Fran Lebowitz Defends Trans Rights: ‘Why Do You Care?鈥�
Image: Taken from Fran Lebowitz's website, franlebowitz.com
Fran Lebowitz has come out to defend trans rights, criticising the way discourse around trans rights is 鈥渄riving politics.鈥�
The American author and social commentator, sat down in an interview with , and questioned why trans issues have become a major focus in political discourse.聽
Lebowitz, known for her social commentary on American life, argued that attention should be redirected to more pressing issues such as unfair tax structures and illegal pollution, which have a broader impact on society.
The 鈥楳etropolitan Life鈥� author told The Independent, 鈥淎ctually, I don鈥檛 know why it鈥檚 such a big thing. Because really it affects such a small number of people.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a dangerous thing. I care if people walk around with guns. But otherwise, do whatever you want. Tell me what to call you, I鈥檒l call you that 鈥� if you鈥檙e not hurting other people I don鈥檛 understand [what it鈥檚 all about]. Again, it鈥檚 very extreme鈥�, Lebowitz added.聽
鈥淭his is affecting really no one except the people involved,鈥� the feminist writer continued.聽
Fran Lebowitz on Growing Up Gay
In a 2018 interview with magazine, Lebowitz reflected on her experience growing up gay during a time when she felt it was not recognised.聽
When asked about her upbringing in a small town during the 1950s and 1960s and if she had any gay friends, Lebowitz responded with a striking assertion.聽
鈥淭here was no such thing鈥攖his is what I can鈥檛 explain to people鈥t didn鈥檛 exist. You never saw it. Of course, it must鈥檝e existed, but you never heard about it, you never saw it, there were zero images of it鈥攏ot just in the culture, but in the world鈥�, she stated.聽
She recounted realising she harboured romantic feelings for her female friends around the age of 12.
聽“Well, I suppose if lesbians exist, someone must be one, but why must it be me?” Lebowitz said.聽
Lebowitz expressed frustration with the current prominence of discourse surrounding trans rights in politics.聽
She drew parallels between the political involvement of the right in trans rights and the strategic placement of gay marriage on ballots in the States to drive Republican votes.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e moved on from that on to these trans rights things. Because this is a thing that riles up certain people鈥�, she observed.聽
Lebowitz questioned why the trans issue has gained such significant attention, considering its relatively small impact on the population.
鈥淪o why do you care? You know, it鈥檇 be much better if you pay attention to the unfair tax structure. Pay attention to that. Pay attention to the illegal polluting and all the kinds of stuff that people get away with, that really affects everybody鈥�, she said.聽
