DQRC Supports Trans-Inclusive ENDA
The Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC) has joined over 300 organizations nationwide in urging support for a Trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
In a surprise move by House Democrats, gender identity protections were stripped from a proposed ENDA bill that was set to be voted on by the House of Representatives. The original bill would have afforded protection for both sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.
“This affects not only Trans people but everyone who does not conform to society’s rigid gender norms,” said Dragonsani Renteria, DQRC’s Director and Trans activist. “Butch lesbians and effeminate men, for example, could be harassed, demoted, terminated or discriminated against simply for being ‘too masculine’ or ‘too feminine’.”
Please contact your U.S. House of Representatives and urge them to support the Baldwin Amendment which restores gender identity protections to bill HR 3685. This Amendment is expected to be voted on on Wednesday, October 24. A list of Representatives can be found at:
http://edlabor.house.gov/about/members.shtml.
###
Read more about ENDA:
on October 21st, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I was just reading about this today. Thanks for taking a stand. And shame on HRC!
on October 21st, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Also shame on Barney Frank!
on October 21st, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Thanks FLASH for publicizing about DQRC’s endorsement of a trans-inclusive ENDA. I am opposed to any exclusion of trans-folks from ENDA, and I am appalled that some of ENDA’s proponents would exclude trans just to promote their own agenda. That is a cop out, and tangential to the dream of achieving equality for all people with diverse gender identities and expressions.
on October 21st, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I support TG/TS rights. They are our brothers and sisters and deserve legal protections!
on October 21st, 2007 at 9:31 pm
NY did something like this. They passed state-wide “enda” without the trans part and they said they will add trans later but it is many years now that they didn’t. I agree it is best to include all once. We are all one family.
on October 21st, 2007 at 9:45 pm
This is the first I’ve heard of it. Guess I’m really behind in my reading.
on October 22nd, 2007 at 1:18 am
I whole heartedly support this. Ten, twenty years ago, most did not accept trans genders. Many things have changed. We have become more aware and educated. Also so many more Deaf trans genders are open about themselves now, like Drago. We can’t ignore they are part of us. Trans genders support us. We must support them back. We are all equal. Everyone should be treated equally.
on October 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I will definitely take a heat about such a pragmatic approach to the passage of the ENDA federal legislation. We have to face reality whether the U.S. Congress will finally pass the ENDA into law or not.
No matter if the ENDA legislation without legal protection for transgender individuals. The ENDA law will be not likely to be penned by President G.W. Bush into the new law.
HRC did fight for the transgender rights to be included in the latest ENDA legislation few months ago, but have to face the reality if we really want the federal law to protect GLBT individuals from any kind of discrimination. Other legislators urge us to be pragmatic, not being bullheaded for the amendment to the ENDA law during the right moment to include the rights of transgenders.
Compromise is the key to the passage of legislation whether we fully like it or not. Many deaf people are not very happy with the ADA law anyway.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
on October 22nd, 2007 at 5:09 pm
It’s great to see the outpouring of support for a Trans-inclusion ENDA!
Unity, not compromise, is the key to securing our rights. The current ENDA protects only Gay, Lesbians and Bisexuals for their sexual identity. It does not protect our Trans brothers and sisters nor those LGB people who do not conform to society’s rigid gender norms.
Robert: It’s interesting that you mention the ADA. While some Deaf people may have been unhappy regarding certain provisions of the legislation (or lack thereof), Deaf people *were* included. On the other hand, people with HIV/AIDS came close to being eliminated for fear that the legislation would not pass if they were included. This is the same rhetoric currently being used to justify gender identity exclusion from ENDA.
Check out this great article written by Nadine Smith of Equality Florida:
http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_eqflENDAstatement100807
All the best,
Drago
on October 22nd, 2007 at 5:20 pm
I appalud DQRC for joining the forces in fight against constant discrimination facing Deaf Queer in daily lives. Let’s join DQRC and show your support!
I agree with JR - SHAME on HRC! They deserved to get a public flogging.
How long do we have to wait for Trans Deaf Queer people to get protections that rest LGBT get? another decade ??? Heck no way! The hate crimes are increasing and we need to find a way to stop it ASAP. We need to open up communication among all communities and get united for one common goal: legal protections for ALL.
Drago and his partner, Jen have been working nonstop to promote Trans awareness across the county with workshops and lectures. That’s dedication!
FLASH will continue to bring awareness to our Deaf Queer struggles and promote equal rights for ALL.
It’s time to get a new President in the White House! Get more Queer-supportive senators in Congress. Do your duty & vote!!
Long Live Deaf Queer!
on October 22nd, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I find politics dreadfully boring. Sorry.
on October 23rd, 2007 at 5:30 am
Whew! I just finished reading the long FLASH ezine issue with ENDA stuff. I was curious what all the fuss was about.
I understand both sides. It is a sticky situation. I agree that it is best for us all to ban together. We often talk and read about being a “rainbow family”. Well, let’s act like it!
Politics are boring, yes. Until you get discriminated against for being who you are.
on October 23rd, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Cute Guy: You’re stupid. That’s why. One day when someone discriminated you legally, don’t come to us and whine, okay? You asked for it.
R-
on October 24th, 2007 at 1:17 am
I support the right to wear a dress and high heels to my place of employment whenever I fucking well please!
on October 24th, 2007 at 10:25 am
I agree. Some people don’t care about it until they get discriminated then they throw big fuss over it. It’s better to ACT NOW than wait later to do something about it. Politics can be boring but it DOES AFFECT your life and future generations!!
This is what wrong with some communities in our society today. We cannot afford to take two steps back! We have to keep pushing FORWARD to bring awareness to an international level.
I appalud those who make the effort to help the Deaf Queer community better and protected. We deserve the SAME legal protections as straight majority. Civil rights came a long way. It’s time for Queer rights now! Do your part.
on October 24th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Drago, I’ll admit that I was hesitant about this topic until I read your comment. That’s when I agreed with what you said — thanks for enlightening my mind. I’ support the inclusion of trans in ENDA bill!
Cheers,
R-
on October 26th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I support 100% what DQRC trying to do. DQRC have all of our interests at heart. THANK YOU DQRC!!! Drago understood the issue.
HRC will lose lot support from trans group. Can’t believe HRC not stand up for everyone.
I hope everyone will fight for our rights. I have some trans friends they deserve same respect as us. Please support the idea to have trans be part of the ENDA.
ALL FOR UNITY!!!!
on November 3rd, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Did it pass or fail?