Trump polarises politics but his greatest victory is over PC

Victorians are still getting into a knot about how to describe a transgender person.

Celebrities plan to rally New Yorkers to stand up to Donald Trump on the eve of his inauguration, The ­Australian reports online yesterday:

Organisers said they expected ­thousands of New Yorkers to attend the event, put together by groups including Greenpeace and the liberal activist organisation MoveOn, on Trump’s home turf. The demonstration is intended as a kick-off to organising opposition to Trump’s policies and support for cities taking their own approach on immigration, climate change, healthcare, workers’ rights and other issues. “We are sending a message to Washington that we will fight, at every step, discrimination and harmful policies, today, tomorrow, and every day,” Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo said.

Australia’s right-wing Party for Freedom (Aussies for Trump) plans its own rally for Saturday — complete with a no-beg-pardons flyer:

Our political opponents have threatened to shut down the city in protest. The same calls have echoed across America where anarchists, communists and black lives matter activists are sowing seeds of discontent and public disobedience demanding the undemocratic removal of Trump from office. The Left as per usual has shown its dark and sinister anti-social behaviour opposing democracy and freedom of speech ... across America. Making a stand for democracy and freedom of speech is a universal fight that is a natural response from ­patriots and nationalists. We cannot stand idle and watch the Left occupy our streets, parks and university campuses treading on our civil liberties and infecting the public political arena with lies, hatred and violence.

But Kristen Hilton, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, last week had weightier matters to worry about — a gender identity reporting guide:

Continued misgendering, including using “he/she” or “it” to describe a transgender person without checking their preferred pronoun not only ­reflects a lack of acceptance but can perpetuate ignorance and confusion. This guide will assist the media to ­deliver respectful and accurate ­information.

What sort of useful tips does this guide offer? It includes:

Do ask questions in a respectful ­manner. Don’t ask about someone’s genitals or surgery (unless they give you explicit permission). Do use “transgender” or “trans” as adjectives (for example, a trans man). Don’t refer to people as “a transgender”.

The Safe Schools Coalition promotes a book for children, The Gender Fairy,The Weekend Australian, February 13, 2016:

Author Jo Hirst explains it is about two transgender children who are not fluid and make the choice to socially transition. “Only you know whether you are a boy or a girl,’’ says the ­Gender Fairy, who has a “non-binary gender identity’’.

Not to be outdone, the Victorian Ministry of Equality came up with the Inclusive Language Guide to avoid misgendering, August 2016:

Be aware that some gender neutral pronouns exist, such as “zie” and “hir”. If unsure, you can ask someone ­directly what their preferred pronoun is in a respectful manner ... If you do make a mistake, apologise promptly.

The Guardian on political correctness and how the Right invented a phantom enemy, November 2016:

For 25 years, invoking this vague and ever-shifting nemesis has been a ­favourite tactic of the Right — and Donald Trump’s victory is its greatest triumph.