I think with the old school Trans Folk, its not always a conscious choice to be exclusive. Their Process and experience has been so much different. Many went through so much gatekeeping to get where they were, they now have a bit of elitism when it comes to "true trans experience". I dont think its necessarily intentional, but they were so indoctrinated that "this is the only way" it has been difficult to get them to see that the newer generations don't have to conform to the box they did. Gender variance has increased, surgeries have improved, and options have changed. Rules and regulations have laxed, and people are starting to get used to seeing trans people in the main stream. I think some of them just need to talk to more Non-Binary and non surgical trans people and understand. I really don't think that with most of them this exclusion is intentional, but yes, it is a problem. Accepting people who choose not to go a non medical / Nonsurgical route perhaps makes them face the hard reality they may of taken their transition farther then they really wanted to in the effort to comply with the norms at the time. Those are hard mental barriers to overcome. I don't write all that to excuse the action, but maybe help to frame discussions with these people in our lives and circles and understand why they see things as they do.

This is a good essay and also and important observation!