Another Voice

Another North Carolinian speaks out against HB2, billionaire Martine Rothblatt. Do you listen to Sirius Radio? Did you know that the founder of Sirius is trans?

For transgender CEO, fight to repeal NC’s HB2 is personalHighlights:

• Martine Rothblatt had sex reassignment surgery in 1994
• Her biotech company, United Therapeutics, employs 300 in Research Triangle Park
• She says HB2 is causing ‘psychological trauma for no benefit’

The Charlotte Observer
By David Bracken
May 13, 2016

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK
Like many CEOs whose companies have operations in the Triangle, Martine Rothblatt is against House Bill 2, the controversial legislation that has put North Carolina at the center of the fight over transgender rights.

But unlike many of her fellow CEOs, Rothblatt has a very personal connection to the issues being raised by HB2. In addition to being CEO of United Therapeutics, a $5 billion biotechnology company that employs 300 people in Research Triangle Park, Rothblatt is also transgender.

Born Martin, Rothblatt had sex reassignment surgery in 1994 and has written widely about sexual identity and the need to overhaul our system of labeling people as either male or female based only on their genitalia.
[…]
Rothblatt believes HB2 stems from a lack of education and understanding about the transgender community. She said many transgender people already fear they don’t appear female or male enough and will be arrested for using the “wrong” bathroom.

“So for people who are already dealing with a very, very emotional issue it’s adding some psychological trauma for no benefit,” Rothblatt said of HB2. “ ... And I think that there’s enough real problems we have in the world that I think we should focus on solving real problems rather than causing trauma to our own fellow North Carolinians.”

I think she is right the fear is fear of the unknown, people just do not understand what gender dysphoria is and base their emotions on the lies and fearmongering of the conservatives. Harvey Milk was right when he said,

“Gay brothers and sisters,... You must come out. Come out... to your parents... I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives... come out to your friends... if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors... to your fellow workers... to the people who work where you eat and shop... come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters who are becoming scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene.”

The conservatives have made us the boogeyman and until the public sees us no different than themselves we will be continuing fighting these battles.