[Editorial]
Back when we first introduced the non-discrimination bill in 2007, a trans woman submitted testimony for the bill. Her testimony was read on the floor of the House by the Republicans.
Her testimony was along these lines “No F**king body is going to tell me where the f**k I can go the bathroom, You can take your f**king laws and shove them up your a**es!” You can imagine how that went over on the floor House.
One year when I was testifying on the gender inclusive non-discrimination bill someone let into a business… naming the business, naming the person who harassed them. When it was my turn to testify about harassed I had a local business, but I never named it, I never identified any of their employees. Now which do you think had a greater impact? The one who had an ax to grind.
Well on Facebook a family was looking for trans friendly place to move to in Connecticut. All most all the people who commented but one person had to mean mouth the school systems in the state. Judging from the tone in the persons post… they had an ax to grind.
We are harassed, bullied, assaulted, discriminated against, and all around made miserable but one thing I learned from being “out” for 26 years you are not going to change the world with a chip on your shoulder.
I am not saying don’t get mad. But rather get mad respectfully… don’t use vulgar language, don’t use ad hominem, and don’t label everyone because of one experience.
Over time I came with a list of Dos and Don’ts you can read it here on my website Testifying and Speaking in Public.
[/Editorial]
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