Each day, society slides further away from reality and toward a blanket acceptance of emotion over fact. Increasingly, the subject of transgenderism is protected from the truth. Arguments that counter the claims made by individuals who reject their biological makeup are seen as nothing more than pure hate speech.
The tendency to bully others on social media should never be tolerated. Often, this tactic is used by those who are entirely incapable of cogent discussion. But when it comes to the trans issue, honest conversation that is not rooted in bullying is gradually being shut out. This is a harmful development.
On Twitter, a new addition to their terms of service section covering prohibited behavior includes the following, and has conservatives raising their eyebrows:
Essentially, this online rule forbids users from calling someone by the “wrong” gender or by using their original, now unwanted, birth name. This behavior is now listed under “hateful conduct” and considered degrading. While this rule is specific to the often-wild online world of Twitter, it says much about the future.
As of 2016, the estimated number of transgender individuals was 0.6 percent of the U.S. population, or roughly 1.4 million adults. These people, though no less unique and precious than anyone else, represent a seemingly growing, yet still confused, minority. Frequently, instead of responding to gender-related dysphoria with scientific fact and suggesting professional medical care that doesn’t involve sex change surgery, a full embrace of the mental delusion takes place.
With its latest policy change, Twitter is not suggesting that all of its users do the latter, but requiring it.
Individuals of any political stripe should not alter purely factual speech to meet the demands of a political-correctness-obsessed media platform. Transgenderism is a mental illness that deliberately ignores the intrinsic qualities of each human being and declares that their God-given form has little to no value. Ignoring the damage it causes only contributes to the ongoing societal breakdown. If we declare the worth of unborn life and defend its scientifically-supported beginnings, it only follows that we must do the same when it comes to those suffering from gender confusion.
Yes, conservatives should support businesses, both large and small, as they make their own decisions. It is not necessary that a company’s rules of conduct align with our own. We must also not encourage the government to get involved in a private business matter, so long as the behavior is not illegal. In the case of Twitter, though, conservatives must recognize that their voices are not just being shut out of the conversation, but labeled as “hateful” simply for following the facts.
No one on the Right should be surprised by the increasingly stringent rules on social media. Silicon Valley is and always will be dominated by leftists and their agendas. As we’re well aware, these supposedly inclusive platforms meant for free and open communication are often anything but that. Instead, they are tools to highlight certain narratives and diminish others. The reins may be tightening, but nothing has really changed.
This brand of ideological alienation is not limited to transgenderism. As the list of acceptable speech continues to grow shorter, conservatives must finally decide how they’ll respond.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
