On Wednesday November 7th 2007 the US House of Representatives passed landmark civil rights bill that will give people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual federal protection in the workplace.
However, most people still believe the House vote was largely symbolic because it will undergo severe scrutiny in the Senate and once again President Bush has vowed to veto the legislation.
Politicians have cited many reasons why transgender people were dropped from that bill, and one of those is religion.
Although the US Constitution strictly forbids the church from interfering in State or government affairs they still determine which laws get passed and which laws do not get passed. Dina Boyer a transgender activist says enough is enough. She says we need politicians that know the Constitution and will stand up to the religious right. She also says that it is also un-American or not patriotic to take taxes from people without Representation from the government.
However, Boyer also believes that TG activist need to rethink their strategies and create propaganda that shows the real life day-to-day struggles of the TG community.
"One of those includes the ideas that if you are TG then don't sleep with someone who does not know your true gender."
She says we need activist' that can show the struggles thru video, films, books etc. It is time America takes a look inside our lives. Boyer says America needs to see how we can and will be productive members of society.
Cecilia Chung Deputy Director of the Transgender Law Center, http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org says we need to focus on the people who are not perceived as the Jerry Springer types, and focus on how we can be included in legislation that will protect our civil rights. She also believes that Politicians are always pushing us under the rug, and are neither sympathetic nor empathetic when thinking about the TG community.
However, most people still believe the House vote was largely symbolic because it will undergo severe scrutiny in the Senate and once again President Bush has vowed to veto the legislation.
Politicians have cited many reasons why transgender people were dropped from that bill, and one of those is religion.
Although the US Constitution strictly forbids the church from interfering in State or government affairs they still determine which laws get passed and which laws do not get passed. Dina Boyer a transgender activist says enough is enough. She says we need politicians that know the Constitution and will stand up to the religious right. She also says that it is also un-American or not patriotic to take taxes from people without Representation from the government.
However, Boyer also believes that TG activist need to rethink their strategies and create propaganda that shows the real life day-to-day struggles of the TG community.
"One of those includes the ideas that if you are TG then don't sleep with someone who does not know your true gender."
She says we need activist' that can show the struggles thru video, films, books etc. It is time America takes a look inside our lives. Boyer says America needs to see how we can and will be productive members of society.
Cecilia Chung Deputy Director of the Transgender Law Center, http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org says we need to focus on the people who are not perceived as the Jerry Springer types, and focus on how we can be included in legislation that will protect our civil rights. She also believes that Politicians are always pushing us under the rug, and are neither sympathetic nor empathetic when thinking about the TG community.
Labels: civil, community, federal, politicians, rights, transgender
<< Home