ENDA: Why They Downplay The "T"

[Julie Marie]

It's no secret that most of the gay and lesbian acceptance, protection and other social gains are the direct result of gays and lesbians getting out and putting their faces before the public so their true numbers are known.  They could easily hide in this society and live secret lives but enough of them wanted equal rights and risked exposing themselves to prejudice and discrimination so they could be open in society.

Transsexuals do not have the choice of hiding.  Once they begin transition they are out.  And unless they can become completely stealth and manage to avoid a history check nothing, not even starting a new life, will protect them from being discovered.  It's not the same for CDs and TGs.

Within the TG community what percentage are TS?  What percentage are TG?  What percentage are CD?  From what I've read the largest numbers can be found in CDs.  But how many people in this country are CDs?  No one knows.  Why?  Because the vast majority are in the closet and intend to stay there.  The price they would pay for coming out is far more than the gains they would realize by letting society know how many of them there really are.  So they will remain uncounted. 

To what degree does this hold true for TGs?  I don't know.  It seems their numbers could be smaller than CDs or TSs but then there's a lot of confusion as to what a true TG really is.  The definition I heard is someone who has one foot in each camp.  They need to live a male life and a female life, just not at the same time.

Many gays and lesbians cross over into the TG spectrum.  There are gay men who dress effeminately and lesbian women who dress masculinely.  Both could be seen as TGs.  So many of the GL crowd would benefit from an all inclusive ENDA but I don't know how many realize that.

When you look at the poor support we get from HRC and other groups to support an all inclusive ENDA it's easy to see why.  They can only see a very small percentage of our real numbers.  So many TGs are in the closet no one knows what the numbers really are and gays and lesbians may not be focusing strongly enough on the fact that a good percentage of them fall into the TG category too.  All that leads to society seeing TGs as an insignificant percentage of the population and therefore easy to ignore.

What do you think?

Julie

[Jessica]

To what degree does this hold true for TGs

I think there a TON of TG's that don't even really know the term and certainly would not associate themselves with the term.  However, by virtue of their beliefs, how they feel and the kinds of things they support, they would be considered TG if they knew and understood the term.

[Lori]

I would say that sums things up very nicely. There was an article posted here lately that had a Butch Lesbian that looked like a guy and was tossed out of a club or something and couldnt convince the bouncer that she was in fact born female. It was obvious she was treated based on her looks and could have benefited from the T being included in the ENDA bill.

Many Gays and Lesbians are not straight looking normally dressed individuals and could suffer the same resentment as TS based on how they appear or how they look. Unfortunately those in power seem to want to protect those that are straigh laced and look good and "normal".

[Sheila]

Julie,
   We have a lot in numbers, like you said. We are just not counted but when the vote goes down, like for your representative in your area, there will be numbers for him/her or not. We don't have to come out to vote. People who are still in the closet will get the chance to vote and in big numbers. This is why we, who are out, need to say this to our representatives in Congress and the Senate and to every politician. Mighty Joe S. needs to know these figures too. HR3685 will not protect all of the GLB as like Lori said about the lady who got kicked out of the restroom cause the bouncer thought she was a male. He didn't even bother to look at ID. This will happen more often than not. Everyone here should write to their Representative and tell them we want HR2015 and there are a lot of votes out there that are silent. We all have been in this fight for a long time, not just the GLB but all of us and we are all together on this issue.
Sheila

[Julie Marie]

Julie,
   We have a lot in numbers, like you said. We are just not counted but when the vote goes down, like for your representative in your area, there will be numbers for him/her or not. We don't have to come out to vote. People who are still in the closet will get the chance to vote and in big numbers.
Sheila

The problem, Shelia, is the politicians who don't get the votes because they didn't support TG inclusion may not realize why they didn't.  If one wants to stay in the closet, that's fine, but, unless they make it clear why they vote the way they do, the mindless politicians, who live and die by poll numbers, will never know there's a voting group out there that can be very instrumental in getting them elected.  Somehow they need to become aware of that.  We need to be seen as a considerable force in the eyes of the politicians before we can expect to be treated like humans.

Julie

[Lori]

Like what do you propose we do Julie?

[juliekins]

Q. What to do, Julie?

A. Wear a dress to work day! Stand up and be counted-

[Shana A]

A. Wear a dress to work day! Stand up and be counted-

I love it!

Of course, for some of us this could result in stand up, be counted, and then get fired day Oh well <curtsy>

Z

[BeverlyAnn]

Like what do you propose we do Julie?

For those who are able, show up on Transgender Lobby Day in Washington.  If 100 people who are normally activists show up, it's not even a blip on the radar as far as Congress goes.  It takes REAL numbers (voters) to impress Washington.

Beverly

[Sheila]

I would think that you have over 300 organizations that are part of the GLBT and the organizations that were counted are nationwide. These consist of tens of thousands of people. There are little groups who didn't put their two cents worth in and they consist of thousands. These are the votes. When you write your congressman let him know that there are those who are silent and will vote. If you have a Democrat in your district, tell him that most of his/her constituency is or is in favor of the GLBT. Let people know about what Barney and company has done.
Sheila

[Sandy]

This whole thing really pisses me off!

I consider myself an advocate and activist regardless of gender.  I am proud of who I and what I am and I am not afraid to stand up and be counted.  Besides, I already wear dresses to work. 

I have sent emails and made phone calls to Nancy Pelosi, Joe S, and my representatives and senators and just about anyone else I can get a contact for.  To all of these I have identified myself as a transsexual and given information about me so they may contact me if they feel the need.  I am wanting my voice to be heard.

To those few who responded, all I recieved was a form letter.  One of the most infuriating auto responce was from my Senator who's text re-assured me that the Senator was a major signitory of the bill along with Senator Kennedy and was dedicated to ensuring employment rights regardless of sexual orientation!

I sent another letter to this Senator indicting that I appreciated his efforts, but I was most concerned about including the rights of the transgendered as well.

For my efforts, I recieved the EXACT SAME (**(*&^%$$$##W# FORM LETTER!!!

I live in a state that already gives me employment equality regardless of my gender identity, but I cannot allow my brothers an sisters who do not have this right in other states to go without my support and activity!

We need an all inclusive ENDA.  As has already been stated, excluding the transgendered would allow an employer to deny or fire a gay/lesbian not because they were gay or lesbian, but because they were too fem or too butch.  The faux-enda would have no teeth and would be unenforceable.  And of course el presidente would veto either version of the bill.

This gives the impression of a split between the GLB and T communities which is just what the conservitive elements of our society wants.  But in fact it is the action of a few, highly placed individuals such as B.F and J.S. that are the center of this tempest.  Looking at the overwhelming support of given us by so many other GLBT and non-GLBT groups it shows that we are a unified community.

On a personal level the people I personally know, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation, all have solidly been against the faux-enda.

WE ALL MUST SUPPORT AN INCLUSIVE ENDA!  Regardless of your status full/part time CD/TG/TS, closeted or out.  Do what you can, where you can, NOW!

-Sandy (This is really mucking with my bliss!)

[Lisbeth]

Vote!  Vote at the ballot box.  Vote with your pocketbook.

"Don't get mad; get organized."

[MaggieB]

I think the overriding sadness of the debacle is that if T is left out it sends a terrible message to the public.   Some could interpret this act as license to abuse TG folks. It is almost a message that says, discrimination is permissible against TG people. Even if the amended bill pases and GW vetos, what will be remembered is that the biggest controversy was over Transgender rights. When the leadership of the movement doubts TG to be included in major issues, it is a lasting sign of disunity. A very sad development.

[Sarah Louise]

The sadness of the situation is that no matter what the vote, certain parts of society will not change their views.

Sarah L.

[Kate]

I think the overriding sadness of the debacle is that if T is left out it sends a terrible message to the public.   Some could interpret this act as license to abuse TG folks.

That's a great point, but I don't think anyone outside the GLBT community and religious zealots are paying much attention to the story. I have yet to hear it mentioned on any mainstream news network.

Curiously, when talking with non-TSs, I've found that the vast majority of them DO think it's illegal (at a federal level) to fire someone for being gay or TS. So you're right: in some ways, advertising the fact that we have no federal protections isn't doing us any favours.

~Kate~

[Theoneandonly]

To what degree does this hold true for TGs

I think there a TON of TG's that don't even really know the term and certainly would not associate themselves with the term.  However, by virtue of their beliefs, how they feel and the kinds of things they support, they would be considered TG if they knew and understood the term.

Sucks, considering the amazingly easy and swift access to information these days.