And it IS there issue. Consider the status of a married Lesbian, married in Canada, has benefits as married in New York that she will lose if Monroe is overturned. Further, though she is a married Lesbian in New York, she is unmarried but Lesbian in Pennsylvania and unmarried but a male in parts of Texans and Kansas. You do not think that this issue is precious to her?

As a Lesbian activist, I too held out for a better ENDA. In the best opinion of Lambda Legal, the stripped down version was so weak as to leave large numbers of Lesbians unprotected. Yes, I know that that Palinesque apologist for all things conservative Professor Carpenter disagrees, but one against hundreds of lawyers? Really. A lawyer myself, I believe that Prof Carpenter was simply being his apologist self for the right.

Are there trans-people who will noisily refuse to help us? Yes. There are also gay men and Lesbian women who will refuse as well. But my experience has been, at least in New York, that thr trans-women/women of operative history that I know are committed and working for everyone’s rights on all of our issues, full citizenship and complete equality. Please, respectfully, re-think your misconceptions about these women, and about trans men.

They are indeed part of our community, and theya re putting it on the line out there with us. Less can be said for the conservatives like Professor Carpenter, yet I do not see you dissing him with the same vigorous disdain that you extended to my Lesbian sisters of operative history. On their behalf, I request an apology

Excuse me ! its called the lgbT – T as in gender transgressors as in Transgendered or Transsexual Do you not get that if gender expression is NOT protected NO ONE IS ??? Do your homework. Please. Our struggle is paved in blood. And don’t worry the 30 million dollar bohemeth is going nowhere..AND how dare they call themselves the HUMAN rights fund IF some of us are disposable.
There is lambda Legal , the is the TASK FORCE and there is the NCTE.

There are decades of false promises..so do not ask us to ignore the duplicity of the HRC too many of us transgendered and PROUD gave our bucks..and have been lied to repeatedly AND we are dancing gleeful economic leftists..your elitism is showing dear one !

WE are hurt , we are outraged. And we are not going away and will not settle for less than full inclusion IN A NEW ENDA BILL and why you will not fight for us tooth and nail shows your sad lack of historical roots…there was a time when lives were ruined people killed , raped beaten – and it still continues WHY ? because they GENDER TRANSGRESS –

so don’t tell us, or any other self respecting gay or lesbian that its time to stop pressuring the HRC ! Just don’t do it ! – we are free to give our money to those who truly represent the people

its devisive on their part to seperate us – so lets look at this more closely – insider washington politics sucks..and Joe and the gang are laying down with dogs and getting up with fleas..

my i am never forgetting the fallen – our fallen…

so yes give to the HRC if you want to BUT do not ask US who have a larger view of community to join that why can’t we all just get a bong mentality –

yours in the struggle for full equality for all of US and that includes hetero normative Queer couples..The HRC failed us – they need to step up and not do this anymore !

pptg

To describe trans people’s anger without mentioning the broken promises bends the truth to make our frustration appear unjustified. Box Turtle Bulletin is normally scrupulously truthful. That’s its strength. Please don’t abandon that now.

HRC claims the role of leadership for the whole LGBT community, and raises funds on that premise, but is poor at keeping the trust of the community. Leadership that embitters more than it inspires weakens us all. HRC the most powerful organization today, but it doesn’t have to be, if people decide to channel their support through different LGBT organizations.

As you stated earlier, please explain how no protection for anyone is better than protection for millions? Its not a victory when no one’s protected.

JJ said “So let’s see: when a trans inclusive ENDA is passed (most likely years after sexual orientation), you’re not going to celebrate the legislative victory until signed into law??”.

Of course not, what would be the point? Such legislative “victories” are cold comfort when they are empty gestures.

JJ said “You’re bitter. It hurts to lose. You stamped your feet and made your threats and it aggravates you to no end that your usual shtick didn’t work.”.

You claim you aren’t biased against trans people but your own words betray you. One can see your hatred of transpeople and delight in our misfortune in the very words you right. Sad and shameful.

First you say
“The lobbying works both ways, right? (Oh, but it’s not.)

The truth is very few, if any. That’s because it’s not their issue. They can’t have it both ways.”

You basically take this whole “they’re not helping us, why help them?” attitude. Priya and Autumn handed you your hat on that one, rattling off a list of transgender activists who fight for LGB equality. Your first response was a mere “thank you” but now you write this:

“By that I mean you must be on the front lines for gender identity, NOT gay men and lesbians. You must tell your story first hand to lawmakers and we will support you as allies.”

First you say, “what have you done to help us?” then “thank you” now “nevermind, don’t help us, help yourselves, and we’ll help you.”

You’re a bundle of contradictions.

As I said before, we are We. Ok JJ, you personally, from now on, carry your own friggin water! I ask you JJ, what have YOU done?

I and nobody I know are asking you to carry our water. Frankly JJ, I personally wouldn’t trust you with any water. Ahh, and this seems the crux of the entire topic. Unlike you JJ, the HRC says they want to carry some water for Trans. HRC words which have not matched their deeds on more than just ENDA.

JJ, you seem rather historically spun on ENDA. I have been in DC for several years now. I’ve been there lobbying for trans inclusion, for same sex marriage, for Hate Crimes and for healthcare which is equal. There were calls and letters years before as well. Have you researched the events as they actually transpired? Evidently not or you would never have been so bold or feel the least bit justified saying anything including “good start” or “too little” and “too late”.

Calling people names like bitter or whatever childish rants you bring up shows your prejudice. Many prejudice people seem to make up demeaning or degrading terms and approaches for individuals they wish to suppress. I didn’t tolerate people belittling based on race in the 60’s and 70’s, didn’t tolerate belittling for a host of reasons since and won’t tolerate it now! For me, this is a fight to survive and yet I don’t give up on holding my hand out for doing the right thing for all. People fighting for survival should never be demeaned or belittled whether you identify with them or not. JJ, perhaps you wish further demeaning my life and efforts with your prejudice?

I believe there is a clear path for the HRC to mend the flat fence. Words aren’t going to fix the fence. Actions are! Calling the police on protesters in Texas was the wrong action. HRC needs to open it’s doors and invite the protesters in. Then HRC needs to be doing things for Trans inclusion not just talking. Actions will speak louder than words.

The original author of the article had pieces of a more reasoned approach. Though, I completely disagree with the premise that ENDA had any chance of passage last year. Nor do I agree the ENDA bill Bush people helped craft and HRC would have helped much of anyone. Also, seemingly the author doesn’t realize this is not the first time Trans was thrown off the HRC bus. For now, these are not the issues on hand, so please stop spreading propaganda on the issue and perhaps we can move on a bit. Phrases like “claim membership”, “dancing in glee” and “slighted” only inflame the division. Please stop dividing US into They and We again.

Timothy Kincaid, I agree, United WE Stand! My understanding is Trans activists have never been a trivial force and as I said before, I believe Trans activists can help! WE do need to be UNITED! I think the questions now are with trust and how for the fights ahead.