http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/15/transgender-rights-movement_n_4448993.html?utm_hp_ref=transgenderAuthor: David Crary Source: Huffington Post via AP
As gays and lesbians rack up victories in their quest for marriage equality and other rights, transgender Americans are following in their path — hopefully, but less smoothly.
There have been some important legal rulings and political votes in recent months bolstering transgender rights. But those have coincided with an upsurge of hostility from some conservative activists and an acknowledgement by transgender-rights leaders that they face distinct challenges in building public support for their cause.
[...]House Speaker John Boehner has indicated that his Republican-controlled chamber may not take up the bill [EDNA], and much of the criticism directed at it by social conservative activists has focused on transgender-related matters.
However, Dru Levasseur of Lambda Legal questioned the notion that — in the court of public opinion — transgender rights was a tougher sell than gay rights. The key to winning more acceptance, he said, was a willingness by transgender people to share the stories of their lives. "Being who you are — being brave enough to be yourself. People can relate to that," he said.
