this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2023
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I just found out my best friend of over a decade is transphobic. I don't really have more to say. I'm just devastated and feeling really alone.

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[–] ericthered926@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

I’m so sorry, sending love your way. People can change, and it may take you moving on from them and finding more loving and supportive community for that time happen, but it’s not something you can/should be expected to force. You deserve supportive people in your life! They’re out there and ready to accept you with open arms ❤️

[–] HappyMeatbag@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

“Transphobic” is used a variety of ways, and means different things to different people. What exactly do you mean? For example, are they actively hateful, or just freaked out? Is it religious bias?

I imagine they wouldn’t be your best friend if they were a terrible person, so things may not be as bad as they seem. Perhaps it would only take some genuine listening and nonjudgmental education to solve this problem. If handled carefully and respectfully, this could be a great opportunity to change someone’s outlook in a positive way.

[–] silent_g@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

this could be a great opportunity to change someone’s outlook in a positive way.

It could, but I don't have the energy to educate people these days. I might send them some links if I really cared about them, but I have too little time and energy to politely explain for the millionth time that sex != gender. Same reason I don't have the energy to educate flat earthers.

[–] Gavin@vlemmy.net 1 points 2 years ago

But if they are really close friends it might be worth it.

[–] Abel@lemmy.nerdcore.social 1 points 2 years ago

If they don't go out of their way to put a burden on trans' people lives (and I don't think they do otherwise you would have detected that pretty earlier in the decade of friendship), also remember OP that it's always easier to be LGBT-fobic when no one you know is LGBT. They'll have to measure their transphobia and their love for you in a balance. And sometimes, love wins.

[–] akarossa@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago

i feel you! i found out my ex-bf (we still were friends, broke up in a good, mutual way) thought andrew tate or fresh & fit gave great advise and denied any misogyny whatsoever. my world was shook to the core, would never have guessed that. ig if you want you could try to talk to them, idk your situation but i couldn't, i was way to upset. just know its fine to put yourself first and protect yourself, even if it means to cut someone of you cared so deeply about. also i want to say its not your fault for not realising it earlier, sometimes people change. i know for a fact my ex did, still gave myself a hard time over this. i hope you have other friends to help you through this time! 🫂❤️‍🩹

[–] Melody@lemmy.one 1 points 2 years ago

I feel your pain. May you find 10 more friends just as close as the one you lost; who are not transphobic.

Or maybe someday you'll have luck in educating the one you lost. Whatever the outcome; know that you are valid and accepted. Some people just haven't caught up yet.

[–] Theroddd@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago

hug sorry I don't have more to offer.

[–] emi@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 years ago

I recommend this video, it helped me understand how I can hopefully change some people's opinions as time goes on.

How I went from Transphobe to Trans Ally by SquidTips

[–] TheOtherJake@beehaw.org 0 points 2 years ago

Hopefully they grow as a person and change in time.

Growing up in a fundamentalist Christian extremist family, it can be hard to rewrite one's own objective moral code. It takes time and reflection to develop philosophically and emotionally independent of the socially isolated projected/pressured rigid stances that may have gone unquestioned since birth. It took me years of atheism to really take control of my own moral compass independent of any peer pressure and I'm sure I still have room to grow.

I don't mean to project myself onto your friend. I just wanted to say, with some substance: Much love! People can change!