Perhaps because back then it was thought of as simply a few cases of people changing from a stereotypical man to a stereotypical woman, or vice versa. I think the scariest part for transphobes is people rejecting the sexual or gender stereotypes altogether.
This is interesting to me. I'm not even trans, but I reject the stereotypes. I do maleness my own way. I wonder if I'm scary to them when they learn that. Or maybe it's just the visual stereotypes that matter?
@hosford42 @the5thColumnist @CosmickTrigger Obviously people can't fear what they cannot see, so visual stereotypes do matter, but looking visibly trans is not the only thing evoking patriarchy's ire. At the end of the day, patriarchy is a system of control and anyone who doesn't perfectly fulfill the role it decided upon is marginalized (or subalternized to use the technical philosophy term), so if you do maleness your own way – even if it's very similar to what you're supposed to do – then you're a target and share a struggle with us.
(This is of course not to say that there isn't a very real material difference between people who seem conforming (as is apparently the case for you), people who could conform if they chose to (like me), and people who even if their life depended on it (as it often does…) cannot conform (like trans and non-binary people with very strong gender identities), but we're still on the same side of the battle.)
@zvavybir @hosford42 @CosmickTrigger
I like to think I do not completely confirm to the macho stereotype of maleness even thought I was designated male at birth and think of myself as (cisgender) male.
Daughter of Discord
Richard W. Woodley ELBOWS UP 🇨🇦🌹🚴♂️📷 🗺️
Aaron
zvavybir 
su_liam
Jack the Frosted Count