Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Link (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/09/AR2007010901707.html)

Approved by a unanimous vote, the lessons mark the first time Montgomery schools will introduce the topics of sexual orientation and homosexuality. The materials, including a new 10th-grade condom-demonstration DVD, will be field-tested in a handful of middle and high schools in spring, barring intervention by the courts.

link (http://www.citypaper.com/news/story.asp?id=13443)

A bill designed to offer anti-discrimination protection to Maryland's transgender population failed in the state's Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, surprising advocates. Introduced by senators Lisa Gladden (D-Baltimore) and Richard Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) Senate Bill 516 would have added "gender identity and expression" to the state's anti-discrimination clauses, protecting transgender citizens in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations. Sexual orientation was added to the state's anti-discrimination laws in 2001.

"The senators just said that it's OK to discriminate against me," says Wendy, a transwoman who testified in favor of the bill and was profiled last month in a City Paper cover story about transgender people in Baltimore ("In Between Days," Feature, March 14). Wendy, a Baltimore County resident, has been looking for employment since she had sex-reassignment surgery last year. "This bill was not going to instantly get me a job," she says. "But it would have least started to pave the way."

Push comes after Maryland lawmakers kill statewide measure (http://www.washblade.com/2007/4-20/news/localnews/10425.cfm)

After searching two months for work as an auto mechanic, Celeste Hall reached an inescapable conclusion.

There were jobs available at shops in Montgomery County, but none that were open to trans applicants.

"I mean, I had one hiring manager say, 'Well, we'd like to hire you, but we're worried about how the other employees will react to you,'" said Hall, a 45-year-old transgender woman who lives in Silver Spring.

Kaiser Network dot Org (http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=45601)

Maryland: The Montgomery County, Md., Board of Education on Tuesday voted 6-1 to approve a new sex education curriculum that teaches eighth- and 10th-grade students about sexual and gender identity issues and that includes a condom demonstration video, the Washington Post reports (de Vise, Washington Post, 6/13). The board in January voted 8-0 to approve a pilot program to test the curriculum, which includes two 45-minute classes for eighth-graders and three 45-minute classes for 10th-graders.

State Politics & Policy | Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland Take Actions on Abortion, Breast-Feeding, Sex Education-Related Measures
Daily Women's Health Policy
Kaisar Network dot Org (http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=46134)

Maryland: The Maryland State Board of Education late last month in a closed session approved a Montgomery County, Md., sex education curriculum that teaches eighth- and 10th-grade students about sexual- and gender-identity issues and that includes a condom demonstration video, school officials said last week, the Washington Post reports (de Vise, Washington Post, 7/4). The Montgomery Board of Education in January voted 8-0 to approve a pilot program to test the curriculum.

LAMBDA LEGAL STANDS ON THE FRONTLINES WITH LOCAL MARYLAND GROUPS IN SUPPORT OF INCLUSIVE SEX EDUCATION
Out In Ocean City (http://www.outinoceancity.com/home/news.asp?articleid=31380)
by: LAMBDALEGAL.com, OIA Newswire

In court papers filed recently in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland Lambda Legal represents Metro DC Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in a lawsuit over a decision by the Montgomery County School Board to include information about sexual orientation as part of the health education curriculum for 8th and 10th graders.

Washington Blade (http://www.washblade.com/2007/9-7/news/localnews/11179.cfm)
JOSHUA LYNSEN
Friday, September 07, 2007

Montgomery County officials plan to introduce a bill next week that would outlaw discrimination against transgender people.

The proposed measure would bar discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations. If passed, Montgomery County would join Baltimore as among the few Maryland jurisdictions to have such laws.

Montgomery may ban transgender discrimination

The  Examiner (http://www.examiner.com/a-927982~Montgomery_may_ban_transgender_discrimination.html?cid=rss-Washington_DC)
By Kathleen Miller
Published: September 11, 2007

'Montgomery County - Discrimination against transgender people would be banned in Montgomery County Code under a bill Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg says she will introduce today. Council Members Valerie Ervin and Marc Elrich are co-sponsoring the measure.

The legislation would "prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, cable television service and taxicab service on the basis of gender identity" and amend county laws to add gender identity discrimination to the lists of potential types of prejudice'.

WorldNet Daily {very right wing site}
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58493
By Bob Unruh

According to the organization, Leventhal's opinion that "we should not worry if a child comes face to face with a nude male stranger (who merely has expressed he feels he is a woman) seems nothing short of condescending."

The bill was sponsored by Council members Duchy Trachtenberg, Valerie Ervin, and Marc Elrich with the support of Equality Maryland, an organization promoting "gay," lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues, PFOX said.

Wow, that certainly opened Pandora's Box, didn't it?  Yes, I can definitely see problems with this bill.

This kind of language was the same language that the City of Eugene wanted in their laws. I thought that it was a little too controversy and wanted the showers out or for trans people to have ID or something to show that they are truely who they say they are. That way the businesses could accommodate them so there would not be any problems.
Sheila

You know, some of these concerns that the parents raised about a pre-op MTF being in a changing room and having a young girl seeing their genitals, I don't see happening.  I know I would find a way to keep all the private.

This is a classic straw argument, what pre-op mtf will really shower openly!!! Not me that's for sure.

As for MTF being at all in the women's dressing room, either its accepted we have a real condition with rights or we do not. In the first case, a simple carry letter from a psychologist would be sufficient to reassure that this in fact a mtf and not a sexual predator.

Also, I've seen single male parents help their daughters in dressing rooms (and that causes a stir also). So, the problem is larger than just that of mtf or ftm.

It funny how we almost never hear anything about female being in the male dressing room... Male are so "hard core" and can protect themselves I suppose...

Quote from: Keira on November 03, 2007, 06:38:12 PM
This is a classic straw argument, what pre-op mtf will really shower openly!!! Not me that's for sure.

Precisely, Keira!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

This article regurgitates the old "evil presence of a penis" scare tactic to lobbying against a trans inclusive non-discrimination law.  They want people to subconsciously associate the presence of a penis with danger.

Here's a useful exercise:  In the following quote,

Quote". . . So, if I'm in a bathroom all by myself late at night, and a man walks in, I am supposed to be okay with this? If I'm at a pool, in a women's locker room, and a man walks in – I'm supposed to be okay with this? This is truly unbelievable, and I'm embarrassed that Montgomery County is even spending its time on this piece of nonsense,"

Substitute the words, "black person" for the word "man" and you'll see the true motivation behind this kind of attitude.

The false underlying assumption under the whole premise that the radical religious right is pushing here is that it's who a person is rather than their behavior that should be sanctioned and proscribed.  It's a common position with these people and an even more common tactic. >:(

Emelye

Like I said, straw argument.

What if was a butch lesbian walking in, does she feel uncomfortable because she "thinks" its a man.

What if she's not a lesbian at all, just likes to have a short haircut and muscles, does that make her uncomfortable too.

How does she know its a man, does she really think a pre-op walks naked.
A pre-op who's game enough to face a women's locker room is rarely the least passable (though if she was less passable, it would go back to the: how does she know its not just an atypical women!).

In brief, its a load of crap.

Conservatives are uncomfortable by anyone, man or women who doesn't fit their standard dicotomy. They simply can't wrap their brain around it.

A friend of mine is really butch and she has been chased out of bathrooms, changing rooms, etc. Only once did the police actually get involved.

We have come to the point where a little bit of anarchy is needed to really shake things up.

Quote from: LostInTime on November 04, 2007, 08:10:15 AM
A friend of mine is really butch and she has been chased out of bathrooms, changing rooms, etc. Only once did the police actually get involved.

We have come to the point where a little bit of anarchy is needed to really shake things up.

...like chasing straight people out of the bathrooms/changing rooms/locker rooms?   ( >:D)

Karen

It is really funny how it gets all changed around. First we can start talking about "SHOWERS" then it comes back to dressing rooms and ends up with restrooms. You can have privacy in a dressing room and in restrooms, but what about the showers in a gym or at a pool where you have open showers and you don't have any clothes on. This is where I have the problem. I'm a very private person and I have had the surgery and I would still like to shower in private. Yes a note from a therapist would do wonders, but you have the people who sat no to all ID, even if it will help you.
Sheila

My transition letter was forced on me, my doc was worried after I told her about some of the run ins with the local and state police (all of them in the state are rednecks in the worst way). Never have presented it, never will.

Showers in the gyms I used to work out at had small private stalls. A towel around on the way in and a towel and a clean pair of underwear on the way out. No muss, no fuss.

Transgender Bathrooms Still a Threat, Despite Changes to Bill


http://www.crosswalk.com/news/11559315/

Pete Winn
Senior Staff Writer
crosswalk.com


'(CNSNews.com) - Council members in Montgomery MD., are poised to vote Tuesday afternoon on a controversial measure outlawing discrimination against transgender individuals.'

Transgender discrimination outlawed

Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/a-1047271~Transgender_discrimination_outlawed.html?cid=rss-Washington_DC)
by Kathleen Miller
11/14/2007

'WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Montgomery County Council members unanimously approved a measure that outlaws discrimination against transgender people, despite the outrage of protesters who worried the measure would allow men access to women's restrooms.

The legislation will "prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, cable television service and taxicab service on the basis of gender identity" and add gender identity discrimination to the lists of potential types of prejudice.'

Again with the bathrooms.  Geez.  They should make all bathrooms unisex, and just have them be like a row of doors.  Single occupancy type of deals.  The communal bathroom is what's gross.

Transgender Bathrooms Still a Threat, Despite Changes to Bill

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200711/NAT20071113a.html
By Pete Winn
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
11/14/2007

'(CNSNews.com) - Council members in Montgomery County, Md., are poised to vote Tuesday afternoon on a controversial measure outlawing discrimination against transgender individuals.

But the county-level lawmakers in the Washington, D.C.-area suburb will apparently face a revised version of the bill - one that will not include controversial language granting males who feel they are females, and vice versa, access to any public restroom they want.'

Leggett Signs Bill For Protection of Transgender People

Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/21/AR2007112101708.html)
By Ann E. Marimow
Washington Post Staff Writer
11/22/2007

'Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) signed off yesterday on legislation to protect transgender individuals from discrimination, over the objections of religious and community groups that say the measure would give male cross-dressers access to women's restrooms and locker rooms.'

Give 'peeing in peace' a chance?

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58811
By Olivia St. John
11/22/2007

'South-central Maryland may soon look like the San Francisco of the East Coast after elected officials in Montgomery County unanimously approved a measure on Nov. 13 allowing "transgender" males to use female restrooms and vice versa.'

Conservative groups challenge Mont. Co. trans bill   

http://www.washblade.com/2007/11-22/news/localnews/11608.cfm
By JOSHUA LYNSEN
11/22/2007

'Several conservative groups are challenging a Montgomery County measure that would bar discrimination against transgender residents and workers'

District allows boy in girls' restrooms

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59526
By Bob Unruh
01/04/2008

A school district following Maine's Human Rights Law and providing special accommodations to a 10-year-old with "sexual orientation or gender identification" issues is being accused of discrimination by a man whose grandson is being denied those same accommodations because of his sexual orientation – that of heterosexuality.

Quote from: Natasha on January 04, 2008, 04:33:50 PM
District allows boy in girls' restrooms

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59526
By Bob Unruh
01/04/2008

A school district following Maine's Human Rights Law and providing special accommodations to a 10-year-old with "sexual orientation or gender identification" issues is being accused of discrimination by a man whose grandson is being denied those same accommodations because of his sexual orientation – that of heterosexuality.

Hum...I can understand letting those with gender identity issues use the bathroom they feel comfortable with...especially if they are living full-time and presenting in their chosen gender...I have a problem with just saying any guy can use the woman's bathroom...people wonder why the bathroom issue is so big...it's cases like this that make it harder for trans people to gain access to the right bathrooms...ug!!!

Peace and love,
Isabelle St-Pierre

WND is a radical right wing extremist political site that manages to attract a few big names (such as Chuck Norris) to their cause.

Does anyone have a link to the law? I bet one has to be diagnosed as T before having access to the appropriate gender accomodatios.

Posted on: January 04, 2008, 17:04:51

---

It appears that they lumped gender identity under sexual identity:


9-C. Sexual orientation.   "Sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality or gender identity or expression.
[ 2005, c. 10, §3 (NEW) .]

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/5/title5sec4553.html

Human Rights Commission:
http://www.maine.gov/mhrc/index.shtml


Posted on: January 04, 2008, 17:19:58

---

http://www.maine.gov/mhrc/laws/Sexual_Orientation_Adopted_Rule.htm

Sec. 1.  Me. Hum. Rights Comm'n Reg. Ch. 3, Section 3.02, Paragraph D is adopted to read:

D.        Sexual Orientation.

(1)        The term "sexual orientation" means a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, gender identity, or gender expression.

(2)        The term "gender identity" means an individual's gender-related identity, whether or not that identity is different from that traditionally associated with that individual's assigned sex at birth, including, but not limited to, a gender identity that is transgender or androgynous.

(3)        The term "gender expression" means the manner in which an individual's gender identity is expressed, including, but not limited to, through dress, appearance, manner, speech, or lifestyle, whether or not that expression is different from that traditionally associated with that individual's assigned sex at birth.

About halfway down the article, there's a link to a website "not my shower.net" <ick> http://www.notmyshower.net/ (http://www.notmyshower.net/).

"Leggett Signs Gender Identity Bill

By the stroke of a very powerful pen, County Executive Leggett has broken the biological barriers that separate male and female facilities. No longer will women and girls be able to feel completely safe in the most private and personal bathroom and locker facilities of schools, public pools, malls, stores, health clubs, restaurants and other such public places throughout the county. County Executive Ike Leggett signed Bill 23-07, the outrageous legislation that may result in forcing even religious schools to hire transgender teachers; and then also allow cross-dressing but biological males in your daughter's school locker room. Maryland Citizens for a Responsible Government has filed a referendum to prevent the implementation of Bill 23-07. We are calling on every concerned Montgomery County citizen to join us in this huge undertaking."

The law exempts bigoted religious institutions as long as they do not receive public funding or any special status from the government.

I think that the tax free status of religious institutions need to be done away with and just think how much safer children will be as the Church is forced to close one door after another.

I think that if that man wants his grandson to use the girls restroom, then he should have that boy into gender therapist and follow all the guidelines that have to put into place.
Sheila

Ops...looks like they made a bit of a mistake to include gender identity under sexual orientation...don't know about the rest of you...my gender identity has absolutely nothing to do with my sexual orientation...

Peace and love,
Isabelle St-Pierre

[/quote]
I have a problem with just saying any guy can use the woman's bathroom...people wonder why the bathroom issue is so big...it's cases like this that make it harder for trans people to gain access to the right bathrooms...ug!!!

Peace and love,
Isabelle St-Pierre
[/quote]

yea, only people that are truly trans and don't feel comfortable around men should gain access... I'm starting to hate using the boy's locker room- i don't even want to use the girls yet- just a private area... they should implement uni-sex bathrooms because as yrs go by trans people are coming out, also some men have a problem with gay men using the same bathroom

As a transwoman who was once an oft-harassed little boy, I think that's great.

Lia

Dana Beyer: Anatomy is complex

http://www.projo.com/opinion/letters/content/LT_beyer_RDY_01-07-08_GG8D0QM_v8.2b0f4a3.html
01/08/2008

As the mother of a recent Brown graduate and a Democratic politician in Montgomery County, Md., who just happens to be transgendered, I am appalled that David Carlin would spread such hate and misinformation ("Those bathrooms for the transgendered," Commentary, Dec. 22).

Effort under way to repeal MD county's 'gender identity' law

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2008/01/effort_under_way_to_repeal_md_.php
By Jim Brown
01/09/2008

The group Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG) is seeking to collect the signatures of more than 25,000 registered voters who oppose a law in Montgomery County that effectively declares transgender people and transvestites a protected class. In order to get the issue on the ballot, the Gaithersburg group must obtain the signatures before February 16.

====

And-

Group seeks to repeal Maryland county gender identity and expression protections
by: pam
Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 11:00:00 AM EST
Pam's House Blend (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=23F6564106DA78113194C316D5E3B2DB?diaryId=4122)

"Another reason that advances cannot be taken for granted. These bigots simply will not give up, even after LGBT-friendly laws are passed. Look at the hysterical trans-baiting and lies -- it's appalling."

EDIT; added blog reference to root story here, deleted my double-post - Karen

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2008/01/effort_under_way_to_repeal_md_.php (http://www.onenewsnow.com/2008/01/effort_under_way_to_repeal_md_.php)


"Effort under way to repeal MD county's 'gender identity' law
Jim Brown OneNewsNow.comJanuary 9, 2008 bathroom stalls

A citizen activist group has launched a petition drive designed to overturn a Maryland county's new ban on discrimination against so-called "gender identity and expression." The Montgomery County group warns the new law would allow men access to women's bathrooms and locker rooms."

Conversations we need to have

http://www.equalityloudoun.org/2008/01/16/conversations-we-need-to-have/
01/16/2008

Update: Pam's House Blend has picked up the story of the hoax perpetrated by the Montgomery County anti-transgender group.

Shower Scare from Anti-Trans Group

http://fightoutloud.org/blog/2008/01/17/shower-scare-from-anti-trans-group/
01/17/2008

In response to a recently passed act banning "discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, cable television service, and taxicab service on the basis of gender identity" in Montgomery County, Maryland, the group Citizens for a Responsible Government has started a petition drive to overturn the bill.

it just goes to show that there is always going to be someone out there ruining it for us no matter what we do. it is so sad to see grown people act like children in some of the most non-violent situations. adults should act like adults. these stunts are completely pathetic....... >:( >:( >:( >:(

Mickie

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59763 (http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59763)

BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS
District lessons teach 'erotic' sex techniques
Parents group wants halt in 'violations of state law'
Posted: January 19, 2008
1:00 a.m. Eastern


© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com


The Montgomery County school board includes Nancy Navarro, Ben Moskowitz, Shirley Brandman, Jerry D. Weast, Stephen Abrams, Christopher S. Barclay, Sharon W. Cox, Judy Docca and Patricia O'Neill

A parents group is asking a judge to halt an explicit sex-education curriculum implemented by a Maryland school board that teaches homosexuality is innate and provides depictions of "erotic" sex techniques.

Brandon M. Bolling, of the Thomas More Law Center, told Judge William J. Rowan III that state law requires that information presented in public schools be supported with evidence, and the teaching that homosexuality is "innate" lacks that support.

Quote from: y2gender on January 19, 2008, 06:54:18 AM
Brandon M. Bolling, of the Thomas More Law Center, told Judge William J. Rowan III that state law requires that information presented in public schools be supported with evidence, and the teaching that homosexuality is "innate" lacks that support.

Gee, but it's okay to teach creationism?

Those "erotic sex techniques" are probably when they tell you how to fit a condom..."

Monica Roberts

TransGriot (http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-low-will-they-go.html)

"One of the things our opponents consistently underestimate the transgender community about is our political savviness, our intelligence and our PR skills. The last thing any Montgomery County area transperson would want to do is create an incident during this time period, when the law doesn't even take effect until February 20, that these bigots could seize on, beat us over the head with and jeopardize the law."

How low can they go in American politics?  Where draftdodgers attack the war records of candidates, where a triple amputee from the VN War can be called out as 'not being tough enough' by someone who never went.  You figure out how low, the lowest slime is, and then keep digging, you not even close yet.