The transgender community has been the target of some nasty things lately, and I wanted to shine the light on why trans people deserve respect.

1. Transgender people, are people.

Everyone deserves common human decency, or so this social justice warrior would like to believe. Transgender people are human beings and that alone should be your main reason for showing them respect. if it isn't and you ignore the fact that trans people are actually human, and if the fact that they are human isn't a good enough reason, how about my next point?

2. Transgender people actually are everywhere.

You heard that right, transgender people, like all people, are not going through some phase, nor are they crazy, and they aren't rare either. I myself know at least six trans people, and they are all my close friends, so that doesn't count the random trans person that I meet in casual conversation. If I counted how many trans people I have talked to in the past week it would be more than ten people. Transgender people are not rare, so they deserve your inclusion and support.

3. Transgender people are many times in a real amount of pain.

Gender dysphoria is an obstacle that many transgender people experience. I have heard the anguish compared to "looking in the mirror and wanting to claw off my own skin." The popular television show Degrassi shows what happens to a Transgender person when they are forced to be their dead self. The character took a red hot piece of metal and burned himself. Gender dysphoria is not fun, and it is a real thing. Transgender people deserve your support and respect.

4. Transgender people are tough.

Almost every trans person I know can tell a story of when their life was in danger because of who they are. Trans people are killed by the dozens every day, and it's all because they want to be who they are. My trans friends are some of the bravest, toughest, most beautiful people I know, and I would personally fight for them any day. Transgender people deserve your encouragement and respect.

5. Last but not least, Transgender people are REAL.

They are your friends, your neighbors, your family. If you say that you love them, but refuse to use their names and their correct pronouns, or if you tell them that you cannot accept them, you are part of the problem. Transgender people work, they go to school, they have kids and families, they love, and they are true to themselves. Why should we punish someone for being true to who they really are? Transgender people deserve your love, they deserve your support and encouragement, your inclusion, and your respect in all things. Be kind, listen, and be respectful. Why is that so hard?