SpanishRed

If Trans People Were Lawyers

Added 2025-02-05 11:26:58 +0000 UTC

Hello, stranger. I heard you’ve been telling people you’re a lawyer.

That’s right.

I don’t agree with you using that label to describe yourself. I’d like you to call yourself a doctor instead.

But I’m not a doctor. I’m a lawyer.

I disagree, and it upsets me to know you’re wandering the world calling yourself one.

I went to law school. I passed the bar. And now I defend people in court every day. That makes me a lawyer.

By your definition. Not mine.

I didn’t go to med school, so I couldn’t really call myself a doctor.

Oh, but you can. I hereby give you my permission.

Who are you again?

I’m Jessica.

Hi, Jessica. Actually, calling myself a doctor would be dishonest, but how does this even affect you? Are you one of my clients?

No.

Have we met before?

No.

Then why do you think you know enough about me to tell me what I do for a living? I’m a little confused that you feel entitled to tell me things about myself when we’ve never met.

Well, I’m an amateur armchair law specialist.

Amateur? So you don’t work in the legal field? Do you work in the medical field?

No.

Can I ask you what qualifies you to tell me what I should call myself?

I have a strong opinion and I’m very, very angry.

That’s quite a visceral response to a complete stranger’s life. Why do you care about my career?

I find it hard to call you a lawyer when you are, in fact, a doctor. I think you should let me call you anything I want because labels are unimportant and words can never hurt you.

Okay. Good talking. I think you should leave my office now.

You’re taking away my right to freedom of speech.

<Silence>

I have every right to stand in your office calling you Doctor.

<Silence>

You’re taking away my voice.

<Deafening silence>