It's JK Rowling's birthday!!!

[Oliver_W]

Happy birthday to the woman who got a lot of reluctant readers to pick up a book <3

[MB.]

no :love:

[Shaun]

it's...embarrassing how facetious this is

[Captain.Remy]

https://media.giphy.com/media/oesbpxx2cl7lS/giphy.gif

[Oliver_W]

What's wrong with her? She and David Walliams are awesome for getting so many people into books.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/05/david-walliams-jk-rowling-uk-schools

[Jake.]

it's...embarrassing how facetious this is

.

[Smithy]

Swear you make these dumbass threads on purpose

[Oliver_W]

Edinburgh loves JK <3

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeRX2nOWkAEk0xd?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeRYkjFX0AAOAMB?format=jpg&name=small

[Crimson Dynamo]

Beautiful intelligent woman who makes a lot of good points

:clap1:

[Elliot]

Harry Potter was ghostwritten

[DouglasS]

Happy birthday JK Rowling.

Didn’t read the books but I did enjoy some of the films

[Oliver_W]

Harry Potter was ghostwritten

Queen of outsourcing :clap1:

[Barry.]

I knew Oliver was a trans hater.

[Marsh.]

:love:

[DouglasS]

I knew Oliver was a trans hater.

You can be a fan of someone and their work and not support their beliefs..

Next people will be saying anyone who reads Harry Potter is supporting anti trans rights

[Barry.]

You can be a fan of someone and their work and not support their beliefs..

Next people will be saying anyone who reads Harry Potter is supporting anti trans rights

It's more of a joke. I like Harry Potter too.

[Wizard.]

and you know what? she can go ***** herself.

[Marsh.]

and you know what? she can go ***** herself.

She will! With a rolled up wad of cash!!! :clap1:

[UserSince2005]

Old bitch, she must be dinosaur age now.

[Marsh.]

Old bitch, she must be dinosaur age now.

You can't be far behind her x

[UserSince2005]

You can't be far behind her x

nah im young, sexy and full of spunk.

[Scarlett.]

Nah

[Oliver_W]

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/d3/2b/a6/d32ba688c7cec03def95e2bb9d3fd3f5.jpg

Queen of MILFs <3

[Scarlett.]

https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-YH543_rowlin_G_20130724102110.jpg

Queen of TERFS ��

[Oliver_W]

TERF is a slur, let's try to keep it civil:(

[Scarlett.]

Nah it's not

[Doogle]

Supporting a TERF to be edgy is a **** personality trait

[Cherie]

Not a fan of her books or the subsequent films I am struggling to see what she has said that is so bad that warrants the abuse on this thread

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53002557


Maybe there is a lot more to this so am happy to be enlightened

[Oliver_W]

Supporting a TERF to be edgy is a **** personality trait

I'm not supporting her to be "edgy", whether or not she's a particularly amazing writer, her books have encouraged god knows how many people to pick up books who might not have otherwise.

Also, I've not heard or read anything transphobic coming from her?

[Captain.Remy]

"I know and love trans people BUT" is the new "I have a friend who is black so I'm not racist BUT"

Given the backlash she received from so many people is really hinting at what is so bad that warrants it. It was insensitive and not fully thought through, at the very least.

[Elliot]

Like I already hated her with her insulting performative allyship claiming Dumbledore is gay without ever hinting at it in the books or the movies and claiming Hermione was black even tho she cast a white actor for her and describes her white skin in the books. Marginalised people are just an accessory to her that she can brag about on Twitter or whatever so it’s no surprise to me she took the TERF route

[Oliver_W]

Comparing JK's words to the "I have a black friend" defence is pretty daft. She's not actually said anything bad? Referring to transwomen as male might not be polite, but it's not inaccurate or outright offensive, surely?

[Captain.Remy]

Comparing JK's words to the "I have a black friend" defence is pretty daft. She's not actually said anything bad? Referring to transwomen as male might not be polite, but it's not inaccurate or outright offensive, surely?

It's the "I love ... BUT". And after the "BUT" you know something bad is about to be said. We hear/read it way too often from people who want to be woke but hurt a large amount of people in the process.
I suppose you can do some research and talk to transgender people who felt offended, if indeed you can't see what was offensive about it. I'm not here to educate people about what he/she said.

And it's not like the trans issue is the first issue she's globally having. See Elliot's post too.

[Oliver_W]

Like I already hated her with her insulting performative allyship claiming Dumbledore is gay without ever hinting at it in the books or the movies and claiming Hermione was black even tho she cast a white actor for her and describes her white skin in the books. Marginalised people are just an accessory to her that she can brag about on Twitter or whatever so it’s no surprise to me she took the TERF route

I do agree there-the name Hermione Granger may as well be Cracker McIvory. What JK should have said is "I didn't imagine her that way but I support the casting"

[Liam-]

Like I already hated her with her insulting performative allyship claiming Dumbledore is gay without ever hinting at it in the books or the movies and claiming Hermione was black even tho she cast a white actor for her and describes her white skin in the books. Marginalised people are just an accessory to her that she can brag about on Twitter or whatever so it’s no surprise to me she took the TERF route

Yes yes yes

[Niamh.]

"I know and love trans people BUT" is the new "I have a friend who is black so I'm not racist BUT"

Given the backlash she received from so many people is really hinting at what is so bad that warrants it. It was insensitive and not fully thought through, at the very least.Pretty sure it was well thought through. Wanting to protect womens sex based rights does not mean you hate trans people

[Captain.Remy]

Pretty sure it was well thought through. Wanting to protect womens sex based rights does not mean you hate trans people

The "people who menstruate" thing hurt a lot of people, and really if she was a full-on ally like she claims she is, she would have known better before jumping on the topic. It's like, it's always "biological women" vs "trans women" for some of them, as if they were not compatible in the first place.

Talk about reading the room and knowing a big part of Harry Potter's fandom is LGBTQIA+ people...

As Eliott said, it really looks like it has been performative allyship for a while.:shrug:

[Marsh.]

Comparing JK's words to the "I have a black friend" defence is pretty daft. She's not actually said anything bad? Referring to transwomen as male might not be polite, but it's not inaccurate or outright offensive, surely?

She didn't even call them male. She just said trans women and cis women are not the same. Which they're not.

[Marsh.]

Like I already hated her with her insulting performative allyship claiming Dumbledore is gay without ever hinting at it in the books or the movies and claiming Hermione was black even tho she cast a white actor for her and describes her white skin in the books. Marginalised people are just an accessory to her that she can brag about on Twitter or whatever so it’s no surprise to me she took the TERF route

She never said Hermione was black all along. She said Hermione's skin colour was not a prequisite for the character so could be played by an actress of any skin colour.

The fact she gets grief for not limiting the role to white women only is completely bizarre to me.

And although Dumbledore was never explicitly gay in the books or movies, to say there are no hints is not true IMO. He was quite clearly in love wih Grindelwald in book 7.

[Saph]

hag

[Marsh.]

:joker:

[Oliver_W]

The "people who menstruate" thing hurt a lot of people, and really if she was a full-on ally like she claims she is, she would have known better before jumping on the topic. It's like, it's always "biological women" vs "trans women" for some of them, as if they were not compatible in the first place.

Talk about reading the room and knowing a big part of Harry Potter's fandom is LGBTQIA+ people...

As Eliott said, it really looks like it has been performative allyship for a while.:shrug:
The "people who menstrate" thing was pretty stupid, that anyone got annoyed at her for it. Only women can menstrate, and the amount of women who identify as men is tiny, far too tiny to justify a change in language.

Also, lol at "LGBTQIA+" It's LGBT. That covers all deviations from straight and cis.

She never said Hermione was black all along. She said Hermione's skin colour was not a prequisite for the character so could be played by an actress of any skin colour.

The fact she gets grief for not limiting the role to white women only is completely bizarre to me.

And although Dumbledore was never explicitly gay in the books or movies, to say there are no hints is not true IMO. He was quite clearly in love wih Grindelwald in book 7.
How can anyone say there are no hints, the man walks round in rainbow robes and talks about knitting patterns!

[Cherie]

The "people who menstrate" thing was pretty stupid, that anyone got annoyed at her for it. Only women can menstrate, and the amount of women who identify as men is tiny, far too tiny to justify a change in language.

Also, lol at "LGBTQIA+" It's LGBT. That covers all deviations from straight and cis.


How can anyone say there are no hints, the man walks round in rainbow robes and talks about knitting patterns!


It appears women have to take this type of descriptor on the chin without response? ...be quiet or we will stick a label on you and use it to abuse you is how that feels

[Marsh.]

The "You are not trans so it has nothing to do with you" stuff she gets thrown at her is ever so slightly ironic tbh.

[Captain.Remy]

Also, lol at "LGBTQIA+" It's LGBT. That covers all deviations from straight and cis.

LGBT was seen as less inclusive, hence the new acronymn. I don't make the rules over here. Go talk to the manager of LGBTQIA+ people then, Karen.

[Captain.Remy]

She didn't even call them male. She just said trans women and cis women are not the same. Which they're not.

But does it really matter that they're not the same? (assuming they're not the same, as gender goes far beyond physical characteristics) I mean, they're women, end of the story. She chose the words she has used to talk about it, so she can't be mad people felt hurt. Again, it didn't come off right.

[Niamh.]

The "people who menstruate" thing hurt a lot of people, and really if she was a full-on ally like she claims she is, she would have known better before jumping on the topic. It's like, it's always "biological women" vs "trans women" for some of them, as if they were not compatible in the first place.

Talk about reading the room and knowing a big part of Harry Potter's fandom is LGBTQIA+ people...

As Eliott said, it really looks like it has been performative allyship for a while.:shrug:It seems like Biological women aren't even allowed to speak about things that directly effect us anymore

[Liam-]

It seems like Biological women aren't even allowed to speak about things that directly effect us anymore

Trans women existing effects you how?

Trans women have been allowed in women’s bathrooms for example, for years, do you want that to change?

[Oliver_W]

LGBT was seen as less inclusive, hence the new acronymn. I don't make the rules over here. Go talk to the manager of LGBTQIA+ people then, Karen.

There's literally nothing else to include. "Queer" is nonsense and intersex and asexual are completely different to LGBT.

[Captain.Remy]

It seems like Biological women aren't even allowed to speak about things that directly effect us anymore

As if Trans people ever told "biological women" they can't talk about it? When and where exactly?

When I see people thinking trans rights affect women's right, I- :skull:

[Niamh.]

Trans women existing effects you how?
I'm talking about not wanting to be referred to as a menstrator or a cervix haver or a "non-man", I'm talking about protecting womens sports and women in prisons

Is the term "man" being erased like woman is? I haven't heard you being referred to as prostate havers or ejaculators or non-women. Why is it only women being referred to by bodily functions?

[Captain.Remy]

There's literally nothing else to include. "Queer" is nonsense and intersex and asexual are completely different to LGBT.

Again, talk to the manager of LGBTQIA+ people :shrug:

L - Lesbian. Lesbian is a term used to refer to homosexual females.
G - Gay. Gay is a term used to refer to homosexuality, a homosexual person, or a homosexual male.
B - Bisexual. Bisexual is when a person is attracted to two sexes/genders.
T - Trans. Trans is an umbrella term for transgender and transsexual people.
Q - Queer/Questioning. Queer is an umbrella term for all of those who are not heterosexual and/or cisgender. Questioning is when a person isn't 100% sure of their sexual orientation and/or gender, and are trying to find their true identity.
I - Intersex. Intersex is when a person has an indeterminate mix of primary and secondary sex characteristics.
A - Asexuality. Asexuality is when a person experiences no (or little, if referring to demisexuality or grey-asexuality) sexual attraction to people.

+ - The "+" symbol simply stands for all of the other sexualities, sexes, and genders that aren't included in these few letters.

What's so hard to understand?

[Oliver_W]

Trans women existing effects you how?

Trans women have been allowed in women’s bathrooms for example, for years, do you want that to change?

Single sex spaces had to be fought for. I wonder how many women are comfortable with visibly male people in their spaces?

[Niamh.]

As if Trans people ever told "biological women" they can't talk about it? When and where exactly?



When I see people thinking trans rights affect women's right, I- :skull:I mean is this thread itself not an example of women being told to shut up? Have you ever been on Twitter?

You don't think trans rights have affected womens sports?

[Liam-]

I'm talking about not wanting to be referred to as a menstrator or a cervix haver or a "non-man", I'm talking about protecting womens sports and women in prisons

Is the term "man" being erased like woman is? I haven't heard you being referred to as prostate havers or ejaculators or non-women. Why is it only women being referred to by bodily functions?

The term woman isn’t being erased, that’s such a ridiculous myth it’s unreal.

I’ll ask you again, would you like trans woman to be banned from using the same spaces as you do? like public toilets, even though they’ve been allowed to do so for a long time, people who advocate for things like that aren’t trying to ‘protect women’s rights’ they’re trying to take right away from trans people

[Oliver_W]

Again, talk to the manager of LGBTQIA+ people :shrug:

L - Lesbian. Lesbian is a term used to refer to homosexual females.
G - Gay. Gay is a term used to refer to homosexuality, a homosexual person, or a homosexual male.
B - Bisexual. Bisexual is when a person is attracted to two sexes/genders.
T - Trans. Trans is an umbrella term for transgender and transsexual people.
Q - Queer/Questioning. Queer is an umbrella term for all of those who are not heterosexual and/or cisgender. Questioning is when a person isn't 100% sure of their sexual orientation and/or gender, and are trying to find their true identity.
I - Intersex. Intersex is when a person has an indeterminate mix of primary and secondary sex characteristics.
A - Asexuality. Asexuality is when a person experiences no (or little, if referring to demisexuality or grey-asexuality) sexual attraction to people.

+ - The "+" symbol simply stands for all of the other sexualities, sexes, and genders that aren't included in these few letters.

What's so hard to understand?
It's not hard to understand.

The term queer is redundant because LGBT already covers everyone who's not straight and/or cis.

People having dodgy genitals or a hormone inbalance isn't the same as being LGBT, and asexuals don't face discrimination in the way LGBT people have.

The plus is unnecessary because there isn't anything apart from straight, homo, or bi.

[Niamh.]

The term woman isn’t being erased, that’s such a ridiculous myth it’s unreal.

I’ll ask you again, would you like trans woman to be banned from using the same spaces as you do? like public toilets, even though they’ve been allowed to do so for a long time, people who advocate for things like that aren’t trying to ‘protect women’s rights’ they’re trying to take right away from trans peopleI never had a problem with that, i only started having a problem with this stuff when self ID became a thing and suddenly all these transactivists appeared telling anyone who had any reservations about how self ID could be open to abuse, to shut up.

[Scarlett.]

It seems a lot more sensible if there was perhaps a seperate changing/toilet facility for transpeople to use. Because as much as some women are against transwomen in female areas, a lot of transwomen are terrified of using them because it can, quite a lot of the time, lead to them getting attacked and targeted, but they have no choice because asking transwomen to get changed in a male changing room could lead to even more problems.

[Liam-]

I never had a problem with that, i only started having a problem with this stuff when self ID became a thing and suddenly all these transactivists appeared telling anyone who had any reservations about how self ID could be open to abuse, to shut up.

Okay then, so what’s your answer? Do we segregate trans people away from everyone else? Have bouncers do genital checks at toilet doors? Where is the line drawn aside from stripping people of their rights to live freely, like you’re claiming people are ‘trying’ to do to you?

[Scarlett.]

I never had a problem with that, i only started having a problem with this stuff when self ID became a thing and suddenly all these transactivists appeared telling anyone who had any reservations about how self ID could be open to abuse, to shut up.

The problem with self IDing is, you have to self ID for a while for the NHS to clear you for pretty much anything, its a catch 22 situations. It does however leave loopholes for people who want to use it for bad reasons.

Honestly, it would solve problems if they didn't make transpeople jump through 3000 hoops to get hormones.

[Liam-]

It seems a lot more sensible if there was perhaps a seperate changing/toilet facility for transpeople to use. Because as much as some women are against transwomen in female areas, a lot of transwomen are terrified of using them because it can, quite a lot of the time, lead to them getting attacked and targeted, but they have no choice because asking transwomen to get changed in a male changing room could lead to even more problems.

The problem is that would open the doors to all sorts of suggestions and circumstances, what would happen if there was a campaign by straight men to have gays banned from public toilets because they ‘feel uncomfortable’ if we start segregating one minority at the behest of the ‘majority’, where does it end?

[Scarlett.]

The problem is that would open the doors to all sorts of suggestions and circumstances, what would happen if there was a campaign by straight men to have gays banned from public toilets because they ‘feel uncomfortable’ if we start segregating one minority at the behest of the majority, where does it end?

This is true, speaking as a transperson myself though, it would make it a lot easier and safer for those earlier in transitioning.

I'm not talking about a room that literally says 'trans changing room' but perhaps an optional, no questions asked 'private changing room', and honestly, unless the place you are needing to get changed for is an old building, private changing rooms should be the preferred option.

[Liam-]

This is true, speaking as a transperson myself though, it would make it a lot easier and safer for those earlier in transitioning.

I'm not talking about a room that literally says 'trans changing room' but perhaps an optional, no questions asked 'private changing room', and honestly, unless the place you are needing to get changed for is an old building, private changing rooms should be the preferred option.

Personally, seeing as poll after poll shows the majority of women aren’t bothered by trans women having access to their spaces, maybe the ones that are should use a different bathroom seeing as they’re the ones who don’t want to interact or have to be around trans women

[Captain.Remy]

The plus is unnecessary because there isn't anything apart from straight, homo, or bi.

But there is, and it's not for you to say there isn't :shrug:

[Oliver_W]

But there is, and it's not for you to say there isn't :shrug:

How can there be? You're either attracted to the same sex, the opposite sex, or both. There's no "room" for any more, so no need for extra labels.

[Marsh.]

Okay then, so what’s your answer? Do we segregate trans people away from everyone else? Have bouncers do genital checks at toilet doors? Where is the line drawn aside from stripping people of their rights to live freely, like you’re claiming people are ‘trying’ to do to you?

It's just completely counterintuitive to the trans cause imo in fighting for rights to live freely and mocking cis women's right to their thoughts on THEIR spaces.

[Marsh.]

But does it really matter that they're not the same? (assuming they're not the same, as gender goes far beyond physical characteristics) I mean, they're women, end of the story. She chose the words she has used to talk about it, so she can't be mad people felt hurt. Again, it didn't come off right.

Does it matter? Well, yes, if sex based rights are being challenged by self identification.

[Tom4784]

Happy birthday, JK!

[Cherie]

The term woman isn’t being erased, that’s such a ridiculous myth it’s unreal.

I’ll ask you again, would you like trans woman to be banned from using the same spaces as you do? like public toilets, even though they’ve been allowed to do so for a long time, people who advocate for things like that aren’t trying to ‘protect women’s rights’ they’re trying to take right away from trans people

This is a good article thats worth a read...

https://www.economist.com/open-future/2018/07/03/a-system-of-gender-self-identification-would-put-women-at-risk

[Cherie]

Personally, seeing as poll after poll shows the majority of women aren’t bothered by trans women having access to their spaces, maybe the ones that are should use a different bathroom seeing as they’re the ones who don’t want to interact or have to be around trans women

You seem to be fixated on the use of bathrooms or changing rooms which isn’t the major issue at all

[Cherie]

The problem with self IDing is, you have to self ID for a while for the NHS to clear you for pretty much anything, its a catch 22 situations. It does however leave loopholes for people who want to use it for bad reasons.

Honestly, it would solve problems if they didn't make transpeople jump through 3000 hoops to get hormones.

They have to jump through hoops though to protect the person and also to protect the NHS from claims of neglect of duty of care

[Marsh.]

Yeah I imagine removing the "hoops" would cause even more issues. They are in place for a reason, not for the sake of it.

[Elliot]

This is a good article thats worth a read...

https://www.economist.com/open-future/2018/07/03/a-system-of-gender-self-identification-would-put-women-at-risk

The article compares believing you’re trans with believing in god and forcing religion on people.. It highlights that the main dissonance with this discussion is that most gender critical people don’t believe trans identities are authentic and real and don’t trust them. They don’t actually believe trans women are women, otherwise they wouldn’t mind trans women in women only spaces. They insist on sex being real because they believe gender isn’t. Jk Rowling doesn’t see the validity in a trans persons identity and struggle, that’s why people are upset. This video explains a lot of the concerns of trans people I’m regards to this rhetoric and rebuttals far better than I could

6Avcp-e4bOs

[Oliver_W]

The hoops should be there tbh. Transition hormones can cause all sorts of health issues, so it's best that due diligence is taken by the doctors before they're prescribed. The NHS doesn't need endless lawsuits.

On the other end, you get people like Jessica Yaniv abusing the self-ID system. He shouldn't be used as a stick to beat actual transwomen with, but maybe a measuring stick to show what kind of creeps can trickle through.

[Scarlett.]

Yeah, waiting 3-4 years for the first appointment is absolutely, completely necessary, then waiting a further 2-3 years to be even considered for hormone treatment is such a clever idea.

Edit: Sorry for taking that tone, its just annoying, because you have to wait so long to be even seen by anyone

[Marsh.]

Yeah, waiting 3-4 years for the first appointment is absolutely, completely necessary, then waiting a further 2-3 years to be even considered for hormone treatment is such a clever idea.

It's a permanent and life altering change though so surely a process over a few years is absolutely necessary?

[Scarlett.]

It's a permanent and life altering change though so surely a process over a few years is absolutely necessary?

It's more the fact that you have to wait so long to be seen by any sort of professional at all, til then you're sort of forgotten about.

[Marsh.]

It's more the fact that you have to wait so long to be seen by any sort of professional at all, til then you're sort of forgotten about.

Oh well that's something I would absolutely support changes in.

[Ammi]

Yeah, waiting 3-4 years for the first appointment is absolutely, completely necessary, then waiting a further 2-3 years to be even considered for hormone treatment is such a clever idea.

Edit: Sorry for taking that tone, its just annoying, because you have to wait so long to be even seen by anyone

...looking at your post, Scarlett...I was googling and can see how frustrating it must be with the endless waiting time...I mean, it’s a good thing that there are more and more people who feel they want to go through transitioning but in turn that stretches resources and the waiting times for each stage or each appointment...some appointments can be quite simple but the waiting time has been several years...

[Oliver_W]

I still think it's right that the hoops are there and should be jumped through, but the really long waiting time could do with being cut. The danger is that people will buy hormones off the internet, when not only could they be absolutely anything but they'd have no idea what it's doing to their bodies without medical supervision.

Maybe some kind of early filtering process to identify the "trender" and enby types and shove them to the back of the queue to make room for people with genuine dysphoria.

[Withano]

Terf ****

[Niamh.]

It's more the fact that you have to wait so long to be seen by any sort of professional at all, til then you're sort of forgotten about.Yeah thats not right at all

[Scarlett.]

I still think it's right that the hoops are there and should be jumped through, but the really long waiting time could do with being cut. The danger is that people will buy hormones off the internet, when not only could they be absolutely anything but they'd have no idea what it's doing to their bodies without medical supervision.

Maybe some kind of early filtering process to identify the "trender" and enby types and shove them to the back of the queue to make room for people with genuine dysphoria.

They do mention that some people do buy them of the internet, and while they wont stop them, they mention that they must go to the doctors who will advise them on the dosage ect.

[user104658]

Yeah, waiting 3-4 years for the first appointment is absolutely, completely necessary, then waiting a further 2-3 years to be even considered for hormone treatment is such a clever idea.

Edit: Sorry for taking that tone, its just annoying, because you have to wait so long to be even seen by anyone

The lack of proper service provision for people seeking to explore the possibility of transition is an absolutely huge issue, certainly... the problem is that there's an ever-growing number of people who seem to believe that unilateral self ID and completely "skipping a step" in the process is the answer to that, often with a lot of conflation involving an insistance that trans is equatable with homosexuality ("you wouldn't say a child needs service interventions because they say they're gay" etc.).

The complicated truth is that while transexuality obviously is a very real thing, it is NOT as simple as sexuality at all, and there are huge mental health implications for children and adolescents.

I don't think this is an issue that JK Rowling handles well at all, however I also don't think she's ill-intentioned so much as ham-fisted, and now is falling into a trap of (ironically) feeling misunderstood being "egged on" by supporters.

I also think it's a mis-step to ignore women's concerns when it comes to trans rights... even if you don't think the concerns are real. It is, again, musch more complicated than that.

[Tom4784]

I do think that the process has to be quite a lengthy one as I know that it's not uncommon for people to regret transitioning when it's too late to be undone.

It's not easy for trans people who are sure of who they are to be faced with such a long wait but although, ideally, I'd shorten down the time it takes to transition, I think the process as a whole should take a few years with plenty of opportunities to back out if they decide that transitioning isn't for them.