On a national level, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese praised the Iowa Legislature yesterday for their work up to this point.
“Legislators in Iowa have taken historic action to advance the cause of equality for all Iowans. Once this bill is signed, Iowa will be a freer and fairer place for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents,” he said in a release. “We applaud the many legislators who voted for fairness and equality; Governor Culver, who has pledged to sign this bill; our friends at One Iowa, the Interfaith Alliance Action Fund, the Iowa Safe Schools Task Force and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, as well as all the HRC members in Iowa who worked hard to pass this important legislation.”
But the news article and the HRC press release must not have thought important to mention the fact that a compromise just about strips protection for gender identity from the bill…
By JASON CLAYWORTH
De Moines REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Published April 26, 2007
A compromise plan strikes "appearance, expression, or behavior" from protection related to gender identity. House Democratic leaders accepted the compromise and made the decision to bring up the bill Wednesday not knowing whether it would pass.
To me what the compromise says is that it is OK to be transgender as long as you don’t dress or act it. To me that compromise writes us off and that to go out and say how great the bill is wrong. They have stabs us in the back and are gloating over the fact.
It is a sell out of the transgender community.
Hi Diana!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the HRC. I know we have a difference of opinion on LMF, I've caught them deliberately lying before and have never been able to put them back on a pedastal. I truly admire your dedication and passion for your beliefs. I always TRY to remember a rule someone at the capital once told me; Do not ever personalize politics. I can not see anyone gloating over stabbing you in the back. You are the kind of person most people wish they could be. Is there an e-mail address or phone number we could write/call to question the HRC about their support of the Trans community?
Best Wishes,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer
ReplyDeleteI am actually going to be at the HRC Headquarters next Monday for training. The National Center for Transgender Equality is having their lobbying training in HRC building. So that will give me a chance to ask them in person how they can support the Iowa bill.
I am going down there with a mutual friend Ms. D, so the trip should be quite interesting in more ways than one.
I'm glad you're going to speak with them in person. HRC needs to be inclusive of ALL of the GLTB community.
ReplyDelete