I wrote a guest blog for Dr. Kelley Winters' site, commenting on Dr. Drescher's letter to the New York Times and the importance of transsexual children being able to socially transition at a young age. Written from my perspective as a mother, it offers some different insights into the issue. Check it out href = http://gidreform.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/response-to-dr-jack-drescher-and-the-new-york-times-about-childhood-transition-part-5-guest-blog/>here. Read More
In the print edition of the June 30 the New York Times, published a letter by Dr. Jack Drescher with the headline Sunday Dialogue: Our Notions of Gender. In the letter, Dr. Drescher comments on Coy Mathis and the Colorado Division of Civil Rights' decision to allow her to use the girls restroom in school. He continues with comments about gender dysphoric children and possible therapies for them.
His letter has prompted numerous responses both in the NYT and on websites and blogs. I found Dr. Kelley Winter's blog GID Reform Weblog full of interesting information and comment.
I stand with those who advocate allowing children to transition socially, giving them to opportunity to grow up as the person they know themselves to be. I applaud the Colorado Civil Rights Division decision. The California legislature's recent passing of a bill allowing students K-12 to use the restroom that matches their gender identity and presentation is also a step in the right direction. This bill also allows students to participate in sports and use locker rooms aligned with their gender identity Read More
Using a public restroom has never been a problem for me. I looked for the "woman" sign, in its various depictions, and walked right in. No thought. But that is not true for all of us.
I have accompanied transsexual women to retail stores, movies, and other public places where the dilemma of which bathroom to use causes a lot of stress. Going into the men's bathroom dressed as a woman was unthinkable. Entering the women's bathroom had its own problems. How would people look at them? Would they be rude or worse? We've heard horror stories of transswomen being abused for using the women's restroom.
If adult women feel pressure, imagine the confusion and stress felt by students deciding which bathroom to use at school.
So, California's passing AB1266 is a step in the right direction.Read more hereThe bill allows students K-12 to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity, not necessarily their physical body parts. The bill also permits students to participate in gendered sports and the appropriate locker rooms. Read More
The Supreme Court's ruling that DOMA is unconstitutional is a victory for equality in our country. When two people commit themselves to a lifelong relationship (That's the hope, anyway, for straight and gay couples), they should enjoy the same protections and support whether the union is between a man and a woman, two women, or two men. SCOTUS has ruled to do otherwise is unconstitutional. Still, most states do not recognize same-sex marriages. There is still work to do.
While striking down DOMA and passing on Proposition 8 is hopeful, it is not the whole story of this court's week of rulings. As Michelangelo Signorile wrote in the first paragraph of his Huffington Post blog, The Death of DOMA and the Transformation of America on Gay Marriage, the same court gutted the Voting Rights Act, removing federal oversight of changes in voting practices in states with a history of obstructing minorities right to vote. Read More
This article on the Huff Post caught my attention. Employment Non-Discrimination Act 2013:The 'T' in LGBT Protections.As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has be introduced into the congress...again. In its earlier forms, ENDA did not include transgendered people in its protection. Why? As Rep. Barney Frank was quoted in the above article: "There is more resistance to protection for people who are transgender than for people who are gay, lesbian and bisexual," Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said in a statement at the time. "This is not a good fact, but ignoring bad facts is a bad way to get legislation passed."
The 2013 bill includes transgendered people. As you can see from the graphic, only sixteen states provide employment protection for transgendered people. It is time to contact your Senators and Congressmen and express support for the inclusive bill.
No one should fear for his or her job because he or she is transgendered. Or gay or lesbian or Bi-sexual. This is an issue of discrimination and of justice. Click on the article or on the link below the graphic to learn more. Read More
Maybe it's because I just had a conversation with my sister about the Roman Catholic church's secrecy around its position paper on transsexuality. (Even enlisting the help of members of the hierarchy, I could not access the Vatican's position document on transsexuality issued "sub secretum" in 2000 and later sent to presidents of bishops' conferences.)
Maybe it's because I have written and talked to political representatives about passing laws to provide job and housing protection for transsexuals to no avail.
Maybe it's because I have a transsexual daughter.
Maybe it's because I have admired the Episcopalian's willingness to discuss difficult moral issues openly and to include in the conversation everyone from the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to the person in the pew. (Saint Benedict would be proud. See Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 3
Maybe it's because, like so many others, I grow tired of waiting.
Maybe it's all of the above. No matter. I am heartened by the Episcopalian decision to officially welcome and include transgender people in the ranks of clergy as well as adding transgender people to the non-discrimination canons. I agree with Rev. Susan Russell who said in her column, Episcopal Church Makes Landmark Decision for Transgender Inclusion, July 9, 2012 was a good day to be an Episcopalian.
A good day to be someone who trusts that the Spirit is dynamically present in the people of God, and that includes me and you and the two ladies down the street, and the young child who is afraid to say anything about how she is feeling about the wrongness of her body. A good day to be someone who trusts that the Spirit has something to say to the rest of us through the experience of their lives.
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