October 23, 2007 6:01 PM BST
Mara Keisling has worked very hard, indeed to educate members of Congress in matters transgender. Having recently established a presence in DC we at IFGE are doing the same. HRC never attempted to pursue any educational effort, as they never intended for trans people to be included in this legislation to begin with. That NCTE was hoodwinked by HRC into coming along for the ride is no fault of Mara Keisling. She, and in fact Donna Rose thought they were doing the right thing by affiliating with HRC on this. I know these people personally, and have worked alongside them. I know firsthand what they have done.
Mara and Donna have both had their eyes opened by this experience, resulting in Donna's resignation from the HRC Board of Directors, and Mara rejoining the unified efforts of NTAC, GenderPAC and IFGE. If anything positive is to come of all this, it is that we now enjoy a solidarity among the national transgender advocacy community that we have never had before. Barney Frank and Joe Solomnese never expected that we would pull together as we have, and now recognize that we are a force to be reckoned with.
The effort to support the Baldwin Amendment is part of the larger task of education toward the main objective in 2009. No one, not even Barney Frank, expects this legislation to pass or to be signed into law, with or without trans inclusion. The point here is to open serious discussion of these issues on a national level in preparation for the real thing in 2009, when this kind of legislation can have a chance.
For the time being, though, it is important to gain the symbolic 200 votes necessary in favor of the Baldwin Amendment to H.R. 3685 to let Congress know that we are to be taken seriously, that we stand together in solidarity, and are not some fragmented fringe group of crackpots.
Do it NOW. Write to your representative. Let them know that we are their constituents and that we count!
http://www.house.gov/writerep
October 23, 2007 8:13 PM BST
I have never doubted for a minute that there were some good people out there doing all they could. But when the key organizations show a who cares attitude about us, how can you expect our situation to be taken seriously.
Just to let you all know, even with my dislike for this bill and how it has been handled, yes I did write my rep who happens to be republican Jack Kingston. I asked that he support the ENDA bill only with the Baldwin amendment. I also asked that he take the time someday to truly understand us and the issues transgendered face.
LOL, still don't like the bill and when it is all done and over I hope we get the GLB out of our T. Maybe I should try and talk my rep into offering an amendment to remove GLB and replace it only with T, maybe then it would have a better chance of passing without a veto, suits me just fine. And please nobody jump on me about being anti GLB, the only thing I have against them is there community not standing up for ours.
October 24, 2007 5:03 AM BST
HRC is not a key transgender advocacy organization now, nor have they ever been. They advocate for themselves, rich white straight appearing gay men.
Thanks for supporting the Baldwin Amendment.
October 24, 2007 1:30 PM BST
Robyn,
I did it for you because I respect your judgement and involvement on the issue. I still see the potential for it to backfire but the caveat to it all is that it should open some eyes for those who say they represent us.
October 24, 2007 9:11 PM BST
Current information is the vote on H.R. 3685 has been postponed for atleast one week in an attempt to avoid a veto by President Bush. One of the biggest concerns is how this bill may relate to same sex marriages.