New Haven Independent

Posted by: Bill | February 9, 2009 8:36 AM

We need three designations for all facilities men, women and other...

Posted by: KAMB | February 9, 2009 9:01 AM

This article is a joke right?

I have no problem with anyones sexuality or whatever else they chose to do with themselves. If you were born a male, you're classified as a male. No matter what you do to your body.

And do we need more special treatment laws to protect trans-gender people in New Haven? We cant even protect our citizens from everyday violence, muggings, and robberies.

Posted by: Really Bill? | February 9, 2009 9:23 AM

Did you stay up all night to think of that helpful comment? Grow up.

Posted by: Diana | February 9, 2009 10:39 AM

Is it "special rights" to want live our lives in peace, to earn a living to support our families, to have a roof over our heads to shelter our families and to be able to sit down at a luncheon counter to eat. Is that asking for too much, when in surveys in Washington DC and San Francisco found that 20% of transgender people are homelessness.

Posted by: Sally Tamarkin | February 9, 2009 11:32 AM

This is fantastic. I hope that CT follows the other states that have done this and make our state safer for all residents, regardless of gender identity and expression. It's too bad that people like Kamb feel that laws protecting every day civil rights are "special treatment." However, I suspect that as Kamb and others make a bit more of an effort to educate themselves and show compassion for their fellow Connecticut-ers, they will understand that people getting fired from their jobs or denied housing or credit because they don't have the gender identity or expression others expect or maybe feel comfortable with (right now) is, very simply, wrong. It's discrimination and we can combat it quickly and easily by passing this bill.

Posted by: East Rockette | February 9, 2009 11:49 AM

Thank you to Love Makes A Family and Translation (yay Tony!) for leading this battle.

It's so important for all of us to be recognized and protected for just being who we are. We only get one life each, and we all deserve to live in safety, without fear.

I invite the commentors above to consider the daily bravery it takes to be a transgendered person in the world we live in. And take a cue from the compassion and humanity shown by Rose's dad, who, even if it's been a rocky road to understanding, supports his daughter unconditionally. That's the sort of community I want to be part of.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | February 9, 2009 12:17 PM

This is precisely the path the wingnuts were afraid of going down when they opposed same sex marriage. They said it was a slippery slope. Now they look prophetic.

Posted by: Dr. Mekah Gordon, Ph.D. | February 9, 2009 12:25 PM

What's with the "sudden" compromise to now accept the Unequivocal Rights of the Transgender Community?
We have been fighting for inclusion for numerous years as the Gay & Lesbian community has been stepping on our neck!
Look at the failed history of the HRC. They've been spewing the same old rhetoric of "Transgender Inclusion" since their inception and have done absolutely nothing in supporting our acceptance in any Bill.
Remember, ENDA???
Joe Solmonese, President of the HRC, along with Barney (The Leopard) Frank made all sorts of speeches praising the Transgender Community, but when it came down to that "Final Hour" of equality re-patriation, those bastards pulled the rug right out from under Trans inclusion in ENDA!

Patronizing the Transgender Community as does Pam Stanback in her "Hallelujah Revelation" for Connecticut voters to now support the Transgender Community, is absurd!
We have been carrying the Gay & Lesbian Community on our backs ever since we received broken bones, bruises, and uncivil persection at Stonewall in 1969!

The GLB"T" community must ALL stand together in the face of discrimination, from anyone trying to suppress our Unequivocal Rights" as citizens of these United States.

Separation of Church and State: Religious agenda's devised to divide, not provide!

I've found it exceedingly easy to offend hypocrites, and thus shake them from their stoic perches.
It just takes a little bit of truth to power and the courage to be unpopular.
Dr. Mekah Gordon, Ph.D.

A lawful precedence must be established within all public and political domains, to enforce the Constitutional decree for the Separation of Church and State, without the deliberate interference from the incessant persecution from religious zealots. Their mean spirited addiction to selfishly write the "Rules" for a 21st Century free society must come to an end!

Why do certain followers of the Christian faith, relish in their unprogressive and provocative attacks toward other human beings, who interpret living one's life as a freedom of choice, rather than based on another's dictation of "self-righteous moral values?"

Who are they, to judge others? Are their lives more admirable, than those they criticize?

How is their devotion to this religious belief substantially justified?

Christianity was established on a foundation to embrace the teachings of acceptance and love by Jesus. However, in spite of everything he stood for, these "devotees" are still blind and void of compassion, understanding, sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Instead of pointing a pious judgmental finger, as well as voting against and denying Basic Human Civil Rights to any United States citizen, I'd suggest focusing on eliminating the malignant immorality within your own flock.

Begin, by recognizing that the Vatican has been suppressing the numerous prolongations of child abuse by Priests, in churches throughout the world, silently "paying off" these victims, who had the courage to come forward.

Focus on the factual revelation, that in order to cover up the appalling mental anguish suffered by innocent children, past and present, which was/is being inflicted by these sinister Priestly Pedophiles, the Vatican shamefully devised to condemn an entire diverse community, hoping to avoid an enormous internal scandal.

The hypocritical, unkind, self serving and perverse manifestation to relinquish the rights of others, is nothing more than a convenient smoke screen, under the guise of religions voracious appetite for power and control!

As United States Citizens, Taxpayers, Contributors to Society, Veterans, and first and foremost, Human Beings, we should NEVER have to ask for Equality!

STOP Religious Interference, from consistently manifesting their unconscionable, shamefully fascist and venomous discriminatory dictatorial agenda, preventing anyone they deem "different" from acquiring ALL the Freedoms as United States Citizens we are entitled to!

*Transitionally Speaking: Quotes, From a Pioneering, Frontier Renaissance Woman and Visionary:

No, Patent on Love:
LOVE, has NO boundary.....
We must preserve, anyone's Basic Human Civil Rights, in having the Freedom to Choose a Life Partner.
LOVE, does Not discriminate, nor should it ever be defined, decreed, and/or restricted, as an entitlement, only, to a Man, & a Woman.

Diversity Education:
There is a pinnacle necessity, to establish Diversity Sensitivity, Understanding, and Respect Policies in ALL Governmental Agencies, in order STOP the incessant daily provocative persecution of GLBTI individuals, and/or anyone who are deemed "Different," by the Bullying, Harassment, and Hate, of unprogressive pariahs, in our world societies.

Freedom to Choose:
Absolutely NO ONE, in these United States of America, should ever have the "right" to deny and disallow anyone's freedom of choice, by proselytizing Religious beliefs within public venues and/or political arenas.
Nor, should it ever be incorporated constitutionally or otherwise decreed law of the land.
Opinions of the virtues of faith, concerning values of intent, should be restricted and proclaimed within dually sanctified Religious Houses of Worship.

Identical Liberties:
Denying Unequivocal Equality, along with Basic Human and Civil Rights inclusion, for those labeled as being "Different" within our society, is Unconscionable and Unacceptable.
Victims of violence, hatred, discrimination, bias, and unprogressive judgment, must never be subjected to and/or segregated as isolated entities, denied inalienable freedoms, from those who fervently pursue the same identical liberties!

Fear and Prejudice:
Anyone, who instigates others through fear and prejudice, utilizing this as a Political, and/or Religious tool, for a discriminatory agenda, abandoning any civil humanistic approach toward Diversity Sensitivity, Understanding, & the Respect of those deemed "Different," apparently lacks any sense of human compassion, and embrace's, a dictatorial, arrogant, & virulent mentality.

Stress Free Education:
It is the responsibility, obligation, & ultimate accountability of every School District, Teacher, Administrator, as well as it's Community, to ensure that all students receive a stress free education, without intimidation, bullying, harassment, discrimination, bias, hate, & judgment of any kind, whatsoever!

Peace and Unequivocal Equality ~

Dr. Mekah Gordon, Ph.D.
Pioneering, Frontier Renaissance Woman, & Visionary

Human Rights Advocate/Activist - Educator/Consultant - Freelance Writer-TG Issues -Former Santa Fe Regional Editor for the Southwest LGBT Press Newspaper - Member of the NMSPC {New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition}, Recipient, of the prestige's, "2007 Commitment to Care Award" from the Alliance for Gender Awareness - Full membership World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Formerly known as the Harry Benjamin Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), Former Executive Director - Emerald City Foundation (501c3 non-profit), Division of RainbowVision Properties, Santa Fe.

Founder/CEO ~
S. U. R. E. Foundation®
SUREducation@aol.com
Santa Fe, NM

Posted by: East Rockette | February 9, 2009 12:50 PM

(NB I was referring to the first two commentors - not the flood of support that came in while I was writing my earlier comment!)

Posted by: William Kurtz | February 9, 2009 1:05 PM

Sally, it might be a little optimistic to think that discrimination will be fought "quickly and easily" by passing a bill, but a bill is certainly a good start. I would like to see it pass.

To Kamb: While I understand your point, I would point out that what you see as "special treatment" is only an explicit statement of the rights and protections that most of us take for granted. If I walk down the street holding hands with my romantic partner, no one shouts at me out of a car window. If I mention my romantic relationship at work, I don't have to worry about my job, and no one says, "I don't care what you do in your personal life, just don't rub it in my face." If I choose to get married, I don't have to use some convoluted legalese to describe my arrangement (like "civil union," or "domestic partnership"). There's nothing 'special' about any of this; it's long been regarded as fundamental to American society--you know, the whole "pursuit of happiness" part.

You mention, very reasonably, that if a person is born biologically male, he's considered a male. Fair enough as far as it goes, but my question would be, "Why does it matter?" Why do we need people to be classified that way? Whose interests does such a classification serve? Biological sex matters to one's doctor, I suppose, but gender is a much more complex phenomenon, much more fluid and much less rigidly defined. What's wrong with saying it's not a reason to discriminate against someone?

Posted by: Sally Tamarkin | February 9, 2009 1:36 PM

William Kurtz (hi Bill!), I meant it's a way to *fight* discrimination, not to end it. To further clarify, when I said "quickly and easily" I mean that passing this bill should be quick and easy as all it does is add four words to our existing non-discrimination law. I was more trying to emphasize the simplicity of the bill and of passing it, not that once it's passed discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in CT will be dead and buried. I didn't articulate it very well.

I have no illusions that policy can solve everything, but I do think that the policy combined with education and good implementation is a helluva start.

Posted by: Bill | February 9, 2009 2:10 PM

I just love how the hypocrites who advocate and support discrimination against white males to CLAIM they are non-discriminatory. LOL

Posted by: Greling Jackson | February 9, 2009 2:10 PM

I have nothing against transgender people. I fully support their right to be free from discrimination, have equal access and accommodation to public facilities, and to be gender-identified by others as they want to be identified. I am a strong supporter of transgender rights and I have to wonder why America is behind even Saudia Arabia and Iran on this issue. (Yep, they have full transgender equality in their countries. They decapitate gays like cavemen, but don't really care if you want to change your sex. In fact, the government will help you pay for it.)

However, I DO NOT believe that there should be a "T" in LGBT. It should just be "LGB". Transgenderism and transsexuality are an entirely different issue and they have needs, desires, and objectives than gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. Being attracted to the same-sex is in no way comparable to wanting to become the opposite-sex. Sexual orientation and gender identity are distinct, separate issues. They should be fought on different fronts.

That's not to say that I don't think lesbian, gay, and bisexual people shouldn't rally behind transgender people. But, I think we're just defeating our cause if we think we can just lump everyone together in a pot and call it cool. We tried doing that with the issue of race as an analogy in the war against Prop. 8 in California and look how that backfired. "LGB" issues need to stand separately from "T" issues. Not just from a matter of strategy, but for that view of commonsense says these issues are simply not the same.

Lumping them together does a strong disservice to both the LGB and T communities. And it serves only to confuse a public that is already struggling to cope with understanding us who are LGB.

Posted by: robn | February 9, 2009 4:53 PM

BILL,

Maybe we really only need two restroom designations...see below and turn your head to the left to read the door plates.

...one for most of us...
:D

...and another one for those who are uncomfortable with their own sexuality...
}:0-G

Posted by: john john | February 9, 2009 5:11 PM

What's next, seperate bathrooms for yankees fans and red sox fans? There has to be a point to say, "o.k., enough"

Posted by: William Kurtz | February 9, 2009 5:35 PM

Hmmm . . . in the high school where I work, we have only one faculty bathroom on the second floor and we seem to manage pretty well. Although in our building, a Yankees-Red Sox separation might be in order.

Posted by: Gwen | February 10, 2009 5:36 PM

Grieling,

It's true that each group within the GLBT grouping have different issues. However, we all have one issue in common. That issue is equality under the law and in the society in which we live. That is our common thread. I remember not too long ago when your logic was used for excluding bisexuals from inclusion under the "gay and lesbian" banner.

Heck, if it weren't for some chuckleheaded fuzzy thinkers back in 1972 or 1973 who decided to throw transfolks out of the movement, we would have been a unified organization long ago.

As soon as folks get over this idea that equal rights for gays, lesbians and bisexuals is different than equal rights for transfolks, the sooner we can all get down to advocating for equality in society and under the law for everyone.

Posted by: Marianne Seggerman | February 13, 2009 7:50 AM

It's sad that here in Connecticut, supposedly one of the most progressive states, in New Haven, a progressive area, that posters can spew out hateful garbage, anonymously of course. At least those who post positive comments use their own names. We're supposed to be responding to the article, which was very well written. I was there - the woman who moved whenever the camera was pointed my way. I had nothing to worry about. Tony was great and like if I didn't know he was born female I'd never guess. My boyfriend can tell better than I but he was born intersex. I once saw a baby book his mother kept and spotted a card It's a Girl! I laughed - I wasn't surprised. But my boyfriend said his mother took it out.