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Why Advocacy? Some say the “Gay Rights Movement” began in 1969, the night of the Stonewall riot. And as many trans-identified folks know, a “Trans” person was at the forefront of that fateful night – Sylvia Rivera! Sylvia and many others launched a major social, economic and cultural change in the homosexual community and within society as a whole. Since that day, homosexuality has been declassified as a mental illness, numerous and significant gay rights laws have passed, corporate non-discrimination policies updated to include sexual orientation and many other landmark successes have been realized. However, the rights of the trans-identified person and community were, and are still being, essentially ignored. In addition, prominent among those being “cast aside” during this period was Sylvia Rivera herself. However, this did not stop Sylvia! Ze fought daily for the trans-identified person and community; as well as fighting the gay, lesbian and straight communities for recognition and equal rights of the trans-identified individual and community. And from such spirited Direct Actions and confrontations, a few, then more, and then many more Trans Activists came to hir aide, and to the forefront, in this struggle for Trans Activism and Advocacy. For many trans-identified people this struggle occurs in the midst of their worlds crumbling economically and socially around them as they “come out”. However, more and more of us are learning to balance “coming out” socially and economically with our coming out as Activists and Advocates. Nationally more and more statewide TransAdvocacy groups are forming and fighting for equal rights. We’re fighting in Connecticut and in nearly every state for Inclusion, Respect and Equal Rights! Transgender-rights advocates won an unprecedented series of political victories in 2002. The governing councils of 14 cities and counties voted to include transgender people among the groups protected by local nondiscrimination laws. In no previous year had more than six jurisdictions taken such action. Fourteen Fortune 500 companies have included gender identity or expression within their corporate EEO policies, with two occurring within the last year. And for this reason, the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition exists. This Coalition grew out of two venues: From ITCT, a chapter of the first major national and statewide grass roots Trans Civil Rights organization and Connecticut’s 2002 Day of Remembrance. Locally our state has realized several successes for the trans-identified community. The CHRO has ruled that Connecticut’s statutes prohibiting discrimination based on sex protects transsexuals, as well as the transgender. Aetna included “Gender Identity or Expression” in its Corporate EEO policies. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Ally communities rallied around inclusion of the Trans-identified person when the Governor selectively excluded us from his proclamation. And this year we have had two important Trans related bills raised in the state legislator. So you may say, hey all is cool, Connecticut is progressive and others are making things happen. But we say you are wrong! We still have a long way to go. Unemployment for the trans-identified person is still too high, too few Connecticut employers have transitioning policies in place, Emergency room and Medical treatment for the trans-identified person is still precarious, access to knowledgeable health care providers is nearly non-existent, significant education on “gender identity and expression” still is required, and on and on and on… |
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be directed to info@transadvocacy.com |
