Monday, May 19, 2014

Flashback Floor of CT House of Representatives

It was on this day in 2011 that the CT House of Representatives took up the debate on the gender inclusive anti-discrimination bill HB6599.

From my blog...
After over 5 1/2 hours of debate the House passes the gender inclusive anti-discrimination bill with a vote of 77 – 62.

The bill was not on the House “Go List” this morning but it was called at a little after 5 this afternoon, a series of uncalled amendments were offered and all were defeated. A called amendment was passed; the amendment enhanced the definition of gender identity and expression. The amendment was,
    "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, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose. "
It was very emotional at the end, we were all standing watching the tally board as the votes were cast. I was brought to tears as we realized that we won. The vote on the bathroom amendment was earlier in the evening was close 62 - 67 and we feared that the vote on the bill would go the same way.

But in the end it passed! 

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