Several people have taken offense at that comment, so I should address it.What? How do you exactly do they earn that? I thought being a functioning member of society was enough but aparently there is something that im missing here. I really want you to explain yourself because it sounds really problematic in the way you phrased it.
Basically, as human beings, everybody is afford some level of dignity and respect with regard to how they deserve to be treated. I acknowledge that even when they deserve to be treated such, it is not always something that happens. That is a bad thing, and I will fight as hard as anybody to put an end to such practices.
But I think the trans community's sensitivity tends to want more than they are naturally entitled to as fellow humans. It extends to, and beyond, having to agree with them on many controversial subjects, and being punished for suggesting things that the community has deemed offensive. I get that words like "tranny" and "ladyboy" are hurtful words that have no place in polite discussion, but I don't get why saying that "girls have a vagina" is such an offensive statement that it deserves the vitriol and aggression it gains in response.
The trans community has decided to frame this behavior as one of respect. I don't think that's completely honest, but the impression I get is that if you disagree with the trans community, you are transphobic, an asshole, and somehow ignorant. I find this odd because a great many of the things they consider an immutable good haven't properly been discussed and agreed upon by those outside the community. It's good for them, sure, but is it good for everybody? Nobody knows because everybody aren't invited to the table to talk about it.
In short, the trans community dictates the terms for interacting with it with an iron fist. It can be quite oppressive and sometime frightening. If it is a problem of respect, I do not think they've earned it.
I think a transgendered person is a human, and as such deserves all the praise and glory that comes with such a privilege. But they are also just a human, and that comes with a lot of insecurities, anger, and resentment as well. I think the trans community is filled with insecurity, anger, and resentment - I don't see how anyone could suggest otherwise - and I think those lesser qualities have informed many of the public policies they have adopted. I'm not saying they are wrong. I'm saying they could be wrong, and because they won't let anyone question them, they have put a cooling effect on true discussion about their community and how it should be treated.
Long story short, people are afraid to engage them, and I think they like it that way. I have a problem with that.