Forwarded Message:
Subj: July 28, 1999, marks five years of fighting with HRC for
TG inclusion in ENDA
Date: 6/19/99 4:25:10 PM EST
From: PRFrye
To: PRFrye
to Phyllabuster List:
PLEASE COPY AND REDISTRIBUTE
AS YOU CHOOSE TO GET OUT THE WORD!
1. July 28, 1999, marks five years of fighting with HRC for
TG inclusion in ENDA
2. NGLTF Stands Tall for TG Inclusion in ENDA
3. Barney Frank plays the Bathroom Card to Keep TG's Out of ENDA
4. Methodist Youth Gets the Message on TG Inclusion
5. LGBT Lawyers in Texas, 400% increase at State Bar Convention
Phyllis
Phyllis Randolph Frye, aka "the Phyllabuster"
P.S. Check out my web page
If you can get onto the web (regardless of if you are AOL or not
AOL),
then you can find my web page at http://members.aol.com/prfrye
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1. July 28, 1999, marks five years of fighting with HRC for TG
inclusion in ENDA
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Mark your calendars.
July 28th, 1999, makes the 5th anniversary of fighting with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) over including transgenders in the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
On that date in 1994, Phyllis Randolph Frye of Texas and Karen Ann Kerin of Vermont went to Washington, DC, representing the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy (ICTLEP) to determine why transgenders had been intentionally omitted from the language of the ENDA Bill. We were told that the problem was the HRC. Nothing has changed.
For five years we have heard from HRC such nonsense as "the wording -- inferring tg inclusive wording -- is not the issue" while all the while they continue to fight for THEIR wording which includes SOME of them and leaves the rest of us out. Way to go HRC. Perhaps a legal name change to HRFnQQC or Human Rights For the non-queer Queers Campaign.
Can you believe that so many people have used up so much time and so much effort and so much money to keep gender variants and transgenders OUT of ENDA? Amazing!
Hang on folks, ENDA will be reintroduced again very soon and we transgenders and all gender variant lesbians, gays and bisexuals will be INTENTIONALLY OMITTED again!
So if you are LGB and you think that you will be included, look again. If you are gender variant, you are OUT as well.
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2. NGLTF Stands Tall for TG Inclusion in ENDA
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NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Betsy Gressler, Deputy Political Director
202-332-6483 ext. 3306, 800-757-6476 pager
bgressler@ngltf.org
http://www.ngltf.org, 1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC
*********************************************
NGLTF SUPPORTS TRANSGENDER INCLUSION IN
EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT
WASHINGTON, DC --- June 16, 1999 --- The National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force (NGLTF) released the following statement today regarding
the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The following is
attributable to Kerry Lobel, executive director of NGLTF.
Bella Abzug demonstrated great courage and conviction in 1974
when
she introduced this country's first comprehensive civil rights
bill
banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. Civil rights
for gay people were not a popular cause and she knew at the time
that the bill was many years away from passage. Bella knew
something that we could all stand to learn again ­ it's not
about political pragmatism, its about progressive principles.
The federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is due
to
be reintroduced in the coming weeks. ENDA would ban job
discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. We
encourage debate and discussion in the gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender movement about the scope and strategy surrounding
ENDA.
NGLTF has been advocating for language expressly covering
transgendered people in ENDA. We have met with members of Congress,
advocacy organizations and transgender activists. We firmly believe
that this advocacy process is moving the agenda for GLBT equality
forward. We have been clear that our mission does not allow for
leaving anyone behind.
In 1997, NGLTF amended its mission statement to include the
struggle for equal rights for transgendered people. The
discrimination, harassment and violence transgendered people
experience in this society is shameful. We believe that there
is
one movement for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.
Federal, state and local laws are necessary to end this injustice.
In fact, transgender inclusion is becoming more accepted as part
of civil rights bills across the country. The state of Minnesota
includes transgendered people in its non-discrimination law. Many
cities include transgender protections of some kind including:
Cambridge, (MA), Evanston (IL), New Orleans (LA), Pittsburgh (PA),
Portland (OR), Seattle (WA), San Francisco (CA) and Santa Cruz
(CA),
and York (PA).
To build a transformational movement, we must take the risks
that
challenge conventional thinking. When the forces against us are
strong and feel overwhelming, the response cannot be fear and
political expediency. The true test of democracy is how it embraces
those who look, act, and think differently, not just those who
are
the same. This is the world we dream of ­ one that values
the worth
and dignity of every person.
Without the inclusion of transgendered people, NGLTF cannot
endorse
ENDA. We do not oppose ENDA, but advocate adding language that
is
more inclusive. We intend to do no harm to ENDA or to the cause
of
GLB equality. But just as our African American colleagues in several
states have refused to move forward on hate crimes legislation
that
covers race but not sexual orientation, we too feel obligated
to
move forward together. We will continue to do the education and
advocacy to raise awareness of transgender discrimination.
Every individual and organization must make decisions about
the best
way to make change and move forward within its own mission and
principles. All who claim to be transgender inclusive need to
examine
what they can do to advance the movement for transgender equality.
We know that our colleague organizations are in deep reflection
about
the best way to move forward as one movement and we respect that
process.
This is a difficult issue for everyone. Principled politics
is not
a popularity contest. Over the years, we have not wavered and
ultimately our vision has often prevailed. This struggle is not
the responsibility of any one organization or a particular member
of Congress. This is about a long-term vision of a unified movement
for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered equality. NGLTF is
committed to that vision and to making this a better society for
all of us.
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3. Barney Frank plays the Bathroom Card to Keep TG's Out of ENDA
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(from the June 10 issue of Bay Windows)
http://www.baywindows.com/article.asp?id=533
Task Force drops support for federal anti-bias bill
by Loren King
Bay Windows staff
Lack of transgender protections in ENDA is cited as reason
(following up on #2 above,) --------------
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., one of ENDAs sponsors in the House, said NGLTFs decision will have no impact on the fate of the bill.
I respect NGLTF and I'm glad to work with them, but no congressional votes will be lost because of the group's decision not to support the bill, said Frank. He added that if ENDA was rewritten to include explicit protections for transgendered people, the bill would have no chance whatsoever at passage. In fact, the bill's chances now are not particularly good, Frank said.
Its not as if this is a truck moving along at 60 miles-per-hour and they are asking us for a ride. This is an uphill climb. We can win, but it irks me that fighting for this bill has become less important than amending it, Frank said. The votes are there. But the Republican leadership [in the House] wont let it come up for a vote. If [House Minority Leader Richard] Gephart becomes Speaker in 2000, the bill will pass ... [As long as the GOP controls the House] there is virtually no chance.
Unlike the House, the Senate can bring a bill to a vote without leadership approval. In 1996, the Senate fell one vote shy of passing ENDA. Frank and Christopher Shays, R-Conn., are ENDAs sponsors in the House; in the Senate, Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., James Jeffords, R-Vermont, and Joseph Lieberman, R-Conn. are the sponsors.
Isaacs said NGLTF is considering sponsoring alternate bills that are more inclusive than the current ENDA. She said the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the gay political organization that spearheaded ENDA, was aware from the beginning that the NGLTF was committed to transgender inclusion, and so ENDA, in its current form, was unsatisfactory. There were no mysteries, she said. NGLTF for the past several years has included the anagram GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) to all its releases and materials.
But HRC spokesman David Smith said HRC did not expect to lose NGLTF support. It surprised and saddened us and obviously we are very disappointed, he said. There was little discussion. We plan to continue to push for the bill in its current form. Its sad that the Task Force chose to do this.
He said HRC has known for a long time that several groups had concerns about ENDAs limitations.
Our commitment is to continue to work with transgender groups, to do the education work in Congress which desperately needs to be done, Smith said. If an amendment was added to include transgender [discrimination], wed support it.
Smith agreed that the current Congress is not ready to accept a transgender-inclusive ENDA. This bill is where Congress is. Weve heard criticism that the [current] bill doesnt stand a chance; well, the bill in its current form continues to defy conventional wisdom. We believe the votes are there and we will press for a vote in this Congress.
Frank said he disagrees strongly with the notion that you dont accept a partial measure when trying to legislate against discrimination. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), for one, protects gay men with AIDS but not lesbians and gay men without AIDS. Should I not vote for it? ... In 1976, [former state Rep.] Elaine Noble and I purposely did not push to have gays and lesbians included in the equal rights amendment to the [Massachusetts] Constitution because we knew it would lose. Its the only way to do it. The notion that you dont support [a bill with] some protections because it doesnt include all just isnt clear thinking.
Frank said including transgender protections in ENDA is far more complicated than, say, inclusion of transgender persons in the federal hate crimes act, which Frank supports. The current ENDA would protect transgender individuals if they are discriminated against because they are gay or lesbian or perceived as being gay or lesbian, he said. But there are workplace situationscommunal showers, for examplewhen the demands of the transgender community fly in the face of conventional norms and therefore would not pass in any Congress.
Ive talked with transgender activists and what they wantand what we will be forced to defendis for people with penises who identify as women to be able to shower with other women, said Frank, citing the activists handbook which states that a persons declared gender is the one by which he or she should be recognized. There are no votes for that. And if that is the price for this bill, it is wrong.
(Note: Well played, Barney. Why protest when the Conservatives label you using some article that is also completely out of the mainstream, when you do the same thing! What a hypocrite!)
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4. Methodist Family Gets the Message on TG Inclusion
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(Phyllabuster note: the following family needs to talk to Barney
Frank and insure that all welcomed transgenders either shower
and potty in the backyard or else not get federal job protection.)
from Houston Chronicle, June 18, 1999, 09:48 p.m., at www.chron.com
Methodist camp plans to evict family for supporting gay rights
By EVELYNE GIRARDET
Associated Press
CHICAGO -- When the Grahams bought a cottage at a Methodist campground in suburban Chicago, they found an idyllic setting to spend their summers and celebrate their faith.
But five years later, Nannette and Bill Graham face eviction after their 16-year-old daughter, Amelia, posted signs in the cottage's windows supporting gay friends the Chicago family contends were being discriminated against by the campground.
Trustees at the Historic United Methodist Campground notified the Grahams that they want them out by Monday, and have threatened to change the cottage's locks.
Meanwhile, Chicago-area leaders of the church have launched an investigation into the dispute as the Grahams vow to fight for their home.
"This is a bigger issue than gay or lesbian rights to us," Nannette Graham said Friday. "We would have taken a stand for anyone's civil rights."
She said the dispute started last summer when two men rented one of the 100 cottages on the campground in northwest suburban Des Plaines.
After rumors surfaced that the men were a homosexual couple, camp residents held a prayer vigil in front of their cottage and chanted scripture against homosexuality, Graham said. At the end of the summer, the men were told by camp trustees that they would not be allowed to rent again in 1999.
The Grahams wrote a letter to the board of the Chicago District Campground Association, which runs the camp, informing officials that the two men would be their house guests.
The board responded that that would violate camp rules. Then Amelia went to work on her posters.
One read: "Gays and lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders, welcome." Two weeks ago, the Grahams received a final letter from the board, informing them that they were being evicted for violating their "privilege of ownership of a cottage."
Messages left at the campground offices were not returned Friday.
Marjorie J. Cilley, association board president, told the Chicago Sun-Times that the Grahams had not followed camp regulations. "They violated the bylaws. That's all I'm at liberty to say, " she said.
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5. LGBT Lawyers in Texas, 400% increase at State Bar Convention
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Last week in Fort Worth, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification (SO&GI) Issues Section of the Texas Bar met at the annual Texas Bar Convention. The attendance of 32 LGBT and SOFFA attorneys was a 400% increase over last years. Chairs had to be brought into the meeting room to seat everyone. Two and one-half hours of continuing education credits were given and the presenters did workshops on Sodomy Statutes, Transgender Legal Issues, Same-Sex Adoptions and LGBT Employment Issues.
Note: In August at the annual American Bar Association Convention in Atlanta, the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (www.nlgla.org) will present several LGBT legal workshops including the second ever ABA workshop on TG legal issues.
Note: In October, in Seattle will be the annual Lavender Law Conference for LGBT and SOFFA attorneys on LGBT legal issues.
Some of my favorite times as a crossdresser are as follows:
Getting ready is always a lot of fun. I know I take too much time (considering the years I have been at this) but I enjoy primping and fussing with my makeup and wardrobe. One of my favorite expressions is "Getting ready is half the fun". How about you?
I find it thrilling when a man makes a pass at me when I am out. It proves that I have done well in my preparations for the evening. Now if I can just find my femme voice long enough to let him down gently.
Finally, I do so enjoy all the "safe" places that we have to go to such as Innvestments meetings and functions. They allow me to go out dressed as a lady with none of the fears of being in the public world where things can get scary. Or maybe I'm just too self concious.
Would anyone else like to share their favorite times with the rest of us? Send them to Your Innvestment c/o Brenda L.