Telling stories: I AM a supporter of transgender rights
by Erica L. Kaufman
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition media intern
Tuesday Nov 2, 2010
http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=opinion&sc=guest_opinions&sc2=news&sc3=&id=112339By all of society's standards I am not considered the type of person that should or would care about transgender people or transgender rights. I am 23 years old, straight, white, female, and middle class (okay, lower middle class).
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Prior to starting my internship, I did not have strong connections to the transgender community, but I have always supported equal rights for all people. In the interim between earning my undergraduate degree and applying for graduate school I decided to stop quietly supporting causes I believed in and start putting real time into affecting change. I chose to work for transgender rights. Working with transgender individuals is no different than working with any other people, but not everyone realizes this. I have an extremely difficult time understanding why anyone would be bothered simply by the existence of transgender people. It appalls me to see, hear, and otherwise learn of, some of the mistreatment and discrimination my friends and colleagues are subjected to just because of who they are. I felt disappointed and disheartened a few months ago when the Transgender Civil Rights Bill did not pass. I consider this to be my legislation, as I consider myself a part of the transgender community. When basic civil rights are not granted to everyone, we all suffer.
