Feds drop request to rein in ban on Obama transgender policy

[AngieT]

Feds drop request to rein in ban on Obama transgender policy

http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2017/02/feds-obama-transgender-policy-234928

Politico/Josh Gerstein  jgerstein@politico.com  @joshgerstein

If anyone had any doubts about the future of trans rights under the Trump administration, this kind of clarifies where we're headed.  Am I ever glad all my paperwork was completed. 

[jentay1367]

Actually, the article is pretty ambiguous.  Regardless, I understand your concerns. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It's all we can do.

[Sydney_NYC]

Some good news though is that the EEOC ( Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ) is still fighting for us, but the question is how long?

The Justice Department Is Taking A Step Back From Efforts To Protect Transgender People Under Existing Law

The department withdrew a request on Friday that a federal court limit an injunction that has halted enforcement of existing civil rights laws to provide protections for transgender people. An independent federal agency (EEOC), however, continued to press ahead in its pro-transgender legal position in another case.

[Rambler]

I think this election season had a lot to do with me coming out when I did. I'm terrified of transitioning under this administration, I'm just grateful to live in a state where transgender individuals are protected.

[itsApril]

Some good news though is that the EEOC ( Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ) is still fighting for us, but the question is how long?

The EEOC has five commissioners that serve staggered terms.  There is currently one vacancy, subject to Presidential appointment.  Also, Commissioner Jenny Yang, who has been very sympathetic to LGBT people, has a term that expires July 1, 2017.

In short, Trump will very rapidly be able to turn the majority of EEOC.  Expect the direction of EEOC to turn sharply in an unfavorable direction.  And soon.

[Devlyn]

That doesn't make sense. Southern men may be  afraid of us (or their wives) but a New Yorker isn't. Too much overblown hype around here lately.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Deborah]

Trump has appointed multiple cabinet positions to people with explicit and public anti-LGBT  views.  It seems pretty clear that he is rewarding his supporters regardless of his personal opinion.  That's not really hype.  It's simply what is.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Devlyn]

Before we had a Trump, North Carolina shot a HB 2-sized hole in the bottom of their boat, and it's sinking. Trump advocated for state's rights, and  he's  perfectly willing to give them enough rope to hang themselves.

I'm a Republican, I know lots of Republicans, and  our Republican representatives up here in Massachusetts aren't the bible thumping haters making the daily entertainment, er news, cycle.

I don't put down Democrats even though I don't support their views. Can we get that respect to flow both ways?

Hugs, Devlyn

[Tessa James]

Many of us are not at all surprised by this announcement and that this action does not follow all the words used by the current administration and their supporters in an attempt to placate or reassure the LGBTQ community.  Don't worry, Ivanka will save us!   The administration appointees, from Mr Pence on down, feature a clear record of opposition to equity and civil rights for this community. 

This is not about political parties for me it is about taking action that protects transgender CHILDREN and students in schools across the country.  I am a college trustee and know that discrimination regarding gender identity and expression happens on school campuses right now and impacts people every day.  It is time to resist, speak up and get engaged.

[Deborah]

Before we had a Trump, North Carolina shot a HB 2-sized hole in the bottom of their boat, and it's sinking. Trump advocated for state's rights, and  he's  perfectly willing to give them enough rope to hang themselves.

I'm a Republican, I know lots of Republicans, and  our Republican representatives up here in Massachusetts aren't the bible thumping haters making the daily entertainment, er news, cycle.

I don't put down Democrats even though I don't support their views. Can we get that respect to flow both ways?

Hugs, Devlyn

The entire country isn't like New England.   The culture in other parts of the country is a lot different.  And yes, I have lived in both parts and spent four years in college near NYC.  I was even born in Massachusetts.

I know lots of Republicans too.  I know the one in my former church that plainly stated that All homosexuals should be unconditionally killed.  I know the one in my office that said he would shoot the first trans person he saw in a woman's restroom.  I know another that says we are freaks that should be beat back into the closet.  I knew another who happened to be my mother that was always quick to express her disgust at the mention of anything LGBT. 

You ask me to respect that?

Bible thumpers for you are nightly entertainment from a far off land.  For many of the rest of us they are a daily lived reality.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Devlyn]

"You ask me to respect that?"

No. I'm asking you to  not lump me in with those people.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Deborah]

I recognize that there are republicans who are decent people.  I take each person individually and even the indecent ones I treat with respect in person.  The fact remains that they are enablers for those who would deny us our existence. 


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Michelle_P]

"You ask me to respect that?"

No. I'm asking you to  not lump me in with those people.

Hugs, Devlyn

Devlyn, I think almost all of us don't lump you in with any of the nastier affinity groups in society.  You're obviously a good person.

I was a member of a major political party until a few years ago.  The county chairperson actually had me struck from the rolls, when I refused to swear an oath of fealty to her, personally.  She wanted all persons going to the state convention to swear to vote only as she directed.  That sort of defeats the purpose of a vote, in my humble opinion.  I protested this in a general meeting and made her uncomfortable before others, resulting in my banishment.

This is the same person who, more recently, promised me that I would be one of the first ones sent to the camps once the new administration was in place.  It's nice to know that some members of the apparatchik have plans worked out.  I wonder if they'll be teaching basketweaving or macramé in her camps?

There are good and decent individuals in all political parties.  The ones in power at any given time, enabled by the members of their party, are the ones that make me nervous.  I don't know why they might do in the interest of appealing to their base.  Certainly they are not concerned about getting MY vote if they do not consider me part of their base.  If I am not in their base I am just part of the Other, the outsiders traditionally daemonized to provide a common enemy for the base.

Since I am not part of the current administration's base, I can be reasonably sure that anything done that is favorable for me is purely accidental, as there is no interest in currying my favor.  There are other factions within their base for which actions favorable to them would be unfavorable to me.

This makes me wary.  As someone transitioning in public and an activist, I might be considered a target by certain factions.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Devlyn]

Big hug! Thanks, Michelle, but I've already been informed that there's a special place in Hell for transgender people who vote Republican.

Fortunately for me, that special place is at the right hand of my Father.   

Hugs, Devlyn

[RobynD]

It's gone so far beyond political parties and it is all about the manufactured clash of cultures and faith/religion being used as part of the manipulation. For many reasons and motives: money, power, and a desire to remold society into a dominance "party" of one group over another. In part, this has been on segment society's reaction to more diversity, and potentially a more democratic and inclusive society.

There are great republican people for certain. It just so happens the vast majority of the "bad guys" and those that would do us harm choose to fly that elephantine flag. The party of Eisenhower didn't deserve that.