I agree with you to a certain extent. There is a huge difference between an imperfect ally and a raging bigot, and the language we use often fails to address that nuance. Both can be problematic, but need to be addressed in different ways. For instance, RuPaul and Ben Shapiro have have voiced problematic views on trans people in the past, but RuPaul accepted education from the community and changed his behavior after being called out - he event made an active effort to bring trans people on show show afterward. Ben Shapiro, however, remains transphobic and attacks our community frequently. Trying to reach him is like arguing with a brick wall.

Is what RuPaul said in the past transphobic. Yeah, no doubt. Is he a transphobe? Not necessarily.

I personally reserve the word "transphobe" for people whose bigotry is active and/or impactful. One can exhibit transphobia without necessarily being a transphobe. How we implement the word as a noun vs how we implement it as an adjective is important.

Everyone in our society has been guilty of transphobia at on time or another because of the systemic nature of anti-trans attitudes, but to call one a transphobe, in my opinion, speaks to when someone makes transphobia a part of their personality and personal political agenda.

I can educate someone who is a little bit ignorant or misguided, but dealing with someone who has been radicalized into TERF ideology is an entirely different beast.