Just FYI, this is a direct quote from the guy who some people are now trying to claim is transphobic.

Not understanding something because it’s not a part of your own life does not mean you are ‘[whatever]phobic’ - it means you are ignorant and ignorance is something that can be fixed. And, as you can see here, Dan was clearly expressing an openness and willingness to listen and trying to gain a better understanding of something that he has no personal context for.

Something Tumblr peeps would do well to remember, since you’re so fond of calling others out for anything and everything: your experience is not everyone else’s experience. Dan didn’t grow up when you did, or how you did, or where you did. His context for the world and life in general is entirely different from yours, but he is making an effort to understand and be better.  

You don’t look at that and then say “yeah, but what about the time he said this? that means he’s THIS!” You say, ‘thank you for making the effort, here’s other things it might help you to know’, because fuck knows there are thousands upon thousands of other straight white guys out there who don’t give a single bucket of broken fucks if they hurt your feelings or upset you.  Dan does care. 

Nobody busts up out of the womb being 100% ‘non-problematic’ and knowing all the right words to say or avoid saying.  Calling someone out just so you can label them problematic is absolutely. fucking. worthless., if you don’t also try to help them understand why what they did or said is bothersome. Calling someone out and then not filling the gaps in their knowledge is just you looking for cookies and headpats.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Dan is on our side.