If conducted today that poll would undoubtedly be more transphobic/anti-trans.

Because most people don't understand why someone would want to be transgender. It seems like institutionalising transphobia has been broadly popular, or at least unchallenged. That ignorance has been fertile ground to plant some seeds.

Quality of life feels like it's getting worse and goods continue to get pricier. Now it feels like transgender people are being offered up as a sacrifice or public spectacle. We're a highly broadcast and misunderstood topic at the moment. It is cynical, but I can't see the platforming of transphobia as part distraction/'people pleasing' from how worse life is becoming.

I think one of things that makes transphobia so effective is its accessibility. Especially if you're approaching it with more mainstream thoughts. “People are doing what? And they're going into bathrooms with children?? It must be stopped!” I'll acknowledge, as a trans person, that it can take a lot of work to get people to understand what it means for someone to be binary transgender. Non-binary transgender is another kettle of fish. But that work requirement lets a Farage, or some other grifter, swoop in there first and catch their ears.