I Don’t Get The Need

I see what they want to do but is there a need for it and will organizations give up their independence? These are just a couple of questions that I have.

The Trans Congress of America
Daily Kos
By RachaelRoseLuckey
April 03, 2017

Most of us agree the Transgender Community is under attack like never before. Because of the visibility we have enjoyed in the media et al. over the last 3 or 4 years including the former President doing what he could for us within the scope of his powers, today, with the installation of 45th and his gang of bigoted thugs, we are in the cross-hairs of one of the most openly anti-Trans administrations in modern history.

Our response to this must be one of unified and strategically organized national resistance.  There are Trans organizations working diligently and to some degree working in coordination with one another but in my opinion, there needs to be a nationally visible Transgender body pulling all the threads together in an effort to weave together the fabric of our movement.

The article then goes on to publish their Constitution and some of the things that popped out at me are,

The Congressional Body shall be comprised of three Representatives from each state elected every 2 years by popular vote of the General Membership within those States.
[…]
Section 1 - General
Membership to the Trans Congress of America shall be deemed valid upon receipt of:
1.  The yearly membership dues as required by the current ratified resolution of the Congressional Body affixing the amount of such dues but in no case shall the dues required be less than Ten United States Dollars ($10.00).
2.  A signed affidavit swearing, under penalty of perjury, that the member is a self identified Transgender American.
3.  Proof of US citizenship.

Section 2 – “Transness Test”
No “transness test” shall ever be required as a qualification to membership, any office or public trust under the Trans Congress Of America.

My thoughts on this are what happens if they cannot afford the ten dollars and how are members going to be recruited? Will they go into the Latino and Black communities to recruit minorities?

How are they going to elect the state representatives? Will minorities be represented?

Section 8 – Assembly Of The Congressional Body
The Congressional Body shall assemble in person at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in April, unless they shall by resolution appoint a different day. A different city shall be selected as the place of assembly each year.

Those trans people who are living day by day cannot afford to travel to wherever the Congress if being held, will they get travel expenses?

And these are the biggies,

Section 14 – Raising and Dispersion Of Funds
The Congressional Body shall have power to lay and collect membership dues, apply for grants through 501(c)(3) Fiscal Sponsors and accept donations, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of Transgender Americans; but all membership dues shall be uniform throughout the United States.

No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by resolution; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.

Section 15 – Incorporation
At no time shall the Trans Congress of America become an incorporated entity.

If it is not going to be incorporated I doubt very many non-profits would want to take on the fiduciary reasonability. Also I do not think many 501(c)3 companies would give their funds to an unincorporated entity, I know my Board wouldn’t.

The article said,

The vision here is not to set up another dysfunction political system.  Far from it.  The vision is to have a central body where a national agenda can be set, resources can be allocated and meaningful action can be taken.  Nor is it envisioned to wrest control from those who have built sustained pro-Trans orgs that continue to do great works for our community.  But to create a space where all of these efforts can be amplified.

Will non-profits be willing to set aside their agenda’s that they have for their states which they know best to take on a national agenda? I think that we know our states the best, we know what is needed locally, and we know what legislation will pass and what it takes to pass the bills. We know what bills and goals our allied non-profits will work together on. We know our power base.

I really wish them luck because they will be needed.