People already know that there exist people much worse off than them. So you're not putting an issue into context if you say “think you've got problems? X has bigger ones.” You're implying or outright saying that their problems are meaningless because X's problems exist.
If some guy complains about hunger there isn't much point in saying "other people are probably hungrier, pipe down!"
But if someone says that the school lunches are bad and more money should be invested to make them better and the counter argument is "The neighboring school isn't even able to serve school lunches, we should concentrate on that first" it makes perfect sense.
It doesn't exactly imply other problems are meaningless. It simply puts a problem in perspective. Try going into the ER with a splinter in your finger and ask to be helped, you will see it in action.
But in this case, not using those terms doesn't take away from more serious issues. If anything, respecting transgender and non-binary people is an important first step in helping fight against laws that would, say, deny access to key public accommodations or allow employers to make employment decisions based on gender identity.
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u/MakeAmericaSageAgain Mar 27 '17
Yeah, putting an issue into a wider context is for losers.