2008 Woodie Awards
Between the Lines: Bill leaves out transgendered
Jennifer Morgan
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: Opinion
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I will never be able to fully comprehend how hard it is to live knowing that you are in the wrong body. To live as a man because that is who you know you are, but look in the mirror and be forced to look at a face of a female.
I will never know what it is like to be a man who likes to put on articles of women's clothing. I won't be able to understand why the cross-dresser or transvestite feels that they need to wear articles of the opposite gender's clothes because I have not had to face this dilemma.
My knowledge of this community is limited, because although I have had to question my sexual orientation, I have never had to question my sexual identity.
However, they are an important part of my community and I have to stand up for them.
What Congress is attempting to do is ask us, the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual community, to choose between having a shot in passing this non-inclusive version of ENDA, or supporting our family in the transgendered community.
Many are saying that we will lose our first real shot at freeing ourselves from discrimination in the workplace if we say no to the revised legislation.
Here is what I say: TAKE YOUR PITIFUL ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE MY COMMUNITY AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR REAR.
Forgive me, but once again Congress is attempting to tell us that one group is better, or more deserving, than the other.
Sixty percent of the transgendered community makes $15,300 or less. That means that there is sixty percent of a community in America that makes far below the poverty level because of employment discrimination, and Congress, in its infinite stupidity, is going to actually say, "Well, hey, there just aren't the votes."
It's not an excuse. At least not one I'm even remotely willing to accept.
I will never know what it is like to be a man who likes to put on articles of women's clothing. I won't be able to understand why the cross-dresser or transvestite feels that they need to wear articles of the opposite gender's clothes because I have not had to face this dilemma.
My knowledge of this community is limited, because although I have had to question my sexual orientation, I have never had to question my sexual identity.
However, they are an important part of my community and I have to stand up for them.
What Congress is attempting to do is ask us, the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual community, to choose between having a shot in passing this non-inclusive version of ENDA, or supporting our family in the transgendered community.
Many are saying that we will lose our first real shot at freeing ourselves from discrimination in the workplace if we say no to the revised legislation.
Here is what I say: TAKE YOUR PITIFUL ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE MY COMMUNITY AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR REAR.
Forgive me, but once again Congress is attempting to tell us that one group is better, or more deserving, than the other.
Sixty percent of the transgendered community makes $15,300 or less. That means that there is sixty percent of a community in America that makes far below the poverty level because of employment discrimination, and Congress, in its infinite stupidity, is going to actually say, "Well, hey, there just aren't the votes."
It's not an excuse. At least not one I'm even remotely willing to accept.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Renee
posted 10/09/07 @ 7:51 AM CST
Please note that a transsexul man is actually a person who goes from a female phenotype to a male phenotype. Also known as a transman.
A transsexual woman is a person who goes from a male phenotype to a female phenotype. (Continued…)
Lea
posted 10/09/07 @ 9:03 AM CST
So much for "Liberty and Justice for ALL," huh?
When will people get it through their heads that by excluding a group of people, we put ourselves at risk? We allow the government to ignore the rights of a group of people, and before long WE'RE the group of people who's rights are getting ignored. (Continued…)
Mara Drummond
posted 10/09/07 @ 3:07 PM CST
Thank you for standing up for all of our rights. Very well said! Mara
Zoe Brain
posted 10/10/07 @ 9:11 AM CST
Maureen, you have a better idea than you know.
You can imagine how it feels to have facial hair sprouting instead of breasts at age 14. You can imagine what it is like to be shunned by other girls in your pre-teens, after all, you look like a boy. (Continued…)
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