Posted by Sarah Posner on May 1, 2009 2:00 PM

QuoteWhen I saw the press release, though, I was most struck that this group had, for the first time, endorsed a bill supportive of transgender rights. I asked Gushee about that, and he replied, "I guess. Though I see this legislation as about protecting every kind of marginalized and vulnerable group. I was attracted, especially, to the issue of Hispanics in light of our national mania over illegal immigration." I pressed him on his view of transgender rights, and he said he was "absolutely" committed to protecting transgender people from hate crimes, but not, for example, from employment discrimination. (He does, however, favor that protection for gays and lesbians.)

Emphasis mine - =K

Looks like everyone wants to dump us out of the LGBT equation.

Had a massive argument with my best friend (a muslim lesbian) over this two days ago. She felt that we should have our own separate organisations as our issues are different. Basically she is turning into a tolerant separatist and it's really pissing me off.

Imaz, I'm sorry about your friend's opinion.  These sort of betrayals hurt worst when they come from people we are close to. 

Thanks, frankly I've come to the conclusion that LGB community is increasingly hostile towards us even if they hide it most of the time due it being politically unacceptable to show it.

I've had massive problems with Muslim Gay men who can't even be bothered to hide it. Maybe it's the whole "Desi" trip as well, I don't know. But I do notice that here in the UK if one is a West African, South East Asian or European Muslim one tends to be marginalised whatever one's sexuality or gender.

There's a part of the problem, Imaz. There's still the gender binary construct which glb folks adhere to. Transgender people may not fit the binary construct because of its rigidity. It there are many constructs beside gender which stifle the spirit of many a transgender person.  Another point is that not all the gender expressions are adequately represented even in GLB community. For example, effeminate men and butch lesbians are shunted to the margins. Unless one looks 'masculine' enough or 'feminine' enough, they are overlooked and brushed off.

Gennee