Libertarianism and Trans Rights
by Laurence M. Vance via LewRockwell.com
I have seen a noticeable increase in the use of the term “trans rights” this year. How libertarianism relates to the rights of transsexuals is something that I want to briefly explore.
By libertarianism I don’t mean the simplistic and erroneous “fiscally conservative and culturally liberal.”
By libertarianism I mean libertarianism. Not thin, thick, brutalist, humanitarian, moralist, consequentialist, modal, conservative, socialist, cosmopolitan, cultural, theocratic, neo, bleeding heart, consequentialist, deontological, second wave, millennial, anarchist, minarchist, or sophisticated—just plain old plumb line libertarianism.
Libertarianism is the philosophy that says that people should be free from individual, societal, or government interference to live their lives any way they desire, pursue their own happiness, accumulate wealth, assess their own risks, make their own choices, participate in any economic activity for their profit, engage in commerce with anyone who is willing to reciprocate, and spend the fruits of their labor as they see fit. As long as people don’t violate the personal or property rights of others, and as long as their actions are peaceful, their associations are voluntary, and their interactions are consensual, they should be free to live their lives without license, regulation, interference, or molestation by the government.
Therefore, according to libertarianism, trans individuals have two fundamental rights.
One, because everyone owns his own body, he should be free to think whatever he wants to think and do to his body whatever he wants to do. Consequently, trans individuals have the right to think they belong to the opposite sex, wear clothing of the opposite sex, inject whatever hormones or drugs they want into their bodies, have parts of their body surgically removed, and alter their bodies as they see fit.
And two, because the libertarian non-aggression principle applies to everyone and every situation, trans individuals have the right to be free from harassment, hostility, molestation, oppression, violence, brutality, assault, and murder.
That’s it.
So, to trans individuals, libertarianism says—
Fair use excerpt. Read the whole article here.