A Great Year For The Trans-Community

I came across this article in the Advocate by Mara Keisling, 14 Reasons That Made 2011 Great for Trans People and I have to agree that it was a good year for us. While the Gay community was focused on marriage and the repeal of DADT, we were focused on Human Rights.

1. More and More State and Local Laws Pass
Four states (Hawaii, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Nevada) passed transgender antidiscrimination laws--the most new laws ever in one year. Vermont and California passed new birth certificate laws making it easier for transgender people to update their name and gender. By a vote of 61-81, the Maine legislature killed an anti-trans bill. And 13 local jurisdictions passed laws protecting trans people in the workplace.

Before Connecticut passed the gender inclusive anti-discrimination law, the city of Hartford passed their own gender inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance, leading the state to the punch.

Some other milestones according to the article…

2. The White House Makes Trans People and Issues a Priority
3. Harmony Santana Becomes the First Openly Trans Actor to Get a Major Award Nomination
4. Trans Health Policy Improves
5. First Sitting Cabinet Secretary Addresses a Trans Event
6. Using Sex Discrimination Laws to Protect Trans People
7. The U.S. and the U.N. Speak Up for LGBT Rights

The Bush administration was totally against giving any protection both on a global level and a national level, and he refused to sign the Human Right declaration for LGBT people. President Obama signed it as one of the first things that he did in office.

8. Release of the Most Comprehensive Study on Trans Discrimination
9. Improved Standards of Care for Trans People [WPATH released SOC version 7]
10. Government Backs Trans Federal Workers
11. Veterans Administration Raises the Bar on Trans Health
12. Chaz Bono Teaching Trans to the Masses
13. Making Schools Safe for Trans Youth
14. All Federal Legislation Introduced this Congress is Trans-Inclusive

Here in Connecticut a new and stronger anti-bullying law went into effect in September and the law included gender identity and expression.

This was a good year for trans-folks and I hope the trend continues.