Why the "Transsexual" vs. "Transgender" Debate is Irrelevant to the Fight for Equal Rights
by: Abby
Tue Jun 14, 2011 at 17:59:59 PM EDT
- promoted by Autumn Sandeen)
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/19446/why-the-transsexual-vs-transgender-debate-is-irrelevant-to-the-fight-for-equal-rights (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/19446/why-the-transsexual-vs-transgender-debate-is-irrelevant-to-the-fight-for-equal-rights)
I hesitate to jump into these shark-infested waters, but here goes.
I certainly have my own opinion on the "transsexual" vs. "transgender" debate that has ignited many a flame war on the internet over the last few months between those who want to separate our community based on those who have had or, at least, want to have, SRS, from everyone else, but I'm not going to express that here. Instead, I'm going to take a position that I've never seen expressed by anyone else, although some have come close. My position comes from my background as an attorney and my understanding of how anti-discrimination laws are written and are intended to operate.
Here's what I know to be true: the dispute about who is transsexual and who isn't is irrelevant to the fight for protections for transsexual, transgender, genderqueer and every other gender variant or gender nonconforming person in this country. Why? Because of how anti-discrimination laws are written for both practical and constitutional reasons.
LOL, the comments on that article are priceless:
QuoteQuote"You are truly deluded."
Factually unproven statement, a breaking of the revised terms of service, and ableist language, to boot.