LGBTQ+

If they're your best friend, they should be able to listen to you.

I used to have many shit opinions, and it took a lot of friends and a lot of conversations for me to change. It's hard. But it's thanks to them that I get to step into the best version of myself and be able to give back... Just know you are in a unique position to maybe get through to them, if they're willing to listen.

That being said... I'm so sorry. I've lost close family to bigotry and it sucks. It's the betrayal that's the worst part. It's like... I know you aren't like this, so how did you get this way? Just sucks

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 ❤️

hug sorry I don't have more to offer.

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! 🫂❤️‍🩹

I'm so sorry.

On the opposite side from what others are saying (though I don't disagree with them), it's not your responsibility to fix them or change their mind if it would risk your safety... even if you have the means. It's a difficult position, and it could create even more resentment. You're a part of your community, but you have to keep yourself safe, too.

🫂

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

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!

I'm so sorry. Many people harbor these kind of beliefs and just keep them to themselves. Cracking open a door into someone's heart and finding darkness there is always devastating. I've been betrayed by a lot of people this way - people who are ready to smile and make nice but secretly think you're delusional and that trans people just decide to be trans so we can get attention (oh, we get attention all right - the bad kind!) and be professional victims or some such bullshit. These people are deeply insecure and angry - possibly even resentful - when they see trans people thriving. Like all bigots, they are projecting their own emotional baggage onto you.

Unfortunately, we can't control other people's behavior; we can't force others to rightfully embrace love. We can only control ourselves & our own reactions. If you feel it's safe to continue associating with this person, and you want to do so, you can attempt to educate them (with the caveat that this will be a soul-crushing experience regardless of whether you change their mind - and you may never change their mind). Otherwise, you should distance yourself from this person and aggressively tend to yourself and your spirit during this time. For every bit of pain you felt finding out this horrible truth about your friend, love yourself tenfold. Love yourself in spite of this. Love yourself a thousand times more deeply for hearing this. Seek out joy & comfort from friends and activities that enrich you. Allow yourself to grieve the relationship you thought you had with this person, and then strengthen the relationships of those who love you for who you are.

Take care of yourself now and always, my friend. Sending love & light your way.

I'm so sorry. Just know that there are lots of people out there who hasn't fallen pray to the hate propaganda and would be proud to call you their friend. hug

“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.

Hugs from a stranger should you want it

I'm so sorry. Sending you peace and love

Ugh. I'm so sorry :(

Is there any chance the recent media frenzy has given them a perspective when they didn’t feel strongly before? Any chance they can be swayed to recognize trans people aren’t hurting anyone and are just living their lives?

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It sounds incredibly difficult and frustrating.

Internet hugs.

New best friend time!

Sorry to hear you're feeling that way, OP, but just know you'll find better people out there.

I'm so sorry to hear that I was in your exact position very recently and I know it's very tough. I'm trans and my former best friend was incredibly transphobic and I have no contact with them anymore.

All the love to you and feel free to message me if you need to talk with someone <3

I went through the same thing. It SUCKS. I’m so sorry.

I really hope they can find it within themselves to be more accepting of the lifestyles of others. Most people in my family are like that. I don't spend a lot of time associating with them because of it.

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.