@Saupreiss @Melissabeartrix To me, it’s far more simple than all that.
A friend of mine is big-time into cars. A pro. When I tell him about that sound my car makes, and he says to take it to the shop, I’ll believe him. Because he knows what he’s talking about.
When a trans person tells me that someone is being an asshole, I’ll believe them. They’re having to deal with assholes all day, every day. They know what they’re talking about.
This strategy has never failed me.