Pink News
5th October 2007 10:56
David Mariner

Congressman Barney Frank has chosen to introduce a straight-acting-only version of ENDA which bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation but not gender identity and expression.

This version may protect gays and lesbians based on their sexual orientation, but it won't protect gays and lesbians who don't adhere to society's view of what men and women should be.

I like what gay male said, "Now they can't fire me for being gay, only acting gay"

Quote from: LostInTime on October 05, 2007, 08:30:33 AM
Pink News
5th October 2007 10:56
David Mariner

Congressman Barney Frank has chosen to introduce a straight-acting-only version of ENDA which bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation but not gender identity and expression.

This version may protect gays and lesbians based on their sexual orientation, but it won't protect gays and lesbians who don't adhere to society's view of what men and women should be.

Oh phooey!!!    I'm sunk then! 

I think there may be a link to that article around here already.  I remember reading it.

So ENDA will no longer support straight people who act gay either?

From now on the entire ENDA thing means nothing to me.

   I have a theory that true change comes from people.  Individuals and groups.  We'll get our changes without the help of idiot lawmakers.
       - did this statement just toss me into a conservative worldview?

This "tossing us under the bus" by gays is just another example of how the majority of Gay people regard transsexuals. I wrote an article about this a couple of years ago. Gay men know less about us than most straight men do. In fact, they are in the negative as far as what they know. This is because of the drag queen shows at most gay bars. Gay men love the shows, and ridicule the drag queens as clowns and comedians. A lot of gay men do drag at Halloween, and a lot of them think of us as drag queens who want to do it all the time, therefore, we are crazy. The see us as men in dresses. Don't ever pretend that gay man sitting across the bar from you knows what you really are, unless he is a long time friend of yours.

Few gays I've met knew anything at all about trans people.  All the ones I got to know and who took the time to get to know me would now fight for us to be included.  It's not that I'm charming, it's just that I educated them what our life is truly like.  Once they knew that, they were okay with us.

Politicians run from being labeled discriminatory.  Supporting trans exclusive anything is the same as supporting discrimination.  They need to be reminded of that.  They need to be told, in a public setting, that if they support ENDA, without including trans people, they will be supporting prejudice and discrimination.  If they do that to us, they can do it to anyone.  Label them prejudiced and discriminatory and let's see how they react.

Julie

Quote from: Julie Marie on October 06, 2007, 10:47:10 AMPoliticians run from being labeled discriminatory.  Supporting trans exclusive anything is the same as supporting discrimination.  They need to be reminded of that.  They need to be told, in a public setting, that if they support ENDA, without including trans people, they will be supporting prejudice and discrimination.  If they do that to us, they can do it to anyone.  Label them prejudiced and discriminatory and let's see how they react.Julie

Ooh!!!  Good point!  I will work that into my Trans 101 talking points!

Karen

What about "straight acting" Trans people....

It looks like a duck, acts likle a duck, sounds like a duck, must be a duck right?

I mean, its a pain to get a job cuz of that little M... In my city its ileagle to discriminate cuz Im TS but they can still find other reasons....  my favriote being "over qualified"

Last job I applied for there were uniform issues and everything else... but when I wouldnt budge on them they turned around and informed me I was "Over Qualified"  If they really dont want to hire you, there is allways a way...  Id just like the other issues <Like uniform> to be dropped

The problem I see is this, eliminate any group from any non discrimination act and you are telling the masses it's okay to discriminate against them.  Definitely a bad message to send.  However, if an all inclusive ENDA passes employers will still find ways to discriminate, just as Lynn pointed out.  Discrimination is very hard to prove in a court of law.  You need some pretty good documentation if you fall into a category that isn't universally accepted.  If a GG who is qualified for a position is passed over for a man considerably less qualified, odds are she'll get pretty favorable treatment in court.  If you insert a transperson in her place you'll most likely see prejudice rule in court as the judge accepts one lame excuse after another.  The stigma needs to be erased before we'll see a real end to discrimination. 

ENDA has the power to make people take notice that the GLBT crowd isn't going away so you might as well get used to it, but it won't end discrimination across the board.  If a prospective employer doesn't want to hire you, they will find a legally acceptable reason to turn you down.

Julie

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because you prefer muffins over donuts.

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because your kneecaps are showing.

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because you spell badly

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because you are asking for more than we can pay you.

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because you don't have a BA

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because you are overqualified.

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because the position has been filled

Quote from: Rebis on October 07, 2007, 10:52:55 AM
I'm sorry, I can't hire you because you prefer muffins over donuts.

I'm sorry, I can't hire you because your kneecaps are showing.

This got me thinking of the Fats Waller classic....

"Your feet's too big!
Don't want ya 'cause your feet's too big!
Can't use ya 'cause your feet's too big!
I really hate ya 'cause your feet's too big!"

we won't hire you 'cause your gender's too big

Z