Spiral of Silence and trans misogyny

I stumbled onto the [Spiral of Silence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_of_silence) theory today. From Wikipedia:

Spiral of silence theory describes the process by which one opinion becomes dominant as those who perceive their opinion to be in the minority do not speak up because society threatens individuals with fear of isolation.

The whole article is worth reading, but it’s apt to describe the Tumblr’s pro-transgender, anti-feminist hostility. 

The elements linked to the Spiral of silence

• Threat of isolation: “society threatens isolation for those individuals who violate the consensus”. For instance, “DID YOU KNOW YOU JUST REBLOGGED A TERF?” or “Ew, I was following this cool artist, but she’s a TERF”
• Fear of isolation: “Essentially, people fear becoming social isolates and thus take measures to avoid such a consequence” People see this shit happening, but they’re afraid if they confront it they will also be isolated.
• Willingness to speak out: Those who perceive their opinion is in the majority are willing to say rude shit to the rest of us because they believe that type of ‘communication’ is sanctioned by the majority.
• Quasi-statistical sense: The innate sense of the public’s opinion. Popular Tumblrs have the ability to sway this because their audience is large and so seemingly speak for many voices. 
• Pluralistic ignorance: “The majority of people in a group may privately disagree with a norm, but publicly support it, because they believe that the majority accepts it." 

Overcoming the silence:

”… people who are highly educated, or who have greater affluence, and the few other cavalier individuals who do not fear isolation, are likely to speak out regardless of public opinion. It further states that this minority is a necessary factor of change while the compliant majority is a necessary factor of stability, with both being a product of evolution. … This theory calls these vocal minorities the hardcore nonconformist or the avant-garde. Hardcore nonconformists are “people who have already been rejected for their beliefs and have nothing to lose by speaking out.”

I don’t believe for an instant that most trans people are misogynists, but in order for us to turn this around and change the public opinion MORE OF US NEED TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE ABUSE!

We aren’t alone; we aren’t isolated; we aren’t the minority. We are the majority!

And we are just as entitled to enjoy this space without harassment and constant threats of violence. We are going to reclaim it, and we are not going to be stopped.