LISA SALAZAR — BLOG

Disgust is a deeply human emotion. At its core, it has helped us survive—steering our ancestors away from rotting food, diseased bodies, and potential threats. But as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) radio program  IDEAS  recently explored, disgust is more than a survival mechanism. It is also a double-edged sword, wielded by cultures, religions, and politics to define morality, enforce social norms, and exclude those deemed “other.” The  IDEAS  episode titled  Disgust: The Good and Evil  shed light on the complexity of disgust and its troubling potential to drive prejudice. Experts discussed how this visceral emotion, while rooted in evolutionary necessity, often misfires, turning instinct into irrationality. As a trans woman, I have experienced firsthand how disgust can be weaponized—how it fuels transphobia and justifies the dehumanization of people like me. This is not just a personal reflection but a societal challenge: to confront the ways...

Hoping to Reclaim Empathy and Justice in a Polarized World...  In 2016, before Trump won his first term as POTUS, hope was rising—fueled by growing public support, inclusive policies, and increased representation in media and politics. The conversation around transgender rights was no longer on the fringe; it was becoming part of the national dialogue. Yet, the years since have been tumultuous. A rising tide of anti-trans rhetoric, legislation, and cultural backlash has made the journey toward inclusion and empathy more urgent than ever. The Escalating Crisis The state of emergency for transgender individuals has only intensified. Anti-trans voices, once fringe, have grown louder and more organized. Across North America and beyond, legislative attacks on gender-affirming healthcare, access to public spaces, and even the right to self-identify have escalated. The polarization surrounding trans rights is no longer confined to social misunderstandings—it is a coordinated effort to rol...