Grading the Trans Community
The Bilerico Project
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
June 18, 2010 11:00 AM


http://www.bilerico.com/2010/06/grading_the_trans_community.php


I'm busy today grading essays for my online summer courses. I'm in a grading mood.

I've also been spending a lot of time lately thinking about the trans community's recent failures with regard to ENDA and the New York State Gender Non-Discrimination Act.

That makes me think about what if I had to give a grade to the trans community as a force for change? What would I point to as "well done" and what would I point to as "needs improvement?"

It's not that I'm really in a special position to judge. I think that everyone ought to be thinking of how the community is doing. That includes not only trans people, but also straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning and all other allies. Why is this a good idea?

With respect to the author, this is based upon a notion that transgendered people are some community that must work hard, stick to their studies and be really good if they wish to be rewarded with equal rights.

No.

We seek the most basic right of all humans, self expression.

Not as part of some weird community but as individuals.

Self expression means anyone can express themselves, openly and within normal social conventions.

Self expression does not mean harming others. Nor does it mean special arrangements or dispensations.

Self expression does not legitimise obnoxious or beligerent personalities

Self expression means having the right to participate in society and contribute to the common good.

Self expression means having the same confidence that the law will protect and defend us if we are mistreated in the same way and no more than, anyone else.

Self expression mean we can be ourselves, as God made us.

I've also always been opposed to the idea of needing to be too much of a community. In my opinion the concept of community should only be relevant as far as the issues that actually affect all individuals within that community. That means that the trans community should be treated as such when it comes to trans-specific issues like anti-trans hate crimes or transitioning surgeries. However, issues like how much money trans people are making, what our politics are, our religious beliefs, etc. are taking it too far. Other than the essentials or the commonalities, I'm an individual and am not at all interested in "community organizing." This isn't communism.