Misconception or Reality?

[Traci Elizabeth]

I have heard from different sources that Transsexuals are Liberals and are on the far Left.

Now, being that I am a staunch conservative on the far Right even though I do not always agree with their positions, I nevertheless , have always had conservative views.

So the question is: Are the "majority" of transsexuals Liberal in their thinking and actions?

I just don't see the connection between gender and one's political views. To me, they are totally separate.

[Frances]

Liberal and conservative do not mean the same thing from one culture to the next. In Canada, our center is America's (far) left. I think it depends on the issue, but I have no patience for politics mixed with religion, in any way shape or form. I can still be conservative on fiscal matters.

[Kathryn Martin]

Isn't this a question of priorities? If a politician takes a pro-active positive view of necessary changes to protect transsexual and transgender persons (for instance liberal) and the conservative opponent wants to drive us back into the closet, who would you vote for?

I don't think there is such a connection as sources have said.

I am a fiscal conservative and social progressive.


Liberal and conservative do not mean the same thing from one culture to the next. In Canada, our center is America's (far) left. I think it depends on the issue, but I have no patience for politics mixed with religion, in any way shape or form. I can still be conservative on fiscal matters.

and what Frances said

[Julia_in_Pa]

Traci,

Perhaps if you looked at it from being a fiscal conservative and a social liberal like I am and like many people are it would make sense.
Sadly most right wing conservative votors tend to vote in a socially conservative fashion as well.

The overwhelming majority of conservative political leaders or those seeking power are rabidly anti gay and anti trans.
They pander to what their paid researchers are telling them their voters would want and they promote, push and enforce damaging and destructive anti GLBT legislation that does nothing but marginalize and diminish those in our community.

This is not to say that all democrats are pro gay and pro trans either which has been made quite evident in the black community and their stand against same sex marriage.
You also see a strong religious bent against GLBT rights in the Hispanic community due to very strong ties to the Roman Catholic Church.

The vast majority of those that vote within the context of the anti gay ant trans arena is the politically conservative faction of this country.
News headlines from Dr. James Dobson who is a leader in the conservative Christian Republican field to Republican Senator Richard Floyd from the state of Tennessee who was quoted in saying if he found a man in a dress in the women's restroom in his state he would stomp a mud hole in them.

Given the avalanche of anti GLBT rhetoric, bigotry and hate coming from the right wing it really isn't rocket science to ascertain what party the majority of the GLBT community flocks to.


Julia

[RADER]

If I was not fiscal conservative, I would not be able to survive on only a SS pensions.
Why can the government spend so much and earn so little.
How does the/ any government expect to survive by giving away the country's wealth.
Wealth that is not their to spend.
Sorry, I got carried away.
Rader

[Badtranny]

oooooh if you're baiting me than I will bite on this one every time. ;-)

A TG person who votes republican is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.

I have no idea why someone would vote for a party and support a population that would be quite happy to see them legislated out of existence.

[outhiking]

I'm more about free markets and fall on the libertarian side of things. As it stands, the Republicans are closer to this then the Democrats, so I guess that makes me conservative.

[Traci Elizabeth]

oooooh if you're baiting me than I will bite on this one every time. ;-)

A TG person who votes republican is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.






OH! I really like this sentence. I fell off my chair from laughing so hard. Thanks! I needed a good laugh!

I also like the response of some of you that, "I am a fiscal conservative and social progressive/liberal."


Given the choice of more than one answer, I would chose that as well. But when you go to the voting booth, you can only vote for ONE candidate for a given position.

[arbon]

I have no idea why someone would vote for a party and support a population that would be quite happy to see them legislated out of existence.

That is how I feel about it to.

The positions / actions /agenda of my states ruling party (the right) would not be good for me at all if they had their way......

[LeaP]

Any pandering to any of the letters in LGBT by any politician is just that. Here in the Northeast, both parties pander to at least a letter or two. The letter of choice, because it's pretty safe these days, is "G", followed by "L". No-one, however, wants to hear about "B" and as for the "T", the idea that anyone even bothers pandering, never mind supporting, is funny enough to give me a coronary. I might also point out how many times the "L"s and "G"s have thrown the "B"s and "T"s under the bus in pursuit of their own interests.

[KaTanya]

Life is multi-faceted. If you focus too much on one side, you can really miss out.

Take the big LGBT issue of our time, Gay Marriage (tm). I'd like someone to explain to me why they're for marriage for anybody.

Unless you're a member of a royal family, or marrying into one, marriage exposes one to all sorts of liabiliies, the kind that cause stress, which all too often leads to a trip to an attorney's office and becomes full of fail for both parties, to the benefit of said attorneys. There's a reason both church and state view marriage as an "institution". You figure that reason out, you'll have a better idea where you stand philosophically, which is far better (and cooler) than knowing where you stand politically.

[Julia_in_Pa]

Traci,

If you are forcing a decision like that then at the voting booth I have to vote for survival.
Survival and advancement not only for myself but for my community.

If your forcing my hand here then it has to be the progressive democratic vote because I'm not going to vote for a party that would rather I not exist on this planet.

There you go!



OH! I really like this sentence. I fell off my chair from laughing so hard. Thanks! I needed a good laugh!

I also like the response of some of you that, "I am a fiscal conservative and social progressive/liberal."


Given the choice of more than one answer, I would chose that as well. But when you go to the voting booth, you can only vote for ONE candidate for a given position.

[Badtranny]

Take the big LGBT issue of our time, Gay Marriage (tm). I'd like someone to explain to me why they're for marriage for anybody.

Gay marriage is really marriage equality. Our constitution grants us the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No where does it say "unless you're gay, gross". Why shouldn't my gay friends be allowed to marry the person they love? Who gives a rip about what the Mormons, or Christians, or Muslims, or Scientologists say about it? We are not a theocratic government as far as I know and there is no good constitutional argument against marriage freedom. In fact there's no argument at all that doesn't include the words "tradition" or "God".

The regressive conservatives are fighting a losing battle on this one. Freedom always finds a way and it's only a matter of time before we will be free to marry the person of our choice regardless of the contents of their underpants.

[Bree-asaurus]

Gay marriage is really marriage equality. Our constitution grants us the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No where does it say "unless you're gay, gross". Why shouldn't my gay friends be allowed to marry the person they love? Who gives a rip about what the Mormons, or Christians, or Muslims, or Scientologists say about it? We are not a theocratic government as far as I know and there is no good constitutional argument against marriage freedom. In fact there's no argument at all that doesn't include the words "tradition" or "God".

The regressive conservatives are fighting a losing battle on this one. Freedom always finds a way and it's only a matter of time before we will be free to marry the person of our choice regardless of the contents of their underpants.

What, was it 50 years ago when interracial marriages were illegal?

OMG THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORD MARRIAGE!

Our nation wasn't even a friggin CHRISTIAN nation when it was founded... all that "in god we trust" BS was added pretty dang recently...

[Cindi Johnson]

From posts to this website over the years, it seems about half of TG's vote Republican, even though that party's platforms in most states would deny us all basic rights, even the right to use a public restroom. Likewise, it seems maybe 80% of us are Christian, even though the majority of Christian religions (Southern Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, also Morman-if that is Christian) condemn us to their hell for all eternity. Thus, I'm left scratching my head.... Is it any wonder why the world at large doesn't take us seriously?

As was famously pointed out in the book "What's the matter with Kansas", people often don't vote in their best interests.

[Bree-asaurus]

From posts to this website over the years, it seems about half of TG's vote Republican, even though that party's platforms in most states would deny us all basic rights, even the right to use a public restroom. Likewise, it seems maybe 80% of us are Christian, even though the majority of Christian religions (Southern Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, also Morman-if that is Christian) condemn us to their hell for all eternity. Thus, I'm left scratching my head.... Is it any wonder why the world at large doesn't take us seriously?

As was famously pointed out in the book "What's the matter with Kansas", people often don't vote in their best interests.

Yup... my sister, who has a history of unplanned pregnancies, and where the next one may kill her or her baby (she has health issues), doesn't even care to vote... even though she can vote AGAINST the party that would tell her she can't have an abortion even though both of them could die next time...

[Persephone]

I so love the way that all of the "progressives" and "liberals" immediately arrive with all of their buzzwords and use them to butress the fortifications that they attempt to throw up (Hm, maybe it is me who wants to throw up?).

All of their statements and decisions about their "enemy" are always the demonizing charateristics that their side provides. Good Lord! Don't these people ever crawl out from under their banners and slogans, their self-defined straw men and their simplistic mantras and look around at the real world?

I live on the Conservative side of the spectrum and I'm damned proud of doing so! I do read some "liberal" blogs, listen to some "liberal" radio stations, receive email from "liberal" organizations and try to consider the issues that they raise. So why can't "liberals" ever do the same thing?

If you are a "fiscal conservative" and a "social progressive" then maybe you actually belong on the Conservative side. After all, we can (and do) make a difference in steering that ship. True Conservatives do NOT favor social control by the state (whreas "liberals" do), they are for individual rights and personal freedom. How could that be wrong?

Hugs,
Persephone.

[Kathryn Martin]

That is the greatest load of hogwash if I ever heard one. There are no true conservatives, and the degree of control conservatives wish to exert over our social mores is nowhere stronger. And why is it that always under the conservatives the fiscal house gets in disarray with huge deficits and spending and it's always the liberals that have to hold the bag when the conservatives get thrown out?


If you are a "fiscal conservative" and a "social progressive" then maybe you actually belong on the Conservative side. After all, we can (and do) make a difference in steering that ship. True Conservatives do NOT favor social control by the state (whreas "liberals" do), they are for individual rights and personal freedom. How could that be wrong?

Hugs,
Persephone.

[noeleena]

Hi,

Out of interest do you know where the .......In god we trust comes from.....have you had a hard look at the U S one $ note. going back a few years.

Bree

What do you see. or i should say how many underlays are there, printed under the top layer. think codes.

The triangle the all seeing eye think the Luminarty or the Rothchilds. masons. & so on.

It does not refer to as youd say God,

& the different levels alluded to & codes & what they ment. or mean. Oh yes politics is allso a part of that as well.
makes for interesting reading..

...noeleena...

[Julia_in_Pa]

I've said this in the past and I'll say it here;

The fastest way to turn a conservative into someone who votes democratic is to subject them to transition.
It's a cold and hard world out there when you are having to live it everyday especially in a state where it's right wing controlled.
All " Red " states ( those that are controlled by Republican governor's and/or houses ) are states without trans. protections and protections for the remaining GLBT communities unless those protections have been given previously by a former Democratic governor.

You will see a major percentage of people on this website as a whole being white, middle aged heterosexual male cross dressers.
It is a proven demographic percentage that most white middle aged men vote overall as conservative.
Makes sense to me.

If you take a middle aged " male " that feels that " she" must transition and actually does so you will find that person undergoing a paradigm shift in thinking when the realization that her world is no longer comfortable, safe, predictable or logical like it was when " she " still was pretending to be " he ".



Julia





From posts to this website over the years, it seems about half of TG's vote Republican, even though that party's platforms in most states would deny us all basic rights, even the right to use a public restroom. Likewise, it seems maybe 80% of us are Christian, even though the majority of Christian religions (Southern Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, also Morman-if that is Christian) condemn us to their hell for all eternity. Thus, I'm left scratching my head.... Is it any wonder why the world at large doesn't take us seriously?

As was famously pointed out in the book "What's the matter with Kansas", people often don't vote in their best interests.

[Sally24]

Here in the Northeast, both parties pander to at least a letter or two. No-one, however, wants to hear about "B" and as for the "T", the idea that anyone even bothers pandering, never mind supporting, is funny enough to give me a coronary.

As one who has lobbied in 2 of the New England states I'd have to disagree with this sentiment. We actually have more support here for trans people than almost anywhere else in the country. If we could get New Hampshire and New York on board it would be great!

I don't understand it but believe that the political bent of trans people is probably the same as the general population. About a third for either party and a third independent. If you go by liberal or conservative than each has just under 50%. Go figure!



It is a proven demographic percentage that most white middle aged men vote overall as conservative.


I think you would need to change that most to a majority. Most would imply 80-90% while majority would imply something over 50% which is closer to the truth.

[Badtranny]

I so love the way that all of the "progressives" and "liberals" immediately arrive with all of their buzzwords and use them to butress the fortifications that they attempt to throw up

Give me a specific example from this thread. There must be plenty to choose from.


(Hm, maybe it is me who wants to throw up?).

Please throw up a cognizant argument to marriage equality.


So why can't "liberals" ever do the same thing?

Who says we don't? How do you think we know how silly Fox News is? I practically grew up listening to Limbaugh. (who is a perfect model of drug addled conservatism)


True Conservatives do NOT favor social control by the state (whreas "liberals" do), they are for individual rights and personal freedom. How could that be wrong?

Because it's not true. Conservatives are for freedom as THEY see it. You are as free as THEY think you should be. They tirelessly work to legislate THEIR morality onto the rest of us. There is frankly nothing more frightening than religious fervor to someone like me. Someone who cant hide.

I wonder how these conservative CD's would feel if their beloved conservatives went after them they way they go after us. Would they just go deeper into the closet and join the mob?

[Kaitlyn Michele]

broad and useless generalizations about libs and right wingers aside, transsexuals as a group of have virtually no power in eitther party...our best bet is a one on one building up of our human dignity...the knives we suffer are in the back and deadly...so many people smile and wish us the best...its when we are not around that the damage to us is done..

lip service from liberals is only marginally better than the disdain we get from the right...liberals favor social control in the context of doing "What's best for us"..NO THANKS!!...conservatives favor social control in the form of "keeping things the way they are"..NO THANKS!!...

Being a longtime proponent of free markets and lower taxes, and having experienced the corruption and bloat of government first hand...i'm drawn to the more libertarian and tea party people....i'm not blind to the greed and competitive nature of big business, nor am i blind to the childish naivete of liberal socialists that ignore history (every overly liberal gov't fails economically---only some of the conservative ones do)...probably my favorite political idea is that college (ALL COLLEGES) should have a max cost of something like $10,000 per year...teachers should be paid on merit (Hard to implement), w/o lifetime pensions but also with high paying jobs that compete with companies..is that a liberal or conservative idea?? who cares...

i have attended 2 tea party oriented events, i have never even once experienced a situation (as a passable woman) of discriminatory or offensive talk.. the lunch event i attended had 3 speakers, and one of them spent about 10 minutes focused on inclusivenes of minority communities both as pragmatic politics and as the "right thing to do"...he talked at length about how he beleived tea party philosophy benefited minorities...at one point he said, why the hell should any of us care whether two guys get married? when the economy is going to hell...all the speakers were equally and enthusiastically cheered... i'm sure some conservatives in the audience cringed but who cares

the media is the media from both sides...msnbc vs foxnews is kind of like the WWF...its all a show..red meat for the useless idiots of both sides...cnn tries to be balanced, but no one will watch it!!

if there was only a WWE vs WWF type event where both channels fought it out on one show!! that would be awesome!!

politics has been dirty business since the dawn of man..."Et tu, Brute?"

[LeaP]

As one who has lobbied in 2 of the New England states I'd have to disagree with this sentiment. We actually have more support here for trans people than almost anywhere else in the country. If we could get New Hampshire and New York on board it would be great!

I don't understand it but believe that the political bent of trans people is probably the same as the general population. About a third for either party and a third independent. If you go by liberal or conservative than each has just under 50%. Go figure!

I think you would need to change that most to a majority. Most would imply 80-90% while majority would imply something over 50% which is closer to the truth.

I understand your point about relative support in this part of the country but still see the political response as 100% pandering. Legislating on the politically acceptable within a culture that is already tolerant isn't the same as representing or fighting for equality. It's actually cowardice.

Both major parties absolutely have agendas for social manipulation and control along different lines. Politics is dirty, which is why I lean heavily libertarian ... and often vote that way.

[Julia_in_Pa]

It is indeed a paradox most of the time for me and others like myself.

I'm an NRA member, support the removal of illegal immigrants and the militarization of our southern border yet most of the members of the NRA along with staunch supporters of border enforcement and illegal alien removal would skin me if they knew what a biological anomaly I am.

It is indeed a paradox and a contradiction in terms


Julia

[LeaP]

I'm an NRA member, support the removal of illegal immigrants and the militarization of our southern border yet most of the members of the NRA along with staunch supporters of border enforcement and illegal alien removal would skin me if they knew what a biological anomaly I am.

Sorry, I don't agree with this characterization of NRA membership, or leadership, for that matter. The NRA is a single issue organization. While it's true that conservative politicians get the majority of support, there is a long history of support for ANY politician, including some very liberal democrats, that support the organization's aims on the issue.

it's a good example of how individual issues, interest emphases, political subgroups and trends, etc. play out in politics - invalidating the idea that any one party is the best approach. Playing an issue along partisan lines can actually be the worst approach with the slowest progress.

[elizabethamy]

Wandered in from the outside world to this thread, where the outside world of politics disrupts our usually much more focused discussions on Trans issues and lives...I could talk all night about politics but fortunately have other things to do...what scares me about these times is the use of "individual rights" and "economic conservatism" to mask what appears to be a new round of right-wing zeal for the suppression of gays and women (and obviously TG/TS people). Since the tea party takeover of 2010, in those states they won and in the U.S. House, the majority of legislative effort has been about abortion, contraception, gay marriage, etc, while very little about the economic changes that were promised. I think people vote goodheartedly for the philosophy they think they're going to get and end up disappointed as they are used by the people they elected. This is true on both sides, currently more so on the right than the left. In these times, folks like us ought to be single issue voters, given that the single issue is basically the suppression of who we are and what we are allowed to do, and even whether we are allowed to exist.

elizabethamy
"

[TGMarla]

I openly admit that liberal politicians seem to have transgender rights better planted in their platforms. That said, if you vote based only on one issue and one issue alone, then you do a great disservice to society as a whole. I, for one, am unwilling to sacrifice everything - my home, my future, my country - simply to further transgender rights. Any vote for liberal agendas will be like agreeing to the most destructive policies imaginable in the areas of fiscal policy, immigration policy, business regulation policy - you name it. To my mind, there are VERY few issues on which I agree with liberals. One of them is in the area of equal rights for transgendered people. However, this one issue is not enough by a long shot to win my vote.

[Julia_in_Pa]

If you transitioned you would not be voting this way.
If you did you'd be shooting yourself in your own foot.

When it comes to day by day survival as a transitioned person your needs are placed way way ahead of your political bent.
Perhaps one day you too shall understand that Marla.


Julia



I openly admit that liberal politicians seem to have transgender rights better planted in their platforms. That said, if you vote based only on one issue and one issue alone, then you do a great disservice to society as a whole. I, for one, am unwilling to sacrifice everything - my home, my future, my country - simply to further transgender rights. Any vote for liberal agendas will be like agreeing to the most destructive policies imaginable in the areas of fiscal policy, immigration policy, business regulation policy - you name it. To my mind, there are VERY few issues on which I agree with liberals. One of them is in the area of equal rights for transgendered people. However, this one issue is not enough by a long shot to win my vote.

[Anna Lorree]

In reply to the OP, most people would assume I am in the far-right. My personal political statement would be that I am a fiscally conservative Constitutional libertarian. In other words, get government as far out of my life as possible and toss in a healthy quantity of "live and let live" when dealing with other people. What other people do shouldn't bother me as long as they aren't hurting anybody. That is my ideal, I understand that reality falls short of that.

Anna

[Kaitlyn Michele]

I transitioned and i vote "this way"..... i've been around the block and i have my own views (which may differ than yours)...

i'm surviving quite nicely...my views are driven by what i beleive to be the "way it is" based on my own life experience
and not some fantastical world where we are freely accepted by all

...laws and politicians have very limited value to us no matter how favorable to our situations..

[Anna Lorree]

From posts to this website over the years, it seems about half of TG's vote Republican, even though that party's platforms in most states would deny us all basic rights, even the right to use a public restroom. Likewise, it seems maybe 80% of us are Christian, even though the majority of Christian religions (Southern Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, also Morman-if that is Christian) condemn us to their hell for all eternity. Thus, I'm left scratching my head.... Is it any wonder why the world at large doesn't take us seriously?

As was famously pointed out in the book "What's the matter with Kansas", people often don't vote in their best interests.

I think a huge part of the political problem is that a given politician will have opinions I like about some issues, and opinions about issues I don't care about, or that are less important to me. Thus, a vote for the issues that I care about (trans issues, gun control/freedoms, fiscal policies, immigration, abortion, or whatever) is also a vote for the things I don't care about, and a vote for the issues I am against! Every time we elect a politician, we are electing a person who WILL hurt a cause we care something about. It is a matter of prioritization with regard to your causes.

As for the church, it is a political society as well. Just because I am trans doesn't mean I don't believe in God. God is NOT the church(s). God is (I believe) the creative force of the universe, and what made me the way I am (good and bad). As an aside, not all mainstream churches are anti trans. The United Methodists actually have trans clergy. I admit that they are still somewhat hung up on homosexuality, but they have shown movement on that in the past and appear likely to move on that in the future. At least they aren't calling it an unpardonable sin... I am a Methodist, and asked the church government for their views on transsexuality. They responded with the following:

Hello Anna,

The official statement on "Rights of All Persons" specifically references transgender persons:

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4951419&ct=6843145&notoc=1


Other statements on related issues do not specifically reference transgender persons, but may be helpful.

Human Sexuality
http://bit.ly/a5FJwq

Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation
http://bit.ly/cBqU9i

Church to Be in Ministry to Persons of All Sexual Orientations
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4951419&ct=6480555&notoc=1

[Anna Lorree]

broad and useless generalizations about libs and right wingers aside, transsexuals as a group of have virtually no power in eitther party...our best bet is a one on one building up of our human dignity...the knives we suffer are in the back and deadly...so many people smile and wish us the best...its when we are not around that the damage to us is done..

lip service from liberals is only marginally better than the disdain we get from the right...liberals favor social control in the context of doing "What's best for us"..NO THANKS!!...conservatives favor social control in the form of "keeping things the way they are"..NO THANKS!!...

Being a longtime proponent of free markets and lower taxes, and having experienced the corruption and bloat of government first hand...i'm drawn to the more libertarian and tea party people....i'm not blind to the greed and competitive nature of big business, nor am i blind to the childish naivete of liberal socialists that ignore history (every overly liberal gov't fails economically---only some of the conservative ones do)...probably my favorite political idea is that college (ALL COLLEGES) should have a max cost of something like $10,000 per year...teachers should be paid on merit (Hard to implement), w/o lifetime pensions but also with high paying jobs that compete with companies..is that a liberal or conservative idea?? who cares...

i have attended 2 tea party oriented events, i have never even once experienced a situation (as a passable woman) of discriminatory or offensive talk.. the lunch event i attended had 3 speakers, and one of them spent about 10 minutes focused on inclusivenes of minority communities both as pragmatic politics and as the "right thing to do"...he talked at length about how he beleived tea party philosophy benefited minorities...at one point he said, why the hell should any of us care whether two guys get married? when the economy is going to hell...all the speakers were equally and enthusiastically cheered... i'm sure some conservatives in the audience cringed but who cares

the media is the media from both sides...msnbc vs foxnews is kind of like the WWF...its all a show..red meat for the useless idiots of both sides...cnn tries to be balanced, but no one will watch it!!

if there was only a WWE vs WWF type event where both channels fought it out on one show!! that would be awesome!!

politics has been dirty business since the dawn of man..."Et tu, Brute?"

Where is the darned "Like" button???

Anna

[kimdl93]

What I find amusing and disconcerting about this topic is that there is a uniformly elevated level of sanctimony, based on what first of all is a false dichotomy...conservative vs. liberal. Julia makes a point that so often gets lost in such discussions (actually, they aren't discussions so much as volleys of talking points) that is, one seldom has views that can be reconciled neatly within either "conservative" or "liberal" labels. And secondly, I find that its far more useful and informative to ask what that label means to an individual than to ask a person ascribing to the supposed opposite view what the lable means. Conservatives are very happy to tell me what "liberals" think and conversely "liberals" have notions about what conservatives think...but my impression is that neither one has an accurate or complete understanding of the other.

[LeaP]

Where is the darned "Like" button???


X2!



Obligatory filler text. Please ignore the woman behind the curtain.

[Badtranny]

I could never give my vote to a person who has promised to deny my people equality. This issue trumps everything else to me. I will not support bigotry in any form and that's the end of it. Transsexuals who vote conservative are a mystery to me, but I certainly support their right to do so as I support my sisters first, and ask questions later.
Closeted people who vote conservative are sadly not a mystery at all.

[Anna Lorree]

I wish people would worry less about voting along party or group lines, and worry more about voting with their hearts and their conscience.

Anna

[Cindi Johnson]

Since 1969, gays have vigorously fought for their rights, as if their lives depended upon it. And, due to AIDS, often their lives do hang in the balance. They look at two parties and work with only one, and it’s not the party that demagogues against them with religious fervor (and please, don’t bring up the joke called “Log Cabin Republicans”). And guess what? The gays are succeeding; they are succeeding because they are united in support of those politicians who support them in their quest for basic human rights.

Meanwhile, we TGs say to ourselves, “Well, these people may hate me, but I love my guns and I hate Obamacare!” as we pull the GOP lever. Yes, we love our rights and our closets!

I challenge you conservatives who deride single issue voting to back your words with action. Go to your GOP state conventions and argue for your rights! Demand your rights! Make them remove the anti-TG planks from their party platforms. Damn it, we have the right to go to Target and shop! We have the right to enjoy a Latte at Starbucks! We have a right to pee, for God’s sake! Who the hell are these religion zealots on the right to propose to deny us such simple pleasures? (You say they don’t? Read your state GOP party platforms, please.)

I'd say the same thing to those of the other party, although at the Democratic conventions I’ve visited, TG’s are present and accounted for; we do not hide.

[Sally24]

Since 1969, gays have vigorously fought for their rights......... gays are succeeding; they are succeeding because they are united in support of those politicians who support them in their quest for basic human rights.........Who the hell are these religion zealots on the right to propose to deny us such simple pleasures? (You say they don’t? Read your state GOP party platforms, please.)
................at the Democratic conventions I’ve visited, TG’s are present and accounted for; we do not hide.

I'll have to add a tremendous LIKE here!

[Bree-asaurus]

I'll have to add a tremendous LIKE here!

Like++

I don't see much difference between one politician and another... it's a two party system, but it's all one giant evil. When I vote, I vote for the lesser of two evils and... that usually just so happens to be the democrats because they aren't the ones saying that certain people don't have the same basic rights others do because of religious reasons.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

We are all different..and we all have many facets.


i'm a parent
i'm a woman
I had grs
i'm a catholic
I'm well educated
I love the internet
i beleive in personal responsibility

I made life choices that impacted my quality of life over many years including my career, my family and ultimately my transition..

i can prioritize them all as I see fit..my own economic knowledge and my pragmatic nature pushes me towards prioritizing my votes around securing a financially sound future for my children..
i beleive that legal rights to work are important and already exist..but as a transsexual i believe they have almost zero real value to us...as i said, the damage to us is done in the dark of night
i couldn't care less where you pee, and we all know you have the right to wear whatever you want to starbucks...

It's one thing to tell me you don't believe what i beleive or try to solicit my support...but i'll be d**med if i am gonna let anyone tell me what matters to me..

[LeaP]

I challenge you conservatives who deride single issue voting to back your words with action. Go to your GOP state conventions and argue for your rights! Demand your rights! Make them remove the anti-TG planks from their party platforms. Damn it, we have the right to go to Target and shop! We have the right to enjoy a Latte at Starbucks! We have a right to pee, for God’s sake! Who the hell are these religion zealots on the right to propose to deny us such simple pleasures? (You say they don’t? Read your state GOP party platforms, please.)
.

As it happens, I'm sitting in Starbucks with a latte as I write this!

A fair challenge. So I pulled up my state's GOP platform and read it. With the exception of planks on marriage equality and abortion, I rather like it. Interestingly, the GOP-dominated legislature rejected the last attempts to kill same-sex marriage in the state. (and it is marriage, not civil union) It's also interesting that the governor, who is a Democrat, was opposed to same-sex *marriage* and ran on a platform of only supporting civil union.

I won't be going to any conventions, though. That requires being a party member. I've been an independent since 1973. As others have said: conservative != Republican.

[Badtranny]

As it happens, I'm sitting in Starbucks with a latte as I write this!

HEY! I just noticed you've quoted me in your sig. I totally forgot I wrote that! ;-)

I am immensely flattered and humbled by that. Thank you.

...I'm still a damn dirty liberal though.

[LeaP]

HEY! I just noticed you've quoted me in your sig. I totally forgot I wrote that! ;-)

I am immensely flattered and humbled by that. Thank you.

...I'm still a damn dirty liberal though.

LOL!

It's been there since you wrote it.

Nothing wrong with being a liberal. There are many points on which liberals and Libertarians can agree. My conservatism is primarily on fiscal policy.

[Babeba]

This is one reason I like municipal politics... Not party oriented means you actually do vote for the person who is best. It's how the mayor of my old hometown is now one of the most trusted people in Canada, and not only the first non-white mayor that town city has seen but I think he may also be the first Muslim mayor in Canada. He wasn't elected to make a statement though, he was elected because without being able to hide behind party walls he was clearly awesome. His money saving measures actually DO save money... Like when instead of paying tens of thousands of dollars to get council session transcripts made, he just asked broadcasters present for their closed caption text to spruce up. Bam. Money saved. On the other hand, for the Province to say they had saved money in their arts and heritage budget they fired a bunch of government staff... Then took money from their overall HR budget to hire "contractors." they also started staffing some sites, like the Oil sands Discovery center up North by flying staff from other sites there on two week rotas... Having to not only pay the extra staff time but also the transportation, accommodations working remotely bonuses, and per diems of those workers.

There are things that really trouble me about the big C conservatives here and the libertarian, far-right provincial party... The federal government is doing troubling things to education funding and strangling publication of independent scientific studies; they have railroaded through a bunch of ridiculously bad "cut through the red tape" bills that actually make it pretty much impossible for us to protect the environment in this country... Making it so that big multinationals funding projects in this country can destroy our 'home and native land' when the actions it would take to protect it would cost them tiny amounts compared to the scales of their projects... To the point where CHINA has been questioning WTF our government is doing to protect human rights and stop pollution.

The libertarian provincial party, meanwhile, still hasn't lived down the whole "gays will burn in a lake of hellfire" comment and added to that by saying setting aside $ 1 million dollars per year to fund transitions/GRS was stupid, pretty much just plastic surgery for vanity and they should do things to save lives with that money instead like buy insulin pumps (which are very nice, but have their own issues plus don't do too much extra that already-covered insulin shots do and can get you in a lot of trouble if you don't constantly check your blood), hearing aids for seniors (which already has funding, and a million isnt going to do much to change things there) and get dental care for children in poverty (ditto). I personally think GRS is the best bang for buck here, but because the leader doesn't think it's necessary she is against it.

[Renee_E]

Politics and gender are much like apples and oranges not even closely related.

[arbon]

I just don't see the connection between gender and one's political views. To me, they are totally separate.


In the last three years:

President Obama banned job discrimination based on gender identity throughout the federal government
--------------------
The Social Security Administration stopped sending gender no-match letters to employers
--------------
President Broadens Hospital Visitation Rights
Transgender people able to designate our visitors, decision makers
--------------
Today, the Obama Administration announced historic new federal rules that will strengthen housing discrimination protections for transgender and other LGBT people.
------------
The Department of State revised the standards for changing a gender marker on a passport without surgery, making the process less burdensome for transgender people
____________
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled Monday that employers which discriminates against an employee or potential employee based on their gender identity is in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex.
---------------------------------
New Veterans Administration Healthcare Policy For Transgender And Intersex Veterans
---------------
Amanda Simpson, appointed to Department of Commerce
----------------
President Obama has signed into law the very first protections for transgender people in US history: The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
----------------
The National Center for Transgender Equality praises the U.S. Department of Justice for joining a landmark federal lawsuit on behalf of a gender non-conforming middle school student who faced a two-year ordeal of harassment and abuse because of his gender expression.
--------------------


If a McCain had been in office, would any of that have happened?

[Anna Lorree]

If a McCain had been in office, would any of that have happened?

Maybe, maybe not. Of course, we can never say for certain. However, I would ask one question. Is trans equality the only issue that concerns you when voting? Yes, it DOES concern me, but it is certainly not the only issue I worry about. Other issues must be evaluated and considered when considering ANY potential politician. We have to run a society in every one of it's many aspects, not just find somebody who can pass a LGBT popularity contest. This is not an endorsement for McCain, I didn't like him either. Honestly, I distrust everybody who wants to be president. The only reason anybody seeks that job is for their own ego or greed.

I am not attacking Obama, nor am I defending the GOP. I dropped out of the two party system when I realized that both the Republicans and the Democrats were essentially both equally ****ty vote *****s, more interested in the funds and political power they could allocate than in actually doing what is best for the country and society. Sure, there are a few exceptions in both parties, but by and large it's all a power grab. I am a Constitutional Libertarian. I want the federal government trimmed down to what it was meant to be, and I want as much personal freedom as I can possibly have. My rights end when they infringe on somebody else, just as theirs end when they infringe on me. I want equal rights as a person, not special protections because I am trans. Every success or failure in my life is my responsibility, even if things aren't fair. We were all created equal, naked and helpless. What we achieve in life is largely a matter of simply not giving up.

JMHO,

Anna

[Aprilrain]

this is why there are 2 parties. one gets elected and makes some good changes and some bad changes then the people get sick of them so the other party gets elected and they make some good changes and some bad changes then the people get sick of them and then the other party gets elected and...................................

[Bree-asaurus]

this is why there are 2 parties. one gets elected and makes some good changes and some bad changes then the people get sick of them so the other party gets elected and they make some good changes and some bad changes then the people get sick of them and then the other party gets elected and...................................

And.... we all end up in 1984 ;)

[Anna Lorree]

And.... we all end up in 1984 ;)

Hehehe, I'm glad I'm not the only person here who has read that.

Anna

[Bree-asaurus]

Hehehe, I'm glad I'm not the only person here who has read that.

Anna

It was required reading in HS but I enjoyed it :)

[Anna Lorree]

It was required reading in HS but I enjoyed it :)

High school ended 21 years ago, so I couldn't tell you what the required reading was, anymore.:doh:

Anna

[ColleenA]

High school ended 21 years ago, so I couldn't tell you what the required reading was, anymore.:doh:

Hey, required reading doesn't have to be just for school :). I read "1984" in HS back in the mid-70s. I put it on my personal required reading list again last year. I enjoyed it more now than I ever could have then. :2c:

[Anna Lorree]

Hey, required reading doesn't have to be just for school :). I read "1984" in HS back in the mid-70s. I put it on my personal required reading list again last year. I enjoyed it more now than I ever could have then. :2c:

I still read. A few years ago I was reading Heinlein, and this year I read the Hunger Games trilogy (I know it was aimed at teens, but it was a fun read all the same). Mostly now, I read textbooks because I am back in college.

Anna

[mcvste]

I always vote liberally and strongly identify as a liberal. It's because being trans has made me see how disadvantaged people in the community need help, and how only liberals can help them in my opinion.

However, socially I am more conservative than most in my generation (Gen Y). I am totally against the idea of unilateral divorce, I don't like how our media has been sexualised in the past few decades or so, and can't stand the idea of polyamory at all. I mostly listen to traditional pop and country music, and I dislike people like Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian.

-Lara

[Aprilrain]

I am totally against the idea of unilateral divorce,

what is unilateral divorce??

Ok I looked it up. So no fault divorce
Next question; why?

Why should I need a "legitimate" reason to get a divorce? Isn't wanting a divorce pretty much an indication that the relationship is no good? I cant see how needing fault would be to the benefit of anyone and I can see how it could be to the detriment of woman who want out of an abusive relationship.

[Badtranny]

I mostly listen to traditional pop and country music, and I dislike people like Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian.

?

What does that have to do with anything?

[Stephenie S]

"Our nation wasn't even a friggin CHRISTIAN nation when it was founded... all that "in god we trust" BS was added pretty dang recently..."

So true. I was alive and in school when the "under God" bit was added to the Pledge of Allegiance we all said in school every morning.

[TGMarla]

Oh. And so, Julia in Pa, you're going to drop the "Perhaps one day you too shall understand that Marla" line on me, huh? Like I don't have any understanding of these issues? I've been transgendered since I was a kid. My whole life I've dealt with this. But, uh, I don't understand. You just keep on telling yourself that, Jules, and maybe you can convince yourself that it's the truth. Sorry, but I'd not hinge the entire future of my country on ONE ISSUE, even if it was an issue that was near and dear to my heart and my being. It's still only one issue, and about the only one on which I agree with Liberals. Spare me your sanctimonious bulls__t, Julia. Simply because I have decided to NOT transition doesn't mean I'm that much different from those who have. I believe in equal rights for ALL people, regardless of their gender status, sexual orientation, gender presentation, or choice of family pets. However, if the only way I could get that right now was by voting for Democrats, I'll suck it up for another election cycle and continue to support conservatives. After the deplorable way the Democrats acted when they had supermajorities in both houses in 2008, like pigs in slop ramming legislation down the throats of the People when they clearly did NOT want it, ignoring the pressing issues of our day while moving forward on their own agenda, and STILL not even beginning to address GLBT rights, I'll never grant them my vote again. I don't have to put my hand in a burning fire twice to make sure it's too hot to touch.

[arbon]

Maybe, maybe not. Of course, we can never say for certain. However, I would ask one question. Is trans equality the only issue that concerns you when voting?

Anna

Of course not, I have liked a lot of what our current administration has done, is doing.

On the trans issues he did not have to do any of the things I listed, its not going to win him enough votes to make any difference. But a few of those things have probably made a few peoples lives a bit easier.

[Badtranny]

Simply because I have decided to NOT transition doesn't mean I'm that much different from those who have.

Actually it's as different as day and night. If you decide TO transition you will see that your life has totally changed. I was completely out everywhere including work and talked about my upcoming transition quite frequently with colleagues but the day the rubber met the road was the day when I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore. I thought the whole time that I was openly transitioning but all I was really doing was openly talking about it. As long as you have the ability to put on your man pants when you feel uncomfortable, then you have no idea what it's like to transition. The politics that you now consider to be peripheral would mean something more to you when it becomes about your life rather than your lifestyle.

[TGMarla]

Point taken and thoroughly understood, Melissa. My point is that we're all sailing in the same boat, or at least in the same fleet. I'm still not willing to allow the complete destruction of my country, my privacy and civil rights, my whole way of life, simply because one party sees fit to do the right thing for the GLBT community, OF WHICH I AM A PART. There's no point in cleaning the living room if your house is burning down. And this is not in any way some kind of rally cry for the last administration either. That was awful; this is worse. We need to get some sanity back into government, and then address these issues.

It's odd to me that a country that finally saw fit to extend basic civil rights to its slaves, that finally gave women the rights to vote and own propery, that holds the Declaration of Independence and its immortal words "We hold these truths to be self-evident - that all men are created equal" (by "men", you know they mean everyone), cannot easily see fit to extend these civil rights to ALL citizens, even those who don't hold true to the societal norms of gender and sexual identity. This should happen regardless of party or political bend.

The path that we, as a nation, pursued from 2003 through 2008 was very destructive for us. The path we've followed since then is even worse. If it continues, we as a nation will not be able to continue, and all the rights you strive to attain will be for naught. We are $16 trillion in debt, and the present administration has no plans at all to even address the issue. Oh, but they're willing to allow gay marriage and maybe one day begin to address other GLBT issues. As of yet, they have not.

I'd also like to point out that despite the spoutings of prominent political leaders, like supporting a Constitutional Amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, such things almost NEVER come to fruition. Remember when they wanted to ban flag burning by Constitutional Amendment? Didn't happen. Nor will it.

I am a conservative - and I still support equal rights for all people in this nation.

[Inna]

I like shoes, stylish yet classy...............

[Rachel Smith]

this is why there are 2 parties. one gets elected and makes some good changes and some bad changes then the people get sick of them so the other party gets elected and they make some good changes and some bad changes then the people get sick of them and then the other party gets elected and...................................

Two words, Ron Paul, no offense meant

Love
Rachel

[Aprilrain]

Two words, Ron Paul, no offense meant

Love
Rachel

yeah but he has a snowballs chance in hell of getting elected
just sayin

[Rachel Smith]

If all the people with that view voted for him he would at least have a snowballs chance in Virginia instead of hell and we do get snow in Virginia. I would rather spend my vote for someone I agree with more rather then vote for someone that I don't agree with just to be with the masses. Surely all of us here know what it feels like NOT to be part of the masses.

Just sayin, lol.

Rachel

[Aprilrain]

im not arguing with you Rach but the reality is the guy is not going to get elected nor is any other independent

[Miranda-E]

I can't vote for a party that actively fights against my basic human rights.

[Sophora]

I can't vote for a party that actively fights against my basic human rights.

That is why I am voting republican and want to Obama out of office. Just sayin'

[Raquel June]

I have many conservative beliefs. I've owned guns and had a concealed carry permit. I'm also an atheist and I think anyone who opposes LTBT rights has their head up their ass. So I may be somewhat conservative, but I certainly can't say I'm right-wing.



I just don't see the connection between gender and one's political views. To me, they are totally separate.

That's like saying "I don't see the connection between being Jewish and whether or not you support the Third Reich."

You're an Uncle Tom transsexual. If you said you had a few conservative beliefs you could talk your way out of it. But you self-identify as a "staunch" and "far-right" conservative. You remind me of the Chappelle Show skit where Dave is a blind KKK member. Do you picket gay marriages?

Why do you have a KD Lang cover of a Leonard Cohen song in your signature? Don't you realize lesbians and Jews don't make it into heaven?

There are certain things that are deal-breaker political issues. If a political party supported slavery, even if you agreed with them on every other issue you couldn't support them. Because supporting them means you support slavery.

Saying you're far-right means you're OK with discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. If that's not how you feel, then you're not "staunch" and you're not "far-right." You might be some kind of conservative, but you're sure as hell not "staunch." Because all the other conservatives who identify as "staunch" are staunchly against LGBT equality.

I'm so fascinated by the ability of lower-to-middle-class people from South to support the right-wing. No matter how you try to rationalize it, you're saying you want the upper 1% to have more and you want people to be able to discriminate against you more openly.

[Raquel June]

im not arguing with you Rach but the reality is the guy is not going to get elected nor is any other independent

That's true. But I still have to write in Ron Paul if I want to be able to look in the mirror the next day. None of the other politicians can even answer a simple yes or no question without making it abundantly clear that they're totally full of sh*t. They really don't even seem like human beings to me.

[amielts]

I'm also liberal. It's not because I am trans. It just makes sense.

[Delila]

I encountered a similar issue recently. I mentioned to my wife about Obama's recent policy about illegals. She was angry at first and I had to explain that we generally agree with liberal policy other than this one thing and we needed to examine how this single position really affects us. Long story short you have to follow the group that will uphold your most important ideals even if the less important beliefs are ignored or even contrary to what your primary beliefs say.

[Rachel Smith]

im not arguing with you Rach but the reality is the guy is not going to get elected nor is any other independent

I know your not April. I think it's nice that we have a place to discuss ALL things in a safe and consensual manor. Discussion without hate and name calling can be a very fruitful thing and I see none of that here.

The American Revolution didn't start with thousands of people but rather just a few and I prefer to do my revolting at the ballot box. It's much safer that way, I hate ducking bullets, lol.

Peace
Rachel

[Sophora]

That's like saying "I don't see the connection between being Jewish and whether or not you support the Third Reich."

Wow. Just wow. Did you just compare Republicans with nazis. wow.



Don't you realize lesbians and Jews don't make it into heaven?

really? Too bad most Christians are not taught that. Too bad that the bible doesn't teach that. Yes there are zealots in any religion but that doesn't mean that the entire religion believes that.


There are certain things that are deal-breaker political issues. If a political party supported slavery, even if you agreed with them on every other issue you couldn't support them. Because supporting them means you support slavery.

Saying you're far-right means you're OK with discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. If that's not how you feel, then you're not "staunch" and you're not "far-right." You might be some kind of conservative, but you're sure as hell not "staunch." Because all the other conservatives who identify as "staunch" are staunchly against LGBT equality.

I'm so fascinated by the ability of lower-to-middle-class people from South to support the right-wing. No matter how you try to rationalize it, you're saying you want the upper 1% to have more and you want people to be able to discriminate against you more openly.

Actually there is where you don't understand. Please actually look into what you are saying. The reason that lower-to-middle-class people are right-wing is because of the ideology. A lot of them(including me) believe in the "American Dream." Hard work and perseverance will get you somewhere someday. The majority of your so-called 1% had to work and struggle to get that money. I believe in hard work and not giving handouts(which puts me into the republican party).

and you are right about one thing. One issue is not a deal-breaker and GLBT rights is not on my priority list.

Maybe it is my experiences but I haven't that much discriminated against. Maybe that colors my perception. I am a constitutional conservative and a liberal republican(lol).

[TGMarla]

Thank you Sephora. Um...no, I really don't think she was comparing Republicans to Nazis. To do so would be just plain stupid. And the so-called 1% did indeed work hard to get there. I'd advise anyone that if they want their fair share of the pie, they'd better start pounding some pavement and get working hard themselves. However, I think you'll find, at least in this section, that GLBT rights is near the top of their collective priority lists. It should be near the top of anyone's priorities in this country, because this country is supposed to represent freedom and equal rights for everyone who is a citizen.

But the party that (not openly) claims to support such equal rights for GLBT people has a track record of terrible destruction to our economy as a whole, and has systematically bankrupted us for several generations now. (They had help from the last Administration.)

But here's a question for all you road warriors: How has the Democratic Party in America furthered your fight for such rights? Other than the matter of gay marriage, I really don't see equal rights for GLBT citizens anywhere near the top of anyone's platforms. And even if it were, would you be willing to sacrifice the entire well-being of this nation simply to make gains on this one issue? Such equal rights won't do you much good if we're turned into the Weimar Republic.

[Raquel June]

One issue is not a deal-breaker and GLBT rights is not on my priority list.

And you're on this forum? That's F-ed up.



I am a constitutional conservative and a liberal republican(lol).

If you're a [socially] liberal Republican and you actually care about constitutional rights then I wasn't talking to you. You are not identifying yourself as "far-right" like the OP.


But most right-wing people on this form are crossdressers in the closet, so discrimination against trans people doesn't affect them since they're not trans. At least not publicly. And they're pretty much cowards.

And let's be honest. People like the OP were brought up as right-wing fundamentalists and they simply can't fathom the idea of considering any other view. It goes against their upbringing. They have no desire to question their upbringing. And they think they would go to hell if they voted for a Democrat. Even if Republicans came out and said that they want to rescind religious freedom and they want to deport all LGBT people, they would still not be able to vote for anyone else.

But take a step back and look at yourselves. If you've read the Bible, and if you are capable of any rationality, you would know that if Jesus ran for president it would not be as the Republican candidate. Jesus would likely not even support capitalism. At least not the form of no-rules corporate greed capitalism that the US has today.

[Sophora]

And you're on this forum? That's F-ed up.

umm Just because it isn't a priority doesn't mean I am a transsexual. What is f-ed up is the fact you are attacking my transsexuality because I don't make glbt rights or not in the democratic party. Who is attacking who now? Why do I post in this forum? After posts after posts on people attacking other people's transitions on here, I am wondering the same thing. I orgininally came here for support considering I have no one else at the moment. however this attitude that I see prevailing on here is I am more trans than you because x and y reasons when you are not(we are all equal).


This is the exact same argument I see from any democrat. The republicans are nice and collected and sticking with the argument while the democrats fly around the issue while insulting the speaker.


And let's be honest. People like the OP were brought up as right-wing fundamentalists and they simply can't fathom the idea of considering any other view. It goes against their upbringing. They have no desire to question their upbringing. And they think they would go to hell if they voted for a Democrat. Even if Republicans came out and said that they want to rescind religious freedom and they want to deport all LGBT people, they would still not be able to vote for anyone else.

Where the **** did you read that? here? The only posts like that were from democrats. I have seen people like Aprilrain(who is about to get grs) and sandra state on more on than one occasion that they do read the liberal issues and transsexual rights/issues are not their biggest priority. In fact, Anyone right now that is not making the economy at the moment the biggest concern should relook at what is going on.

However, if you want to make that your biggest selling point. Right now, Human freedom is the bigger issue at large. Do you think it will matter when we get all this freedom and everyone's freedom is taken? We are right now at the crossroads of history whether we admit it or not. This election will determine which way the economy is going to go. So yeah, transsexual issues is going to take a backseat at the moment(and frankly I don't even think of myself of transsexual...I am the women
that I was born to be.)

So yeah on the merits of what impacts me the most, transsexual rights are near the bottom of the list, because if this economy is not fixed then it doesn't matter.


At least not the form of no-rules corporate greed capitalism that the US has today.

oh I almost missed this as well. Did you know there is more regulations for companies then ever in history. And as soon as they comply with a rule it usually is changed the next. It is also more difficult to open a business than ever. And the great American traditions like the lemonade stand is obsolete because of all the rules that it takes(forms on forms) for even a kid(which most lemonade stands have had little kids at them to get a dollar or quarter) to operate.

Yep that is the no-rules corporate greed for you.

[ColleenA]

This is the exact same argument I see from any democrat. The republicans are nice and collected and sticking with the argument while the democrats fly around the issue while insulting the speaker.

This thread is turning very heated. While I have my views, I tend to keep them to myself when I see both extremes starting to hunker down, raise the barricades, and stockpile their rhetorical munitions.

However, I do want to call you out, Sophora, on this statement. Political discourse in America has been in decline for at least 20 years. Once the slinging of mud (and worse) gets going, neither side comes away with clean hands. To imply that one's own party remains upright and intelligent in their dealings while the other side cannot form a cogent sentence is blatant self-serving crap.

[Traci Elizabeth]

I have many conservative beliefs. I've owned guns and had a concealed carry permit. I'm also an atheist and I think anyone who opposes LTBT rights has their head up their ass. So I may be somewhat conservative, but I certainly can't say I'm right-wing.




That's like saying "I don't see the connection between being Jewish and whether or not you support the Third Reich."

You're an Uncle Tom transsexual. If you said you had a few conservative beliefs you could talk your way out of it. But you self-identify as a "staunch" and "far-right" conservative. You remind me of the Chappelle Show skit where Dave is a blind KKK member. Do you picket gay marriages?

Why do you have a KD Lang cover of a Leonard Cohen song in your signature? Don't you realize lesbians and Jews don't make it into heaven?

There are certain things that are deal-breaker political issues. If a political party supported slavery, even if you agreed with them on every other issue you couldn't support them. Because supporting them means you support slavery.

Saying you're far-right means you're OK with discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. If that's not how you feel, then you're not "staunch" and you're not "far-right." You might be some kind of conservative, but you're sure as hell not "staunch." Because all the other conservatives who identify as "staunch" are staunchly against LGBT equality.

I'm so fascinated by the ability of lower-to-middle-class people from South to support the right-wing. No matter how you try to rationalize it, you're saying you want the upper 1% to have more and you want people to be able to discriminate against you more openly.

Wow! Your assessment of me is so far off the mark you might as well throw darts at the moon as you would have a better chance of hitting it than understanding me. Just because I am a Lesbian does NOT mean that I associate myself with the Left liberal socialist thinking folks. I too am a gun carrying CCW woman who also happens to teach firearm shooting, marksmanship and defense to other women.; as well as a pilot who flew recuse missions for down pilots. Not to mention all my degrees in very conservative fields which are ALMOST entirely made up of Right-wing Conservatives. Add to that my career as an officer in the military. I am also a fiscal conservative, same-sex marriage advocate, volunteer to help the underprivileged in many different programs and capacity, and starchily an advocate for women's right to choose. Nevertheless, I am a proud Conservative on the far Right. That however does NOT mean I am a puppet to all their ideology.

[EnglishRose]

Why in the name of beelzebub is this politics thread still going?! (Note I do not worship beelzebub.)

[tanyalynn51]

I really love these kinds of questions as they do tend to expose stereotypes. I am a stone cold right wing small government conservative. I own a couple of guns that were left to me by my father and keep one around for protection (in my line of work, I tend to make a number of potentially lethal enemies), but the other is a collector's piece. But, on the other hand I get asked a lot how I can be a big supporter of protecting wolves, anti- hunting for sport (if anyone thinks that some people in the US dont still need to hunt for food to get by, get a reality check), I hate prejudice in all colors, and am also a moderate environmentalist. According to a lot of people anymore, I cant be any of things, and especially a transexual person and still be as conservative as I am. Frankly, I dont give a crap about people's stereotypes anymore. An author named William W. Johnstone, who in his time was alegendary conservative action, horror and western writer also held all of these views. His society that was set up after civilization collapsed in his series "Ashes" had lots of people of every kind, including all people from our community, as long as they could live under these relatively simple beliefs. He still has a large number of fans out there who believe the same way.

[ReineD]

I could see this topic's relevance to the transsexual community insofar as determining how TSs reconcile their political beliefs, if they align themselves with a political ideology that historically has been rather conservative. Despite the potential for contentious debate, the thread was humming along nicely. Until today. Now, it has disintegrated into personal criticism in addition to turning into a discussion of the merits of one political belief over another, plus talk about firearms, all of which is against the rules here.

Thread closed.