Member-only story
Transgender quislings — dealing with people who actively seek to harm
The question of dealing with collaborators who actively seek to harm a society or community is as old as civilization. The modern concept of Quisling comes from the Norwegian collaborator Vidkun Quisling and his collaboration with the Nazis during their occupation of Norway. That his name is synonymous with traitorous collaboration highlights the depths to which his government stooped, and I would suggest that many of the pick me trans people who are cozying up to fascists are treading the same ground he did.
This is a common problem with minorities who see government oppression baring down on them, hostile policies sweeping up the more radical elements, with collaboration seeming the best option to stave off personal loss of privileges. Those who collaborate face the stark choice between placating an insatiable government who will demand more and more until you have nothing left to give and your minority community which does not have a lot of power but does have the means to resist if you all come together. Trans influencers have long recognised this, with the vast majority siding in some form to build a broader resistance within the community. Those who reject this and decide to collaborate with those who seek to strip trans people of their rights tread a dangerous path.
My sharper point hones in on those who go out of their way to throw less fortunate trans people under the bus. Caitlyn Jenner, Buck Angel, and Blair White are the obvious ones; in the UK writers such as Debbie Hayton have written for right wing publications in the desperate hope that their pick me attitudes will protect them from the gender critics. Blair White worked with Ben Shapiro’s media group for a while, the ultimate alt-right DEI hire who eventually was spat out the other side. Nothing these people do is enough for the far-right, they are tools being used up to show that even the “good” trans folk still need to be removed from society. Helen Joyce, Michael Knowles, and Jordan Peterson have all called for the removal of trans people from society, with Joyce’s comments about no sane society can support trans people particularly egregious. Those who cozy up to them or apologise for this behaviour are excusing fascists.
