Amid the debate over the new health care law, financial regulatory reform and President Barack Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, some important legislation can fall through the cracks.
One such bill is the Employee Non-Discrimination Act. This bill is notable because if passed it would protect transgender people from discrimination in the workplace.
The transgender community needs protection under the law and this bill would accomplish that. However, there is resistance from some members of Congress. This is baffling. Our elected officials have the chance to ensure all citizens of this country are treated fairly but some are balking at this responsibility.
The Blue Dog Coalition, which is made up of conservative and moderate Democrats, are among those voicing opposition.
Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., the chief whip for the coalition told the Washington Post this controversial vote would be a “mistake” due to the country’s partisan atmosphere.
The Blue Dogs are not only in their opposition. Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif., believes that “if the transgender language is included, that’s just too far,” according to the congressman’s spokesperson.
The conservative Traditional Values Coalition has built a Web site in opposition to the bill. The headline on its home page reads, “Do you want men dressed as women teaching your kids?”
Reps. Shuler and Campbell do not seem to understand this bill is imperative. Transgender people who have been victims of discrimination could care less about the political climate or whether it is an election year.
My experience with transgender people has been nothing but positive. I saw Kate Bornstein, a celebrity in the LGBTQ world, when she gave a guest lecture on campus. Born a Jewish male, Bornstein had sex reassignment surgery in 1986. She shared her life with the audience – her bout with Scientology and the hardships she faced as a transgender person. Amazingly, Bornstein did it all with a smile on her face and made the crowd laugh.
The audience consisted of many members of the LGBTQ club on campus, and perhaps there were even a few transgender people in the audience.
Regardless, the students in that lecture hall were incredibly kind.
Now I would like to address the question posed by the Traditional Values Coalition. Yes, I would like men dressed as women teaching my kids. If that is the only way to instill the American values of acceptance and inclusiveness, then so be it. Until then, I will put my faith in the Democratic leaders in Congress to do the right thing by passing this bill.
Reach Andrew at andrew.hedlund@asu.edu.