Sir,
The compilers of the Book of Proverbs probably had more pressing concerns than gender identity when they characterised the wicked, the foolish and the wise, but the transgender debate today (letters, Oct 3 & 4) involves the same three kinds of people.
The wicked will hijack any agenda for their own self-interest, and trans rights provide rich pickings. By playing the trans card, misogynists can hound women with impunity, paedophiles can find easier access to children, and rapists can be transferred to women’s prisons.
The foolish see what is happening but cross their fingers and hope for the best. They know the difference between male and female but they hope that by repeating the mantra “trans women are women” loudly enough it will render that difference insignificant. The rest of society is now finding out what has being going on. Surely, they say, people can’t change their sex to circumvent the sex-based protections of women and girls? But if they can, some abusers will.
Lucy Bannerman’s Thunderer was right (“Trans movement has been hijacked by bullies and trolls”, Oct 1). The time has come for our political leaders to show some wisdom before it is too late.
Debbie Hayton. Transgender activist, Birmingham.
* This letter was published by The Times on 5 October 2018: Transgender Debate.
Debbie Hayton 