QuoteThe other problem is that activist groups can't get along when it comes to supporting ENDA. The biggest issue is transgender inclusion. Because many of ENDA's opponents use the whole pervert-in-the-little-girl's-room argument some have been quick to drop transpeople from the whole thing. What these people don't realize is that such opponents are never going to give in. In fact, when we stop fighting together and start turning against one another the right-wingnuts win. Not only does our legislation not get passed, but now we represent a smaller, divided force.

As Pelosi indicated now is the time for us to pursue inclusive legislation. Lest we forget, the Stonewall Inn was a popular hangout for a mixture of people, most significantly transwomen. The modern LGBT rights movement was sparked by a bunch of angry "->-bleeped-<-s" (a term too many of us throw around without discretion). To drop transgendered people out of our struggle for civil rights will not only weaken the movement as a whole, but will reveal an underlying weakness of character. If we can't stand up for each other, no one is going to stand up for us.