Debunking some transgender myths

Attitudes and acceptance of full equality for gay and lesbian individuals have changed so dramatically in recent years.   And now we're on the wave of similar changes concerning transgender individuals -- along with similar myths that need to be debunked.

Yesterday, the American Medical Association adopted the position that there is "no medically valid reason" for excluding transgender individuals from military service.

Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee doesn't agree, apparently -- or, at least, he's using the issue to pander to the ignorance of his political base.   People like Huckabee disregard the truth in favor of the lie that will rouse the righteous indignation of people who vote for them.

Maybe I have overestimated the intelligence of this former preacher, former governor of Arkansas, former Fox News talking head, and purveyor of a quack diabetes "cure."   The myth that Huckabee is peddling (besides the diabetes 'cure') is that trans women will use the girls' restrooms in schools and be a sexual threat to the little girls.

Huckabee is playing on the misconception that a trans woman is still a man with a man's sexual desires, dressed up in women's clothes.   I guess that is about the level of creepy ignorance we'd expect from an Arkansas preacher and Fox talk show host -- either ignorance or even creepier manipulator of ignorant people's prejudices.

There was a time early in his 2008 presidential primary campaign that I found him refreshing, even while I disagreed strongly with his policy positions.    But he has not worn well, and now he just seems like another profiteering, sleazy, ex-preacher out to make a ton more money.

Forget it, Mike;   2008 was your year, if there ever was going to be one.

Ralph 

[Late night note]   What is it with these preachers?   Evangelist Franklin Graham hates gays so much that he's made a big story out of changing the bank that handles his huge empire because Wells Fargo supports LGBT rights.    So -- he moved his money to the North Carolina based BB&T bank.    Funny thing is that BB&T sponsors the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade, and he announced this news on the very LGBT friendly Facebook. 

Maybe he didn't know.   Or maybe he's just hoping that the attention span of his base will click off after they hear the first half of the story.