Obama on LGBT, I hope things change for my sisters.

Comment by Danielle Krieger on October 7, 2009 at 4:52am

All of this is likely in response to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that, I hear, actually made it out of committee and will be on the floor for the House of Representatives. Precisely when the bill (HR 2981) will be discussed or even put to vote on the House floor is anyone's guess. Then, as per United States custom, it will then go to the Senate, where it will be subject to committee again before it ever reaches the floor or the President's desk. We still have quite a while before ENDA is remotely a possibility, but it's making progress... more than the last 15 years it's been in committee.

Honestly, I think the President will stick with his guns on this one. This is one of those bills that cannot and should not be debated or attempt to appease the opposition over. I haven't seen the numbers for the FtM community, but there is a high rate of unemployment and even homelessness among the MtF community. Many never see it, but I've been there. President Obama cannot, politically, afford to drop the ball on this one.

As far as the "Human Rights Commission" is concerned, I wouldn't care if they dropped off the Earth tomorrow. I've seen far too many cases where they've just dropped us trans people so that they could get their "Gay & Lesbian" legislation passed, stating "we'll come back for you" and never following through. I'm sick of it and I don't care if they are getting the most publicity for this. In my opinion, that's the only reason they retook the position of an inclusive ENDA, too much negative publicity for them.

Comment by Caroline Grace on October 7, 2009 at 7:05am

Hi, Danielle & Lisa

Thanks for the informational update and the commentary. We need to have our voices heard... we need to not be sitting - silent - and wait for others to speak up for us... We need to speak for ourselves. Where are we in organizing ourselves such that we have our voice heard? Until we get busy supporting those like NCTE and other groups, we will remain unknown to others... and waiting for others to give us what we haven't really asked for in a strong public way.

HRC might have dumped us, but they picked us back up. To have people on our side, for whatever their reasons, is something we should appreciate... And we need to be taking up the causes of others.. like helping fight cancer in children or other causes that let the majority know we are productive and concerned members of society. Once they see the value we bring, they will be more likely to support our needs... Grass roots activitism would work wonders here...

Hugs, Dana

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