Thank you Doctor for sharing your humanity and journey. You point out that despite the personal “triumphs” of overcoming a mother (who sounds very upper crust British — children should be seen and not heard), and the transphobic packs, the outside danger is real for merely expressing and sharing your humanity. Instead of taking your reevaluations, like the hearing loss to your students, as a sign of growth and honesty that is needed to function in the classroom, your mother was worried about appearances and judgement. Yet, though her opinion is revealing of how social mores are repressive, she isn’t as dangerous as the some conservative white MAGAs in America who are heavily armed. I find that those people bring up God when they are backed up against the wall and feel threatened when confronting “otherness,” as the pull out the God card instead of reasoning and discussing.
Humanity can never be united in acceptance of others “othering”. But many can connect and relate to your suffering and overcoming that serve as a model for those who need it, or, like me, who are just glad to learn about the richness of human diversity. Your views are much appreciated.