Congress holds first hearing on transgender discrimination

[Shana A]

Congress holds first hearing on transgender discrimination

By Tony Grew • June 30, 2008 - 14:11

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8164.html

The United States Congress held its first ever hearings on transgender issues last week.

The two openly gay members of the House of Representatives testified alongside transgender professionals who experienced employment discrimination, representatives of trans groups and business and legal experts.

[tekla]

In her testimony Congresswoman Baldwin explained what was meant by transgender:

So long as we allow others who are not us, to define us, so long will we be at their mercy.

[Hypatia]

You denigrate the excellent and noble work that Tammy Baldwin has been doing for our cause. She spoke beautifully in support of our equal rights. I am deeply grateful to her for helping us to win our rights. She has done more than anyone else in Congress up till now to advocate our cause. She got it right. I was sitting in the front row directly behind her as she spoke and it was the most thrilling political moment of my life.

[tekla]

How much more thrilling would it have been for her to ask you to define yourself?

Its just typical for Congressional Hearings anymore that what once were a way for Congress to get information from people not in Congress, have become an opportunity to grandstand and get the sound bite that makes the evening news.  In an election year for sure.  If there were TG people there, why not just let them tell it, rather than telling it for them?

[Hypatia]

How much more thrilling would it have been for her to ask you to define yourself?

Its just typical for Congressional Hearings anymore that what once were a way for Congress to get information from people not in Congress, have become an opportunity to grandstand and get the sound bite that makes the evening news.  In an election year for sure.  If there were TG people there, why not just let them tell it, rather than telling it for them?

A bunch of them did tell it. Didn't you listen or at least read a transcript?

It's also important to have actual representatives within Congress pulling for us, or nothing will ever happen. Because they are the ones who actually pass laws. Jeez, how obtuse can you be not to grasp that simple fact? Will you dump on Rob Andrews now too, for chairing the hearing and speaking out so strongly in support of our rights--grandstanding my ass, they are doing what needs to be done!

[Sheila]

I have to agree with Hypatia. Just because you are not a TG doesn't mean that you can't fight for our rights. I think that is what you call allies. We need them, otherwise we don't stand a chance. Let's not bicker, it really doesn't become us.