Why TG’s should support gay rights. (Part 1)

We often make mention of the GLBT community, but honestly, the “T”? I think it really ought to be dropped.

Not because it doesn’t belong there, but because that “T” hasn’t really earned the position. (And someone might make a strong case that the “B” is loafing, too.)

Where is the trans community when we should be marching shoulder to shoulder pad with gays and lesbians? Our turnout at many pride events is pitiful. We don’t show up in force at National Coming Out Day activities. And all the other events, gay rodeos, local chorus concerts, it’s amazing if there’s one or two of us in the crowd. (Hell, attendance at our own events, like TG Day of Remembrance isn’t what it should be either, but that again, is another topic.)

Oh, don’t take me to task for making a blanket statement. Yes, there are plenty of exceptions. There are committed individuals who are working their keisters off to make things better, but they are the minority.

By and large, the transgender community tends to hold the gay and lesbian community at arm’s length, when we should be embracing them.

I’ve heard all the arguments on why we shouldn’t, and why we don’t, but frankly, none of them swim. (And I’ll tear into those next week.) For now—Reasons why transgendered individuals should support gay rights:

1. Same sex marriage. If you’re transsexual and married, and want to stay that way. Ask yourself how the law is going to treat you when your state passes a ban on same-sex marriage.

2. If you’re a crossdresser, and you’re attacked coming out of a bar, do you really think the attacker is going to stop beating you when you insist you’re not gay?

3. Choice. We don’t chose to be transgendered, just as gays and lesbians don’t chose to be homosexual.

4. We share a goal: freedom of expression. Gay rights are human rights. Human rights are transgender rights…

Category: All TGForum Posts, Transgender Opinion