It’s over, what’s does it mean for transgender people

[LizK]

Who cares, I mean seriously? I transitioned 20+ years ago when there was no protections, no nothing and despite that I managed to do alright for myself in the next few decades.

I would suggest the 25+ Trans people who have been murdered this year in the USA...I would guess they probably would have cared. But they can't...


Liz

[sarah1972]

Who cares, I mean seriously? I transitioned 20+ years ago when there was no protections, no nothing and despite that I managed to do alright for myself in the next few decades. I didn't need laws or anything else, just my own wits. No one is going to put a gun to your head and tell you can't take hormones or have SRS surgery, so who cares? Just live your life and be happy.

There are two ways of looking at this. Primarily we all want to live a normal life as our identified gender. I do applaud your courage having gone through this process 20 years ago and I am grateful for every single transgender before me since you all have paved the way for us who only recently discovered our identity.
Some of what I am about to write is primarily focused on the US, I know things are different in other countries.

There is, however, one difference why it matters much more today, especially in the US. Several years ago, being transgender was just not a topic in the public. This has some advantage with regards to people not knowing and not caring. In recent years, being transgender has become a very controversial discussed issue. While a broader discussion is, on one hand, helping to build more acceptance, it has also sparked a lot of controversies. The catalyst for this was the dreadful "bathroom" debate. There have been many who were just not even aware that transgender people have been using the bathroom of their choice, now they observe much closer, especially trans women entering the ladies room. This has lead to several bad incidents in the past few years since all the sudden people are more aware.

The same applies to legal protections. It is really unfortunate that we even have to ask for these. Many of us live in a grey area. I am still trying to figure out how much trouble I would be in when I would be caught using a women's restroom in Virginia. The catch is that each state does have different regulations. If I drive 16 miles, I can legally use the ladies room and anyone attempting to stop me would be charged with a hate crime. In my hometown, I would most likely get arrested myself. Legal protection for smaller classes is always an evolving thing. Again, it is sad that it is necessary and that society requires laws to actually do what should be right. I was really glad to see Massachusetts uphold the transgender protections. This is a great and strong signal. It will also help other states to muster the courage to pass similar laws (hopefully).


Now for my view on yesterdays results:
My biggest worry is the continued ability to place very conservative judges across the judiciary system on many levels. In the past few years, many anti-transgender laws and regulations have been upheld by courts. While there should not be any bias for judges, we all know that they have a lot of decision powers and spiking the courts with conservative anti-transgender judges could mean that unfavorable legislation could still be passed. Most of these appointments are life-long appointments which could impact the entire LGBT community (and many more) for generations to come.

Seeing the Vermont results is interesting: Even though she lost, I do believe Christine Hallquist has accomplished a tremendous win for our community. Of course, I would have loved to see her win, but sometimes it takes a bit longer to get to where we want.

I have to admit being a bit disappointed in general, I was hoping that the current division does not get any stronger and even harder to overcome. Unfortunately, I feel this is what has happened. The fights between the two sides will get a lot messier going forward. What this country would need is a strong effort to reunite and become or stay strong together. Unfortunately, the division has just been cemented much stronger and having House and Senate in two different hands is also two-fold: In an ideal world, it would spark common sense and a strong will for consensus. But I fear it will just end up being more fighting.

So, no, I am not happy about the resulsts.

Hugs,

Sarah

[PhoenixGurl2016]

With all due respect, good for you.
I would NOT have transited without the light that was:
-Legal protection
-Public Insurance granting me access to meds, surgery, therapy, and support.
-an accepting community who I have nothing to fear from because of discrimination is against the law
-A network of support who share those same communities.
-and a lot more

I was on the road to self destruction. Because I had a place to go that PROTECTS and HELPS someone like me who isn't rich, well educated, or connected, I am now a better person. I am successful person.

I want others to have those same opportunities because I know what it is like, I know how hard it was. I gave up everything to be who I am today and it was only because of the legal process in place in my current state that it was made possible.

I REFUSE to ignore those who are less fortunate then me and I will FIGHT to make sure they have them.

I notice a lot Transgender people once they reach their "finish line" of transitioning, they tend to get disconnected from what we all should be fighting for. I refuse to go that route. I refuse to ignore it. I WILL FIGHT for those coming after me.

Who cares?

I Freaking care.

Who cares, I mean seriously? I transitioned 20+ years ago when there was no protections, no nothing and despite that I managed to do alright for myself in the next few decades. I didn't need laws or anything else, just my own wits. No one is going to put a gun to your head and tell you can't take hormones or have SRS surgery, so who cares? Just live your life and be happy.

I'm going to say something that might be taken the wrong way, but I really want to get this off my chest. I actually voted against the transgender protections in Massachusetts. I did it because I don't want people to be compelled to like me at work or anywhere else. I want them to like me because I am a fun person to be around with a great sense of humor. I would much rather know that someone actively despises me or refuses to give me a job than to have them offer me the job at gunpoint and turn a work environment into a hostile one. I personally like knowing where I stand with people. Anti-discrimination laws turn life into darkened corridors whisper and conversations and I don't want to be part of that.

I would hope that disparate opinions are welcome because that's how people learn by perhaps questioning assumptions.

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[Northern Star Girl]

Snipped: 

With all due respect, good for you.
  - - - - - -
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Who cares?

I Freaking care.

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@PhoenixGurl2016
Obviously you are very passionate about your feelings...
..... and regarding your reaction to the reply #12 by Zumbagirl....   

PLEASE read my reply #19 posting again about being cordial and respectful with posted remarks and "possibly perceived insults and any possibly perceived demeaning statements"

Let cooler heads and less heated words prevail here on the forums... PLEASE

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

[PhoenixGurl2016]

Snipped: 
@PhoenixGurl2016
Obviously you are very passionate about your feelings...
..... and regarding your reaction to the reply #12 by Zumbagirl....   

PLEASE read my reply #19 posting again about being cordial and respectful with posted remarks and "possibly perceived insults and any possibly perceived demeaning statements"

Let cooler heads and less heated words prevail here on the forums... PLEASE

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

But "Who Cares, I mean seriously?" Is ok? It doesn't seem respectful to me when to many of us, it's a real important issue to our well being and safety and to hear that attitude within our own community....that's disheartening, sad, and is going to cause a reaction.

Edit: I know that look argumentative, but it's not. I am just trying to see where the line is and why I got dinged and that other post did not.


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[HappyMoni]

Sometimes I wish I was just gay. Being trans, I want to be a vocal advocate, a visual ambassador to the rest of the world. We could all go out and each influence 10 people who each influence ten more people and before you know it, the world is overwhelmingly accepting. We could do that without betraying our goals if we were gay, right? But we are trans. Most of us want to live our lives, not stand out, blend in, perhaps go stealth. It is way more complicated for us. I am thankful to anyone who advocates. It is perhaps at the cost of their personal goals. These people are really amazing. They put themselves out there in the spotlight, and I am thankful. We never know who knows we are trans. Many people never let us know that they know. I appreciate that. I think the major thing to keep in mind as we try to change the world in our own little ways is this. Act with class and act with dignity. It is really a way to protest the indignities thrown our way. MLK did a pretty darn good job of doing this. Be better than the bigoted a hole who hates us.
If that doesn't work kick them in the shins. (Sorry just kidding. Got to break the tension in this thread here kids!)

[Cindy]

 
Cool down everyone.

We have enough enemies in this world without picking fights with each other.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as it remains in the boundaries of the TOS of this site.

I will act on any one picking fights

Cindy

[PhoenixGurl2016]

I agree and I am am not one of those people, those people are amazing. I may not able to be an advocate but I can vote. I'll vote to improve our process as Transgender Americans forward. I wish that we didn't have to worry about these issues but as silly as they "may" be, we do have to worry. I will always vote to move forward and not back track our rights and safety into the shadows.

Sometimes I wish I was just gay. Being trans, I want to be a vocal advocate, a visual ambassador to the rest of the world. We could all go out and each influence 10 people who each influence ten more people and before you know it, the world is overwhelmingly accepting. We could do that without betraying our goals if we were gay, right? But we are trans. Most of us want to live our lives, not stand out, blend in, perhaps go stealth. It is way more complicated for us. I am thankful to anyone who advocates. It is perhaps at the cost of their personal goals. These people are really amazing. They put themselves out there in the spotlight, and I am thankful. We never know who knows we are trans. Many people never let us know that they know. I appreciate that. I think the major thing to keep in mind as we try to change the world in our own little ways is this. Act with class and act with dignity. It is really a way to protest the indignities thrown our way. MLK did a pretty darn good job of doing this. Be better than the bigoted a hole who hates us.
If that doesn't work kick them in the shins. (Sorry just kidding. Got to break the tension in this thread here kids!)

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[Janes Groove]

I live in Colorado. The state senate used to have a one vote Republican majority.  That single vote was holding up passage of a bill that would allow a transgender person to change their gender on their birth certificate without a requirement for surgery.

Now Democrats control the Governor's office and both houses of the legislature.  The Governor is an openly gay man.  Transgender sterilization will no longer be required to change one's gender marker on one's birth certificate.

Please don't give me all that both sides nonsense.

Added bonus?  The baker now has a gay governor.

[laurenb]

Who cares, I mean seriously? I transitioned 20+ years ago when there was no protections, no nothing and despite that I managed to do alright for myself in the next few decades. I didn't need laws or anything else, just my own wits. No one is going to put a gun to your head and tell you can't take hormones or have SRS surgery, so who cares? Just live your life and be happy.

I'm going to say something that might be taken the wrong way, but I really want to get this off my chest. I actually voted against the transgender protections in Massachusetts. I did it because I don't want people to be compelled to like me at work or anywhere else. I want them to like me because I am a fun person to be around with a great sense of humor. I would much rather know that someone actively despises me or refuses to give me a job than to have them offer me the job at gunpoint and turn a work environment into a hostile one. I personally like knowing where I stand with people. Anti-discrimination laws turn life into darkened corridors whisper and conversations and I don't want to be part of that.

I would hope that disparate opinions are welcome because that's how people learn by perhaps questioning assumptions.

What do you do with someone who, by their own admission, just doesn't care? One of your own; a trans person. Voted no on a referendum to preserve rights for public accommodations for transgender people. The rights had already been in place for 2 years. Signed by our Republican governor and backed by law enforcement people and abuse counselors and now 67% of the voting public. These rights that non-trans people enjoy without thinking about it. But that without those rights, we can be asked to leave any restaurant or other public place. Summarily thrown out. How would you feel if that happened?

Help me understand the mentality. I was just at a support group meeting this evening. The facilitator got a small amount of funding to help 18-30 year olds come for group support to deal with being trans in this toxic environment. The grant money came from a family of a young trans person who committed suicide.

You're tough Zumba. I give you that. I'm not that strong and I'm thankful that the electorate of our state has our back. I'm not looking to be liked, just looking for equal protection under the law.   

[Laurie]

  I believe this topic has run it's course   
                    Topic Locked