Unequal Equality

[Shana A]

Unequal Equality

Filed By Rebecca Juro | October 05, 2011 6:00 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2011/10/unequal_equality.php

We hear it a lot these days, don't we? The term "marriage equality" is used to describe the right of gays and lesbians to marry, "workplace equality" is used to describe states and jurisdictions which have laws which protect the rights of LGBT workers, national-equality-march.jpgand there's even a national civil rights organization which calls itself "Equality Matters". As common as it now is to hear the term "equality" thrown around with such abandon in our national conversation about American LGBT civil rights, is it really accurate or even fair to describe many of our community's most recent political gains with this term?

Is it really accurate to describe a situation like in New York, Massachusetts, or other states where gay and lesbian citizens now enjoy full anti-discrimination protections and the right to marry, but transgender citizens are denied such basic civil rights protections, as "equality"?

[eshaver]

First, thank you for the post . Second , I wonder the same things myself . I wonder when the stupid "In- fighting will cease and we come together under ONE Umbrella as TRANSGENDER UNITED , Not Pre ops, NON -ops , Post -ops , Gender Benders , Fetishists , and cross dressers ............ ellen

[Steph]

It's quite simple for me anyway...  I don't feel the need to be under any umbrella as I have nothing in common with CD's, TV's or Androgynes.  Being TS is a stage one goes through for those who are diagnosed with GID on their way to a cure.  Once cured we are no longer TS, but simply men or women as the case may be.  The sooner folks realize that the better.  CD/TV/A is a lifestyle whereas GID is a medical condition.

Just saying...

[Shana A]

CD/TV/A is a lifestyle whereas GID is a medical condition.

I don't believe that CD/TV/A is simply a lifestyle, calling it that minimizes the experiences and feelings of those who happen to identify as such. People are born who they are, regardless of where they might be on the gender continuum, and many suffer considerable dysphoria.
Z