Why does it feel like gays have more rights than TGs/TSs?

[tgirlinva]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like gay individuals have come so far as to getting recognition and rights in the eyes of the law. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's unfair in the sense that they shouldn't get any right, any right at all is a stride forward for us all, but I feel like us TSs still are lurking in the shadows of lymbo, without any recognition. We are like the step-children of the unknown.

We are often associated with gay people (i.e. LGBT), but don't really have any rights, unfortunately :sad:

[John]

Actually, I feel that the reverse is true, in Britan at least.

Transpeople have legal protection from employment disctimination, goods and services discrimination (so I beleave), harasment, and we're covered hate crime acts. We have the Gender recognition act 2004 by which we can get gender recognition cirtificates, and chainge our birth cirtiricates (providing they originate within the UK). We can get counseling, hrt and srs on the NHS. I'd say that we effectivly have legal equility (though if someone knows diferently, do shout).


Gay people have legal protection from employment disctimination, goods and services discrimination,harasment, and we're covered by hate crime acts.

However, we don't have marige equility (marige and civil partnerships arn't just diferent in name, they have diferent legal implications in this contury), we don't apear to have benefit equility (any forms I fill in for benafits include partner details, but specify that a partner is 'someone you are maried to or someone of the opersit sex that you live with as if you are maried', implying that unmaried gay people don't get the same benafits as unmaried strate people).

That's how it feels to me here, but I recognise that the situation can be dramatically diferent elswhere.

[Diane CHILDS]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like gay individuals have come so far as to getting recognition and rights in the eyes of the law. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's unfair in the sense that they shouldn't get any right, any right at all is a stride forward for us all, but I feel like us TSs still are lurking in the shadows of lymbo, without any recognition. We are like the step-children of the unknown.

We are often associated with gay people (i.e. LGBT), but don't really have any rights, unfortunately :sad:

Hi .... you don't say what country you live in.

In the UK, TS's are not lurking behind gays in the eyes of the Law.

However the protection given to TS's does not always extend to TV'S. To be assured of protection from discrimination you must have TS status (a medical diagnosis only, it doesn't matter if you are pre op/ post op or non op) ...... to be honest there isn't a great deal of discrimation against TV's but if (for example) you were bullied by an employer you would have protection in law as a TS but not necessarily as a TV.

The same protection applies in other European counties signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights Act 1998 and subsequent pieces of legislation.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980042_en_1


In America doesn't the situation vary from State to State ? I'm sure that given time the playing field will level out in the USA but for that to happen trans people have to be seen and heard in the same way that the gay folk made themselves heard some years ago. A hurdle to overcome will probablly be the views of the Christian right .... not a problem over here, our society is far more secular..... but gay folk have managed it to a large extent so why not?

Di

[Dawn D.]

tgirl,

It takes so long for change to happen that sometimes when it does, we just miss the opportunity to recognise it. In the three years since my awakening, I have been trying to stay very focused on everything that comes along in regards to our community in particular, issues being brought to the forefront for awareness and equality. I have to say there have been great strides in just the past couple of years. Witness what just happened in the courts in Washington DC (Diane Shroer) or the victory in Montgomery Co., Maryland. These are just a couple of incidents in a mix of others that are bringing about change. I too wish it would happen sooner, after all I am not getting any younger! But, it is happening.

One of the things that is not helping us on this front, is the fact that a lot of us are still not making ourselves visible enough to the world at large. I will include myself in that. And, we all have legitimate reasons for not doing so. Until we can overcome our trepidations about our own public viewings and encounters, until we are willing to stand and let our voices sounding the issues and concerns we have be heard, it will take longer to gain more in society. How many of us actually involve ourselves in GLBT events and forums? How many of us actually donate to the various organizations that support our issues? How many of us reach out to community leaders to bring forth our concerns for the proper recognition that we need to be safe and secure? Sadly, not enough. And again, I'll include myself on that list.

In my defense I will state that I know my situation is very close to changing on the front of public revelation and as well, my physical support that I will provide to some of the organizations that need it. We need more of us to take that risk and make that stand. Plain and simple. It will make a difference!

I'll get down off the soap box now before I slip and fall.




Dawn

[Diane CHILDS]

. We have the Gender recognition act 2004 by which we can get gender recognition cirtificates, and chainge our birth cirtiricates (providing they originate within the UK). We can get counseling, hrt and srs on the NHS. I'd say that we effectivly have legal equility (though if someone knows diferently, do shout).

.

Very true John and of course under the Gender Recognition Act it is possible to get a gender recognition certificate as a female and change birth certificates to female etc. and to marry a man (if that rocks your boat) ..... Without having GRS ! ..... provided other critera is satisfied such as counseling, psychiatrist reports, real life tests etc. .... Quite enlightened really if you told me in 1990 that this would be the position within 15 years I wouldn't have believed it!



Di

[tgirlinva]

tgirl,

It takes so long for change to happen that sometimes when it does, we just miss the opportunity to recognise it. In the three years since my awakening, I have been trying to stay very focused on everything that comes along in regards to our community in particular, issues being brought to the forefront for awareness and equality. I have to say there have been great strides in just the past couple of years. Witness what just happened in the courts in Washington DC (Diane Shroer) or the victory in Montgomery Co., Maryland. These are just a couple of incidents in a mix of others that are bringing about change. I too wish it would happen sooner, after all I am not getting any younger! But, it is happening.

One of the things that is not helping us on this front, is the fact that a lot of us are still not making ourselves visible enough to the world at large. I will include myself in that. And, we all have legitimate reasons for not doing so. Until we can overcome our trepidations about our own public viewings and encounters, until we are willing to stand and let our voices sounding the issues and concerns we have be heard, it will take longer to gain more in society. How many of us actually involve ourselves in GLBT events and forums? How many of us actually donate to the various organizations that support our issues? How many of us reach out to community leaders to bring forth our concerns for the proper recognition that we need to be safe and secure? Sadly, not enough. And again, I'll include myself on that list.

In my defense I will state that I know my situation is very close to changing on the front of public revelation and as well, my physical support that I will provide to some of the organizations that need it. We need more of us to take that risk and make that stand. Plain and simple. It will make a difference!

I'll get down off the soap box now before I slip and fall.

Dawn

That is perhaps the smartest thing I have read here. (Not to say that everything else I read was stupid or anything). I completely agree with you. And I think it makes sense. I know that the goal for most TS (myself included) is to blend in, not to raise any eyebrows. I don't want to be labeled as a TS, neither as a woman. I want to be labeled for my achievements, myself... I just happen to be a woman. It doesn't make me who I am, what I stand for, it's just part of me, a single part of me. But yes, I can now see how gays are more outspoken and visible to the general public whereas TS are more closeted. It's hard to be outspoken when you just want to lead a normal life.

[morgan pure]

We're the last social minority that can be openly joked about and demeaned. My state, New Jersey, has an anti-discrimnation law that theoretically protects me, but I'd be fired in a minute if I went to work in a dress. They'd just absorb the lawsuit and trump up some case, and I'd be lucky to find a lawyer.

There was brief acceptance in the nineties. Ru Paul was a popular TV personality, but it passed as even East Coast people got more conservative, and Gen X rebelled against their baby boomer parents' liberality.

We need to slowly acclimatize society to our third sex. It took years for people to accept gays. We need to find ways to be out, but not threateningly.
Morgan

[Miss Tessa]

Because we are seen as absurd, as entertainers, and at the very worst, sex workers.

And another stonewall won't help. If we use Direct Action and get violent we'll be seen just like the guy from Silence of The Lambs.......As mentally Ill. YUCK!

[Jennifer_G_2]

Because they do, at least in my experience. Also many LGBT centers, including mine, rarely have any programs catered to the "T" in the abbreviation. :( I did try to start a group, but the group wasnt very organised and couldnt ever get anyone to make it happen within the group. So I figure the best way to get something going is through starting transgender only groups on the web and locally.

My therapist has said there is somewhat of an animosity between transgenders and gays, in that gays feel that "they have worked so hard for their recognition, and we who are transgender can or want to simply ride on the coatails of their progress".

In some ways I can see their point, in other ways I see the hypocrisy in acceptance.

As far as the law, I feel it is very unfortunate there is no federal hate crime law to include transgender, especially since we have the highest ratio of murders per population of LGBT. How many Gwen Araujo's will it take before someone proposes an ammedment to the current hate crimes bill? Its rediculous!

[Wendi {LI NY}]

As far as the law, I feel it is very unfortunate there is no federal hate crime law to include transgender, especially since we have the highest ratio of murders per population of LGBT. How many Gwen Araujo's will it take before someone proposes an ammedment to the current hate crimes bill? Its rediculous![/QUOTE]

Jennifer, I hope someday we will treated like real citizens of this country[usa] instead of throw away people for other people's enjoyment!:sad: hugs,WendiR

[LA CINDY LOVE]

As far as the law, I feel it is very unfortunate there is no federal hate crime law to include transgender, especially since we have the highest ratio of murders per population of LGBT. How many Gwen Araujo's will it take before someone proposes an ammedment to the current hate crimes bill? Its rediculous!

Jennifer, I hope someday we will treated like real citizens of this country[usa] instead of throw away people for other people's enjoyment!:sad: hugs,WendiR[/QUOTE]
You can for get that......we do have the same rights as gay people do we just do not step up and fight like gay people do.

We want to stand in the back ground and have some else fight for us then get a attitude when when we feel they got more rights.

All we do is talk about is passing and cloths and make-up and going out but nothing about making our community stronger...........just prettier.


LA CINDY LOVE

[Wendi {LI NY}]

We want to stand in the back ground and have some else fight for us then get a attitude when when we feel they got more rights.

All we do is talk about is passing and cloths and make-up and going out but nothing about making our community stronger...........just prettier.
Cindy Well trust me nobody and I mean nobody Steps on my pretty outfit with out getting a big headache for it !:eek:
hugs from a trans-girl that stands up for her right s:D! ,Wendi
LA CINDY LOVE[/QUOTE]

[wishonastar]

In the US, Gays are very organized and have lots of money to sue so they get the attention.

TS are largely in the closet, they do not want their boss to know they do not want their spouses or children to know.

Many TS people get SRS and do not tell anyone they are TS.

It is changing but very slowly.

I would like to see a survey of the general public on what makes them more uncomfortable a gay man working in their office or a TG woman!

[Nicki B]

People get what they're willing to fight for?

[saxfemail]

We probably don't have enough numbers that are willing to speak and make a difference