Saturday, April 15, 2006

Gender and Gender Expression

Why having the phrase “Gender Expression” is so important to the Anti-Discrimination bill, it is because without that phrase the bill would be meaningless. Without it, if a transsexual showed up dressed as the opposite gender and got fired. All the employer has to say is that they didn’t fire the employee because they were a transsexual but because they expressed themselves by coming to work. Or fired because a woman didn't look womanly enough or a man didn't look manly enough. The bill is for anyone who crosses the gender norms.
I have a friend who the mother of two daughters but she doesn’t look womanly enough, she is tall, heavy set, has somewhat of a deep voice and she is always getting “Sired” or is asked to use the men’s room. That is a form of discrimination based on gender expression; she does not fit the gender norms of what a woman should look like.
So we need the phrase “Gender Expression” included in the legislation in order to be inclusive of everyone who crosses the gender norms.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for explaining this so well. I have to say that I'd not given it much thought. Very much enjoying your blog (and photos).

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