It's not as if razor sharp, insightful, thoughtful public intellectuals who are transgender are rare. You cited at least one of them here. I read some of them in mainstream publications and on Medium. Hell, I chat with some of them sometimes.

Isn't it wild that the New York Times doesn't seem to be able to tap any of them to write opinion pieces? Same old, same old, though. The Old Grey Lady has been privileging cis/straight voices and marginalizing queer voices forever. They were just as problematic on gay and HIV issues in the 80s and 90s.

It would sure be nice if they'd let queer people speak for a change.

On the topic of autism, by the way, thank you. As a person with autism, I take particular issue with the infantalizing assumption you pointed out.