It’s coming up on two years ago that I wrote an “Open Letter to Cheryl Jacques.” A month after I posted my open letter, Jacques greeted transgender protesters outside of Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) offices with the news that HRC would not support any version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that didn’t include transgender protections. She later wrote:
“passing ENDA without gender identity and expression is like passing a copyright law that covers books and television shows but doesn’t cover digital music or videos.But ENDA is about people’s lives, not MP3s or DVDs. That’s why it’s so important that we have the strongest and most comprehensive bill possible.”
Last Friday I asked whether or not we are one community. I’ve been told more than once that a GLB”T” community just isn’t a reality. Maybe I’ve just been spoiled by living in Indianapolis (I never thought I’d ever utter those words), but our community has been strongly united. During the battle for the Human Rights Ordinance there was NEVER any serious talk of removing gender identity from the list of those protected.
Why do I bring this up again? Another voice is calling for the removal of gender identity from the Senate version of the hate crimes bill. And according to anonymous sources, HRC is flatly refusing to ONLY support a hate crimes bill that has gender inclusive language.
The transgender lobbyists I spoke to on the Hill on Wednesday said that they are being told by Senate offices that the ENDA bill in the Senate will NOT include gender identity.
Even more worrisome is the chatter among many of the other leading GLBT organizations that gender identity will be removed from the hate crimes bill that is currently in committee in the Senate.
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), and the National Organization for Women (NOW) have stated publicly that they will only support legislation that is trans-inclusive. So again I ask, are we unified in this fight for GLBT Americans? It’s a good question to ask, and has been asked many times this week. Unfortunately, HRC isn’t talking.
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
Related posts:
“HRC here in Orlando appears very supportive of trans folks.”
Appears? How so?
“I was invited (and accepted) an invitation to another fund raiser. One the HRC ladies came to Girls Night Out social. And I’ve been invited to serve on the local steering committee. Involvement works!”
The problem isn’t with the local HRC orgs. The money you raise doesn’t stay in your local area. DO you know how much of the money that leaves via your local HRC comes back?
“HRC here in Orlando appears very supportive of trans folks.”
Appears? How so?
“I was invited (and accepted) an invitation to another fund raiser. One the HRC ladies came to Girls Night Out social. And I’ve been invited to serve on the local steering committee. Involvement works!”
The problem isn’t with the local HRC orgs. The money you raise doesn’t stay in your local area. DO you know how much of the money that leaves via your local HRC comes back?
HRC here in Orlando appears very supportive of trans folks. Until I showed up at a meeting last month, trans participation was nil. However, at least six ladies and gentlemen went out of their way to introduce themselves and say how happy they were to see trans folks here!
I was invited (and accepted) an invitation to another fund raiser. One the HRC ladies came to Girls Night Out social. And I’ve been invited to serve on the local steering committee.
Involvement works!
Please keep this thread going regarding ENDA and other legislation pertaining to trans issues.
Thanks!
HRC here in Orlando appears very supportive of trans folks. Until I showed up at a meeting last month, trans participation was nil. However, at least six ladies and gentlemen went out of their way to introduce themselves and say how happy they were to see trans folks here!
I was invited (and accepted) an invitation to another fund raiser. One the HRC ladies came to Girls Night Out social. And I’ve been invited to serve on the local steering committee.
Involvement works!
Please keep this thread going regarding ENDA and other legislation pertaining to trans issues.
Thanks!
I sometimes wonder if the trans inclusion/exclusion item is put on the table before it is asked for by the lawmakers?
Possibly a power of suggestion?
I sometimes wonder if the trans inclusion/exclusion item is put on the table before it is asked for by the lawmakers?
Possibly a power of suggestion?
Anyone know the latest with ENDA and the Senate?
Anyone know the latest with ENDA and the Senate?
I’m TS and living in the Atlanta, GA area. The trans involvement with the local HRC is minimal. I and one other TS do things regularly with HRC. A few other TSs show up sporadically mostly in high visibility things like the annual dinner.
If TSs wish more support from HRC I suggest we get more involved with HRC. When people get to know us they tend to be more supportive.
Nerissa Belcher
I’m TS and living in the Atlanta, GA area. The trans involvement with the local HRC is minimal. I and one other TS do things regularly with HRC. A few other TSs show up sporadically mostly in high visibility things like the annual dinner.
If TSs wish more support from HRC I suggest we get more involved with HRC. When people get to know us they tend to be more supportive.
Nerissa Belcher
[...] read Marti’s post The T Isn’t Silent, But HRC Is. Marti wrote: Why do I bring this up again? Another voice is calling for the removal of gender [...]
http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/?p=1473
“Thanks to Marti Abernathy for posting about this on the transadvocate.com blog, as I’d heard unofficial word from several trans activists that this was once again the fact but was awaiting confirmation.”
http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/?p=1473
“Thanks to Marti Abernathy for posting about this on the transadvocate.com blog, as I’d heard unofficial word from several trans activists that this was once again the fact but was awaiting confirmation.”
Hey Marti,
More updates please! This is obviously a story that needs continuing coverage!!
And hey, this time YOU get to be the one to publicly confirm everyone’s worst fears! Fun job, innit?
Becky
Hey Marti,
More updates please! This is obviously a story that needs continuing coverage!!
And hey, this time YOU get to be the one to publicly confirm everyone’s worst fears! Fun job, innit?
Becky