Are ‘Trans Rights’ and ‘Gay Rights’ Still Allies?

[Shana A]

Updated October 15, 2013 7:25 PM
Are 'Trans Rights' and 'Gay Rights' Still Allies?

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/10/15/are-trans-rights-and-gay-rights-still-allies

The gay-rights movement has racked up some big wins in the past few years. First it was: "Obama Ends 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy." And then: "Supreme Court Bolsters Gay Marriage With Two Major Rulings." But time and again, federal measures to protect transgender Americans have faltered.

Does it still make sense to think of trans rights as part of the gay-rights movement? Or at this point, is it a different campaign with different goals?

[DriftingCrow]

'Trans Rights' and 'Gay Rights': Someday We'll Be Together Again
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-beyer/trans-rights-and-gay-rights_b_4109913.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices
Author: Dana Beyer Source: Huffington Post

John Corvino makes the important point that sexual orientation and gender identity are two independent attributes. I have long taught that [. . . ] it's important that people understand the difference. But in generalizing that difference to the sociopolitical sphere, what he misses is that most Americans view sexual orientation through the lens of gender expression. [. . . ] Most homophobia derives from this distaste for transgressions of gender boundaries and only manifests itself politically as a distaste for homosexuality. The gay rights movement expertly deflected the need to deal with attitudes surrounding gender expression within its own community by marginalizing the most gender-variant gay persons as well as the trans community, and much progress has resulted.

[. . . ] I am heartened by the new focus on gender expression and its significance for gay as well as trans persons, and hopeful that such a focus will force our state and national advocacy organizations to evolve in a manner that will benefit all of us, and in particular the least among us.

[gennee]

Trans people have made some important gains in the past couple of years. I believe it's because trans folks are standing up for themselves, something I've harped on for quite a while. When marriage equality passed  here in New York, GENDA was on the same docket but was overlooked. It's been on the docket for over a decade.

I remember Barney Frank gutting ENDA in 2007 along with Human Rights Commission throwing transgender people under the bus. I have also discovered that there are gay and lesbian folk who still don't understand transgender issues. Shortly after Stonewall, transgender were pushed to the margins because it was felt that the movement by our presence. Well, We started the movement!   

[j.thompsongirl]

I personally feel that for someone to accept that gays are people too, accepting transgendered individuals isn't far behind. Two different issues for sure, but not altogether separate.