Letters to the Editor

• Terribly Sorry, But You've Invaded The Wrong Country

  [Read the article: Why the T in LGBT is here to stay]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  Sigh... We're fighting on the wrong landscape, folks. Quotes like these...

  "we have to jettison the trannies"

  "That's why the T is included and why we continue to fight side by side."

  "moral obligation to include all marginalized people"

  "his main point is valid: ENDA will not pass with protection for T's. It has a good chance of passing with protection for GLB's"

  ...demonstrate how vitally important it is to understand the framework. How an issue is framed can be everything, as it is in this case.

  This should not be a discussion about whether or not we give transfolk special rights along with our separate rights. That's just buying into the enemy's frame. If I were against gay civil rights I'd be gleeful watching this argument. You're doing their work for them.

  The issue is properly framed thusly: Whether or not inclusion of language making illegal discrimination based on gender expression and gender identity is reasonably necessary to protect the employment rights of all gays and lesbians. That's the real issue here, folks.

  I won't write any more about that, but I have addressed it in more depth here: http://danaruns.typepad.com/danarunstheworld/politics/index.html

  And I welcome your thoughts on the proper framing of the issue.

  It's easy to point at bearded trannies and say, "Ew! Ick! No way I'm sacrificing employment protection so that thing can run get its jollies!" That's exactly what our enemy would like us to do. But consider this: What if that's a false premise? What if the real premise is whether or not we need the language in there?

  And what if the answer is "yes"?

  http://danaruns.typepad.com/danarunstheworld/

  Permalink Thursday, October 11, 2007 12:36 PM