ENDA

I realized the day I worked the NC TG UNITY table at Pride Charlotte, I have as many gay friends as I do TG. With that in mind, the following piece does not apply to my dear friends. I am speaking in the sense of 'community'. They will understand what I'm saying. Many of us have discussed the following issues.

Several decades ago, there was endless discussion as to whether the already ostracized transgender community had made a tactical error in aligning with the gay and lesbian movement. It was said we share the same problems, including discrimination, violence, employment issues etc.

It has been ironic to me that, in many ways, the gay community doesn't really get us. We are charged with educating the very community of which we are supposedly a part.

In 2007, it is clear the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Employment Non Discrimination Act, ENDA is coming to a congressional vote, probably next Friday.

ENDA has had the support of the Human Rights Campaign, along with other lobbying groups. HRC director Joe Solmonese made a speech at Southern Comfort earlier this month, pledging HRC's unwavering support.

As it became clear the bill was in trouble, Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Barney Frank rewrote the bill to exclude gender identity. This move has been now supported by HRC, contrary to what was said in front of the largest gathering of TG people in the country. Barney Frank wrote a rambling statement as to his motives. HRC has issued a statement attempting to explain their throwing the transgender community to the curb.

A number of TG people, including someone in NC whom I greatly respect are visiting the HRC dinner in Washington next week. Inasmuch as we were thrown on the curb, they will meet at the curb and picket this dinner.

It seems to me we were thrown under the bus. The right of any human being to earn a living is where the rubber meets the road. Many good people, some I know personally and some I only know of, worked hard for this bill. Let us hope they planted seeds that will eventually take root. I hope we are around to see it happen.

Jenny Boylan once said the only thing we have in common with the gays and lesbians is "we get beaten up by the same people". When it was expedient to include the transgender community for fundraising and support issues, they were happy to have us. When it became expedient to dump us to achieve their own agenda, there was no hesitation.

As a friend said, there comes a time when compromise is no longer an option.

September 18, 2007

There have been lots of things taking place recently, all of which are good.

Last week was the Southern Comfort Conference in Atlanta. This past Friday was an event unique to the conference and our community, a Transgender Career Expo day. There were representatives from a number of Fortune 500 companies. I had planned to drive down from Charlotte for the day, but a sprained foot changed my mind. This expo is one more sign of the progress that continues to be made in public awareness of who we are as individuals. The Charlotte Observer published a story on the event yesterday.

Saturday, August 25th was Pride Charlotte. I was able to work the NCTGUNITY booth for the entire day. Even in the 99 degree heat, it was a totally remarkable day . I don't recall a time when I have seen so many old friends from the past, or had more hugs. A few photos are posted in my online webshots. One saving grace was our table was less than 20 feet from the back door of Starbucks. When I saw that door, I knew I woud survive the heat.

Naturally, we had the usual protestors. It's ironic that not only are we charged with educating the GLB segment of the community, we also deal with the same protestors which bedevil them. Many disagree, but I don't think they are bad people. A GG friend and I followed two protestors into Starbucks and engaged them in dialogue. I won't go into the verbage, but it was mutually respectful. Both of us had goosebumps when we left them. We did the right thing.

My hairdresser visited Kappa Beta in August for presentation on facial shapes and a styling demonstration. I think everyone enjoyed it. I know she enjoyed it so much, she's coming to our Christmas party.

Our Charlotte Gender Alliance is growing more rapidly than I would have dreamed. Our September meeting was well attended and the discussion intense. This is precisely what we were hoping for.

Things are not perfect, but life is great with much more to take place in the near future. More on that later.