Just thought I would chime in here.  I'm currently in Argentina, where our (USA)  stories of Transphobic bathroom policies, have reached it's population.

People here, are incredibly shocked!  They find it hard to believe that some of the nation, is spending all the time, effort and most of all, tax payers money, to harvest such hatred, on our very small, almost invisible, trans community.

Some are saying,it reminds them of the NAZI's; when they were measuring noses, to see if people were hiding the fact they were Jews.  What's next, a Patch on our clothes?

Others seem very disappointed in the U.S.A., and Obama, for not stepping in and putting an end to it.

Sad.

No reason to blame Obama, the US president doesn't have that sort of power to interfere in state laws, it is the US congress that needs to put a stop to it the need to send a nationwide LGBT protection bill to him to sign but congress is probably the least effective legislative branch of any government that has existed.

Quote from: Hikari on May 02, 2016, 08:55:35 PM
No reason to blame Obama, the US president doesn't have that sort of power to interfere in state laws, it is the US congress that needs to put a stop to it the need to send a nationwide LGBT protection bill to him to sign but congress is probably the least effective legislative branch of any government that has existed.

Actually, Obama is doing a lot. The U.S. Dept. of Education is threatening to withhold funds if North Carolina does not repeal their repressive bathroom law.

Also understand, that a bathroom law went into effect in one state out of 50. That's 2%. They have failed everywhere else.

I'm fairly amazed by whats going on myself, and I'm starting to consider avoiding travel to the USA. Logically perhaps not much has changed, but I never realized just how many people had these kinds of attitudes. I didn't much care for it anyway with all the security at the airports, but this feels way worse.

I'm just hoping there's going there's going to be a big backlash against it and laws protecting trans people get set in stone for the next generation.

It is sad that this is happening here in America. I don't think that this is about religious freedom like Republicans claim. I think it is about control. If it was about religious belief then they should show more compassion, kindness and tolerance.

Quote from: Hikari on May 02, 2016, 08:55:35 PM
No reason to blame Obama, the US president doesn't have that sort of power to interfere in state laws, it is the US congress that needs to put a stop to it the need to send a nationwide LGBT protection bill to him to sign but congress is probably the least effective legislative branch of any government that has existed.

I'd also mention the Supreme Court, as the judiciary has a more pronounced responsibility to overturn unconstitutional laws than Congress does to prevent them. 

And rest assured I'm no fan of Obama, but at worst he's absolutely innocent here. 

Also understand that this is a small part of America. Perhaps 30% of people that are "social conservatives" in areas in general that have more of them in it (The south etc.)

Public opinion is in our favor and it is growing more so. This does not mean the struggle is won, far from it, but you should not paint our vast country with the same brush. When national groups get on a national cause like the Target stores thing, it may seem grim, but its not.

Don't get me wrong, I voted for Obama. 
I'm not saying he's the culprit here. I'm just frustrated that he can't seem to do enough. But, I understand that there is a process to how things are done in our government, and he's not to blame for that.

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For the past few years, I've been traveling to Europe and South America. My spouse has also traveled to Asia.  It's been an awakening in many ways, to see and hear the perspectives of these people around the globe and how they see us (USA).  I certainly don't agree with all of it. But, there are times when I can see how and why they think what they do.
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My grandfather; who escaped the invasion of his country, told me that, the world (or country) goes through these waves of disillusionment, disappointment, and hurt. These things turn into Anger, Resentment, and blame. He could sense it as a child, and through his years, he had seen this pattern gain momentum at different times in different places.  I'm starting to see a little of this, here in the U.S.. 

When I went to Spain, it was the Gypsies that were considered filth there, and some Greeks.
When I went to France, it was the Muslims and Greeks, they were picking on. Italy, blamed the Gypsies and other Italians from another part of their country. In Argentina, they blame the U.S. for backing up their corrupt officials. They call us Yanks here. They also blame the Peruvians for the influx of undocumented workers (kind of the way the USA blames mexicans).  So, there is always a finger to point. 

I cut ties with some of my family over their political affiliations and the hate that was spewing out of their mouths.  I'm not even on facebook anymore, because I was so disillusioned with the posts, of people I knew, that were posting such hateful things...and most exclude any trans stuff. 

I guess I'm just venting, more than anything here. 

Quote from: suzifrommd on May 02, 2016, 08:59:19 PM
Actually, Obama is doing a lot. The U.S. Dept. of Education is threatening to withhold funds if North Carolina does not repeal their repressive bathroom law.

Also understand, that a bathroom law went into effect in one state out of 50. That's 2%. They have failed everywhere else.

The executive branch certainly has some power, and while I would like nothing more than the DOE to withdraw all funding from NC to show their support of the LGBT community, I have to temper that thought with the economic reality that if we would be essentially decimating the State of North Carolina's economy which is much more far reaching than desired. Either way it is playing with fire and dangerous when a solution from congress of the Supreme Court would be much cleaner and less troublesome for the mostly innocent people of North Carolina.