Hi there,
I was having a deep conversation with my FtM friend about how, after several years of transition, I now feel the same level of suspicion and hesitation around trans men as I do around cis men. They're all men and I'm unfortunately afraid of them all due traumatic experiences as a child and adult. I think both trans men and cis men are capable of great harm to women, cis and trans, and don't want to pretend this isn't the case.
My FtM friend heard me out but seemed disappointed in me, even suggesting this was kind of a transphobic thing for me to say. They said it wasn't fair to be afraid of a whole group of people, especially if that group is oppressed themselves, and that anyone is capable of harm. Personally, I think this is wrong and ignores why things like misogyny, racism, classism and ableism even exist in society but whatever.
The thing is, I used to think trans men were safe and would never engage in misogyny or toxic stereotypes but I've learned through experience that they can and sometimes definitely do. If anything, surely thinking FtM people are fundamentally non-threatening is the thing that would be transphobic?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
(For context, I'm very aware my fear of men is informed by trauma and I receive therapy for this).