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| Photo courtesy of Deja |
"Gender identity or expression" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth… (CT Public Act 11-55).Notice that nowhere in the definition does it say anything about being transgender. This is important because the law isn’t meant to be exclusive but inclusive of anyone who crosses the gender normal, they do not have trans or gay or lesbian or even genderqueer, the law protects the guy who happens to wear his hair long and maybe has an earring or a women who has her hair cut short and likes to wear men tailored suits. If he or she is being discriminated against because they do not dress or look gender appropriately then they are covered by the law.
The anti-discrimination laws do not mean that you must approve of a person or change your religious beliefs or you have to treat a person special because they are gender variant. It does mean that you have to treat that person just as you would treat anyone else who walks into your store or you are hiring or are giving a loan or renting a room.
In PolicyMic Andrea Ayres finishes up her editorial with…
Trans individuals still fight for the right to exist, to be included, in our society. I, as a cisgendered [is someone who self-identifies with the gender they were born with.] person, never have to think about my inclusivity. It is generally assumed. That is why our language, the pronouns we use day-to-day, must be more inclusive. This may seem like a small step, but it isn't. Language has always been a reflection of our culture. Our treatment of trans individuals is a reflection of our society and we have a lot of work to do.How we as a nation treat people who look or act outside the norm is a reflection on all of us. Diversity is what made this country so great.
Part 2 this afternoon.
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