COMMENTARY: Transgender bill debate should remain civil

[Shana A]

COMMENTARY: Transgender bill debate should remain civil
GateHouse News Service
Posted Jun 06, 2011 @ 06:52 AM
COMMENTARY BY GUNNER SCOTT and KARA S. SUFFREDINI —

http://www.patriotledger.com/opinions/opinions_columnists/x1375389689/COMMENTARY-Transgender-bill-debate-should-remain-civil

On Wednesday, our Legislature's Joint Committee on the Judiciary will hold a public hearing on the Transgender Equal Rights Bill that would add protections for transgender residents in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit.

It would also add protections for transgender people to the state's hate crimes law.

Opponents of this bill will testify at the public hearing. It is our hope that they will do so respectfully, absent the dehumanizing rhetoric that has characterized past hearings (such as claims that the bill is about giving protection to "sexual predators"). Let's remember – most especially in the recent attack on Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords – that language and laws help shape our social climate.