A student in one of my classes told me that the word “transvestite” must not be used, since it stigmatizes cross-dressers. I said that it was a descriptively accurate term for men who dress like women (and vice versa, although that is less common) and that I had not heard of its descent into a derogatory insult. I will continue to use it where appropriate and necessary.

This raises the question of whether anything should be stigmatized. I argue that some stigmas are good and should be applied appropriately. Otherwise, we will sink in a sea of relativism and antinomianism. …

The rejection of all stigmas means the descent into nihilism and anarchy. Those who say no to nothing say yes to perversity. But even those who rail against stigmatizing, stigmatize those who stigmatize pedophilia and transvestitism, deeming them as phobic or censorious or worse. So, stigma is an inescapable concept for anyone seeking to make significant moral distinctions.

[Exactly. These activists are not against ‘stigmas,’ but want to be in charge of what gets stigmatized. — Ed]