Washington Blade

I quickly noticed the lack of important transgender issues asked by the panel.  I figured that Melissa Etheridge wouldn't ask any trans-related questions and Jonathan Capehart has actually written articles stating that transgender people shouldn't be included in any legislation.

I did hold out hope that Joe Solmonese would ask some tough trans-related question, but that vanished when he asked John Edwards the one and only "T" question in this "GLBT forum."

Yeah, Melissa Ethridge did kinda' throw us Trans under the bus, as it were...

Karen

QuoteI quickly noticed the lack of important transgender issues asked by the panel.  I figured that Melissa Etheridge wouldn't ask any trans-related questions and Jonathan Capehart has actually written articles stating that transgender people shouldn't be included in any legislation.

And why should she? I am not sure there really is any "T" in GLBT!  It seems to me, that people only pass through the queer community, and claim ownership of GLBT when it suits them. As soon as they get to a place where they can assimilate into the general heterosexual community ::rip:: they rend that facade and go into hiding.

I have heard plenty of people from the "trans-community," if there is such a thing, espouse views that are in direct conflict with the homosexual community. I am sick and tired of hearing trans-folk bitch about queer people not carring their cross for them, or stepping up to the plate to battle for them. And then either doing nothing themselves, or turning their back on the larger queer community when the opportunity presents itself.

Trans-folk have every right to live their life as they wish, and to do as they please, but if they are are not going to walk the walk, than don't talk the talk. They are going to have to decide if they are "IN," or "OUT." And if they are "OUT," than go off and start your own groups and stop asking organizations like GLADD to stick up for you when you are in a jam, like in that tax deduction thing. And we will happily pluck that "T" right out of the GLB if you agree it does not belong there. In other words, if you are not going to stand by our banner, quit using our resources. You can't have it both ways.

It's time to put up or shut up. That is the other POV.

    I think they were wasting everybody's time with the gay marriage issue.  There are other issues that really matter more on a federal level like don't ask don't tell.  You would think that you would hear some Trans people speak up about that too.  Like wouldn't it be great if a 26 or 46 year old military person could transition while still maintaining their 'career'.  The only issue might be if a male grunt wanted to transition, they would obviously need to be reassigned to a support type position.

   But anyway, gay marriage can be accomplished on a local and state level while broader issues are hammered out on the federal level.

   After reading the thread here where so many people complain about even being associated with GLB groups, I don't see why GLB's don't just kick our ungrateful behinds to the curb.  It is possible, however, that there weren't so many people here complaining about the association.  It may have been one person repeating themself many times over.  It just drives me nuts.