There was a diary in which the author expressed her opinion that sexual reassignment is immoral. Two things happened, one is that she received a backlash from the community, and the second is that the diarist apologized, but continued to hold her beliefs. I have strong sympathy for both the diarist and those offended. But I want to take a measured approach, as my own father, a very conservative Hindu, held exactly the same beliefs as the diarist. I don't know the diarist, but I know my father. He is a good man, and he doesn't want to hurt anyone, but as religious people go, he hold strong morals. However, once I explained to him the science for protecting the rights of transsexuals, Im proud to say that he changed his opinion on the subject, and supports the rights of all transsexuals. My advice to the community is rather than attacking the person, we should explain. When we attack, the person will become defensive, and will be immune to any logical argument that follows. she will be only more entrenched in her beliefs. When, I sat my father down and explained to him the facts, he said "I didn't know. Thank you for telling me". My father didn't need to issue a non-apology apology because he UNDERSTOOD. So that is what this diary- its an attempt to get people to understand.
Im not transsexual, I don't know anyone personally who is. But I am a medical student, and I have had some wonderful professors. One of them gave a lecture or transsexuality. He is a psychiatrist and focuses much of his efforts on the transsexual community. He explained how they feel they belong to the opposite gender from a very young age. He explained us how the brain wires our gender in our brain, and how it may not always coincide with our bodies. He explained how unhappy transsexuals are as they are forced to lead their lives in the opposite gender. He told us his patients' words: that it felt to them as if their body didn't belong to them. He explained to us that the strict discipline from conservative parents only increases their depression. Depression and suicide rates are extremely high in this community. He showed us pictures of one of his patients who was born a girl but wanted to live as a boy. In pictures in which his patient was dressed as a girl, he was extremely unhappy. In pictures in which his patient was dressed as a boy, he was laughing it up!
My sister is a pediatrician. She once saw a patient in the emergency room who had just attempted to commit suicide. He was a transsexual, rejected by his family and by society. She saved his life, and tried to get him counseling. But it was too late, the poor boy already had too many emotional scars. His second suicide attempt succeeded.
Now, to those people who think sexual reassignment is immoral. What do you gain from forcing innocent children and innocent adults into a lifestyle of high depression and suicide? What is immoral about wanting to see people smile and laugh?
I feel like what makes me liberal is that: regardless of who we are as people, we should always help our friends and neighbors be happy. Is this immoral?