disykat said:
I just don't understand the way people think. People are upset that those of us who would choose to switch doctors if we became aware they were transgendered might be going to a doctor who is a closet sex offender, etc. What's your point? I would switch doctors if I became aware of any behavior on their side that was upsetting enough to me to make me uncomfortable. If I didn't know about it, I wouldn't know to switch.
I agree with you completely.
Any reason that you are not comfortable with a physician is a reason to change. That trust has to be there in order for the doctor/patient relationship to work. Many people who responded said they wouldn't have a problem with it, some have said they would and some have said they might (sorry, no rocket science here).
I think one of the reasons this thread took the direction it did was because some responses were along the lines of "I wouldn't want to see a transgendered doctor because a transgender is A, B & C" (I can go back and find the words if it's important but I remember 'confused' for sure). At this point, a lot of people get riled up because an entire class of people is pigeon-holed into having the same set of stereotypical characteristics (that's like me saying I don't want to have a soccer mom as my doctor because we all know that soccer moms care more about their kids more than they do about their jobs).
Then GOD gets brought into the picture and all heck breaks loose.
If you want to change your doctor because you find out he/she is transgendered, great! You have every right to. Personally, I think it's a stupid reason but, of course, you have every right to.
But when someone says, I would change doctors because transgenders are A, B & C, you better be prepared to be challenged:
- Do you know any transgenders?
- Have you read anything about transgenders?
- Have you seen anything on TV about transgenders?
- Does the bible say anything about transgenders?
And when you claim to know what God's views are on a particular subject, then you can just expect to get challenged, period.
And if that this point, someone says "Well, it's common sense that transgenders are A, B & C," I'll tell you it's also common sense that women aren't good firefighters because they don't have the muscle for it or that it's common sense that women get paid less because, really, they spend less time on the job because of their kids.
Yes, I'm ranting but the point is that a lot of "common sense" is based on unfounded stereotypes and a lot of discussion on these lists is also based on unfounded stereotypes OR unthinking, blind faith.
OK, I'm finished for now. And just so I'm CLEAR, I don't believe the bits about women not being good firefighters and soccer moms not being good doctors. I'm just saying those are other examples of stereotypes (taken to the extreme) that don't hold up in light of day.