Federal trans-formation
Frustrating on high-profile LGBT issues, Barack Obama has moved quickly, with little fanfare, on gender-identity issues.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | August 11, 2010
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/news/106658-federal-trans-formation/The LGBT community has had its complaints about Barack Obama and his administration, particularly concerning the pace of eliminating the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, and passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
But below the glare of those political hot-buttons, it seems the same administration has made remarkable progress on transgender issues. From the symbolism of the first transgender presidential appointee, to new regulation against discrimination in housing programs, federal agencies and offices — and Obama himself — have made this easily the most trans-friendly presidency to date.
"Obama has been trans-inclusive himself, and has set the right tone for inclusion," says Nancy Nangeroni, chair of the steering committee for Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC).
