We achieved A Milestone, lets celebrate and continue working toward changes . . .

Comment by Isis Win on December 19, 2010 at 10:04am

Cindy:

Like with anything else, there are several angles to all situations. This is a significant issue in favor of gay people, but the important aspect of this landmark, is that the message reads: Stop bigotry, stop discrimination, we all can deliver what is expected from all. Does it affect the many other issues that are still at stake? Not directly, but it does. For instance, the legislative knows better and better that we are paying attention and we make our voices heard. The point in this message. The more participation, the better the chances. I am a direct witness that it's working in many layers, such as high schools today, protect gay and gender students in my city. The battle is long and difficult. Yet small gains amount in favor. My city today provides a decent level of protection towards discrimination to us TG people. No long ago, this was the opposite.Employment,, housing, health, public acceptance, etc, now are not an issue.

We must participate and aim toward the needed goals. Numbers have a big-er weight. Just like the right to vote for women no so long ago. Another anachronistic issue of the times.If we don't believe we can bring the change, it will not happen. Perhaps the price now is not what most would prefer, but changes like these, are not exclusive for today but to the future and more importantly, address the fact that we can't no longer wait. Therefore, that is the focus to follow. People like yourself are the reason things don't remain stagnated anymore and we talk about the issues that deserve attention. Thank you for your participation and I wish you many gains in the near future.

Comment by Kahana on December 19, 2010 at 11:15am

hello Isis!  thank you for reminding us not only that progress has been made in the name of equality and justice, but that progress is usually incremental, and that at a systemic level, the wheels have been set in motion for broader change.  and that most importantly, change is driven by individuals.  each one of us has the power, and perhaps even a moral imperative, to advocate for changes in the barriers to basic rights that confront gender-variant and sexual-orientation-variant people.  in fact, that power, and imperative extends to the removal of barriers to ALL disenfranchised people, whether those barriers are based on gender, sexual orientation, race, economic status, religion, and all other characteristics that do not impinge on other's rights, that do not cause demonstrable harm to others.  the broad struggle is against injustice and inequality, whenever, and wherever it may exist.

 

thank you Cyndi, i totally agree with you.  there was nothing to protect gender expression and identity, as i understand it, under DADT, short of obfuscating the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity, and certainly less now, with its repeal.  granted, the incremental gains made are important, but we cannot afford to think that things are fair and just as they now stand.  in fact, i hope that "on the ground", the repeal of DADT does not result in an "open season" on openly lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender servicemembers, and that all levels of command will enforce the spirit of the repeal.

 

on a personal note, i agree that coalition politics is powerful, in generating numbers, and the inherent power of numbers, especially at the municipal and county levels, where specific, time limited goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics can be readily agreed upon by the members of a coalition.  for now, however, at the state, and federal levels of policy-making, the diversity of interests and goals of the constituent groups of an LGBT coalition becomes unwieldy; there often are simply too many competing agendas, working at cross-purposes.  i believe that while we definitely cannot and must not abandon coalition building, in the cause of the broader principles of justice and equality, we cannot rely on collaboration alone, to provide the transgender population with a mechanism to ensure justice and equality for itself.  especially when history has shown that the GLBT "alliance" is delicate, ephemeral, subject to the whims of political expediency.  both coalition and identity politics are needed at this time, and will be, until such a coalition proves indivisible in the face of political challenge.  hopefully, the people with whom the transgender community allied in supporting DADT (and ENDA, and various community-based initiatives) will remain allied with the transgender community in its own struggle for justice and equality, but we cannot afford to rely on that alliance as the sole means to meeting our goals.

 

Comment by Rachel Thomas on December 19, 2010 at 3:30pm

Such a long time coming.  Whenever our nation stands up for the basic human rights of any of it's citizens, all of our minorities are given hope that one day their moment will also come.  I'm proud to be an American and can't wait until our rights as trans women are recognized and defended by our government.  Thank you to those who have been active, and those who voted with their country instead of their party.

 

Only a step...but it's in our direction.  A happy day!

Comment by Isis Win on December 19, 2010 at 9:47pm

Wow! Your response blew me away. Not because what you state but your sentiment. We can look at anything from varied angles and diminish the actual value of this small gain, but is not a senseless nor a political maneuver for one or another reason. You state some facts, such seem to show that you're an educated critic about the issue, but you missed the target by far.
Facts: Gay and lesbian people are already serving in the forces. Anyone that desires to join, will do it, but stay under the radar. Those already in service are not going to put a flag in their chest reading: Kill me, I am a fag serving my country. The percentage of gay and lesbian people, according to several surveys is just barely 7%. And not all in age or desire to join the forces. Therefore that win-win issue you mention, is way unrealistic for the brass to pretend to capitalize on it. I have many more facts for you, but it is unnecessary.
Are you talking about a draft? Fat chance!

Perhaps the modest gain about this legislation is about integrity and the right to be who you are and not having to hide. Maybe just to undo what the previous legislation (94?) did. So, it is not a big deal in your terms but have you asked any gay or lesbian soldier for their opinion. I'll bet a big NO. Clearly not a positive way to be "card-carrying" advocate.

What amazes me the most . . .  this particular blog is about celebrating a small gain that took 17 years in the making. And as well, to invite others to consider their view about the importance of their participation to change what we need and is waiting on the table: ENDA. In a few words: you came to drop a big dump into my blog.

Sadly, I see nothing I can say to award you any credit. I don't know you, you don't know me but somehow I suspect that we are in very opposite ends of the spectrum in life. I am advocate for a purpose and that one is because I believe in change first and because if I don't get involved, I will never know if such will happen. Clearly, both of those are worth s*** to you. That is sad for me because the main motivator for involvement is: to share about what I got and see others as happy as I am and they can reach. Your attitude can't reach anything. As I said, that is sad, very sad. But the least you can do is not to invest your cynicism when the idea is to place positivism.

Comment by Rachel King on December 20, 2010 at 4:51am

Is it the season of goodwill that turns all and sundry feral or is Pe merely one of those sites that creates antagonism for the sake of it.
There is so much angst on Pe of late.
If there is a small win by somebody, someone has to denigrate it.
If there is a happy event, someone has to pour vinegar over it.
It's bloody annoying.
Criticism and healthy debate are wonderful but when anyone has a win, for heaven sake, don't be such a sour puss(y) and stop being a killjoy.
Haven't we got enough bullshit to contend with, day in, day out?
Who needs more......... not me.

Comment by Isis Win on December 20, 2010 at 10:44am

Cindi,

 

This post is not a pissing contest nor an excuse to validate our credentials for the sake of . . .  What?
As I said: You don't know me, I don't know you but if I was to compare credentials and knowledge with you, sorry, there is no contest between both because I have decades of academic achievements in those areas and I was nicely paid for my contributions across the world.

However, what is clear and predominant here, is that you're in a sad place in regards of your own self perception. Don't mind me, but I wish your plan for this coming year is mostly composed of self examination and to you figure: "Why am I so unhappy and sour?". "What can I do to move into a place that I don't need to prove to others (and myself #1) that I am deserving?". "How can I use my skills to bring enlightening around myself and others?". Sorry, but the times of politeness and correctness are done when someone like yourself simply dump uncalled garbage. Thank you for your contribution, butt no thanks! Sorry! But someone has to speak the truth and here is the eloquent evidence to judge it.

I'm sure it is no easy to feel that place of yours. Therefore I grant you all my compassion and support. It is human to feel bad about our own selves and to attempt making others feel as bad in order to feel good about our own self. But respect is much more than an important "skill and trait" to find a good place in life. It is of utmost importance to feel better about our own sense of self. It is sad, where you are, but don't make is sadder by imposing your train of thought and feelings to others. The only possible gain there, is to be rejected and ignored. Not good, specially during the holiday season.

I wish you well and I hope I can read you in the near future as a happy, congruent and harmonious bi gender human being.

Comment by Isis Win on December 20, 2010 at 12:19pm

Hi Cerise: When I saw the notice of your post I had to check right away. lol
I feel the funny about this particular post is: what is a fact resulted from many years of efforts and deserve celebration, in reality became a "debate" about the validity of . . .  What a?
Same here about HRC but I still am involved in the legislative campaigning. I wonder if now they will put emphasis in our own agenda? Hahaha! Don't take me so seriously.
I didn't know about that Canadian move. It makes sense, doesn't it? Except in the case that the soldier has to wear a wig and take care of it at all times! Hahaha!
You're right! will always be something to be fixed or at least improved. And losing that hope is the equivalent of just sitting and wait for miracles.
Happy holidays!

Comment by Kahana on December 20, 2010 at 1:17pm

hello again, i just wanted to thank you, Cerise, for that comment.  i was trying to form my thoughts, and you captured the word i was looking for.  i guess at heart, i am an idealist.  i don't stick my head in the sand, but i believe that every effort to the good, is, well, to the good.  i too no longer support HRC financially, and will not until they demonstrate that they will utilize resources that help us.  but i don't "throw the baby out with the bathwater", either.  that was a change for me, that came with my transition.  every movement towards justice, regardless of where it is made, on whose behalf it seemingly is made for, is truly, in the grand scheme of things, a movement toward justice for all.  ends do not justify every, and all means, but ends do make a difference.  and yes, Isis, i believe that they are worthy of celebration.  this blog post, and the subsequent discussion, with all its various points of view, have helped me clarify my own beliefs about the interconnectedness of justice and equality for all people, and about why i want to do the work that i want to.  and if anyone does know about Canada's or any other country's policies regard transgender issues, i would love to learn about them, as i feel that i have a very limited US-centric perspective.  sorry for going off-topic here.

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