Gender Justice’s Post

a simple X/Y test should resolve the issue

The recent developments in New Hampshire's legislature, where anti-trans bills have gained traction with some Democratic support, are deeply concerning and indicative of a broader political issue. Despite the vigilance of the transgender community and its allies, the challenge remains in mobilizing centrists and moderate politicians to understand the real cost of their actions. This isn't a new issue; it's a continuation of the pattern where transgender rights are perceived as a political liability rather than a non-negotiable aspect of human rights. The support from some Democrats for these bills is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for transgender equality. It's a reflection of the uncomfortable and often unpopular position transgender rights hold in mainstream political discourse. The inclusion of transgender individuals in equality measures seems to be more of a theoretical concept rather than a practical commitment for some politicians. This underscores the need for additional strategies in engaging with centrists and moderates. A focus on educating and showing the tangible, human impact of discriminatory policies, and aligning transgender rights with broader principles of fairness and freedom that many centrists claim to uphold. It’s crucial to shift the narrative, emphasizing that transgender rights are an integral part of the social fabric, not a matter of convenience or popularity. Though honestly, this is something that we have been doing very well. They just haven't been listening... https://lnkd.in/dTUM3vNw

What I recently wrote in my Substack: The pro-Putin and pro-Trump supporters are losing their minds over the fact that today is both Easter Sunday and the International Transgender Day of Visibility. #substack #EasterSunday #TransDayOfVisibility https://lnkd.in/eg6CvtED

Long before people identified as transgender or lesbian, there were female husbands and the women who loved them. Female husbands - people assigned female who transed gender, lived as men, and married women - were true queer pioneers. Moving deftly from the colonial era to just before the First World War, Jen Manion uncovers the riveting and very personal stories of ordinary people who lived as men despite tremendous risk, danger, violence, and threat of punishment. Female Husbands weaves the story of their lives in relation to broader social, economic, and political developments in the United States and the United Kingdom while also exploring how attitudes towards female husbands shifted in relation to transformations in gender politics and women's rights, ultimately leading to the demise of the category of 'female husband' in the early twentieth century. Groundbreaking and influential, Female Husbands offers a dynamic, varied, and complex history of the LGBTQ past. https://a.co/d/1kw2BOW

Content Warning: politics, queer/transphobia, mental health. I was holding back on saying something political, but amplifying this is important to me - I'll omit certain details to keep it vague. I recently received a piece of electoral correspondence from one of the major parties that styled itself as a letter from a future version of myself in 2044. If you've received this as well, I'm sure you know where I'm going. In it, "the party" assumes a lot of very negative things about myself that are uncharacteristic for me. I know this was written as a "catch-all" by an intern or a gen-AI using publicly accessible data from the Electoral Register, so I should probably put it out of mind for what it is: total rubbish. However while reading it I tried to laugh it off, "how dare someone think they know me better?" kind of thing, but it didn't help. I don't use the term trans/transgender for myself (despite using they/them pronouns) as I'm still an an awkward phase of working things out in private. The more I read that "letter" I felt a deepening dread, head spinning, sick to my stomach in a way more violent and deep a pit as any rollercoaster could create. After asking some friends (not in UK, but still very queer), we pinned it as a wave of gender dysphoria - something I haven't recognised with such clarity before. I've spent the past few days trying to see if I can report the document, or remove my details from the electoral register for the purposes of advertising (whilst maintaining the right to vote), only to find that the request to remove that permission needs to be sent to every UK political party individually, with no guarantee that they will comply. It's also sent my mental health into a negative spiral. You'd think the PR agencies that help run political campaigns - ideologically aligned or not - would have members of staff that would at least question or offer an alternative perspective? I know I did, and yet here I am wondering how many others felt like me reading it? How many trans people face that same dread and sickness just from waking up in the morning, unsure of what it will bring? How many of our siblings, parents, and friends go to bed at the end of the day and hope they don't wake up because the systems around us have neglected their healthcare needs? How many smiles and chances of happy memories have been taken from our trans youth because of hate? Because some lives are deemed to be worth less than others in the name of "public safety"? Because "it just makes sense"? The answer is too many. There isn't a "good" option on the table, realistically it's a choice of the least worst option - has been for a while. Picking the option that is willing to be understanding, not to score "societal points" like we're on Reddit, and sit at the table with trans & queer people to make actual changes. Tomorrow, please vote - consider change and compassion. With hope, a closet queer. ✊🏳🌈

Trans Day of Remembrance 2023 - Advocating for Inclusivity and Equality As we observe Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on November 20, 2023, let's take a moment to reflect on the challenges faced by the transgender community and renew our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable world. TDoR serves as a poignant reminder of the violence and discrimination disproportionately faced by transgender individuals globally. It prompts us to stand in solidarity, acknowledging the struggles and advocating for a future free from prejudice. I was out in the cold at the start of this year, lighting a candle and grieving with the community in Sheffield over the murder of Brianna Ghey. Since then the environment has become more hostile, not less. In our professional spheres, let's strive to create workplaces that embrace diversity and inclusion. Acknowledging and respecting the diverse experiences of our colleagues contributes to a more innovative and compassionate work environment. Advocate for Change: As professionals, we have a responsibility to advocate for policies that protect the rights of our transgender colleagues. Let's champion inclusivity, equal opportunities, and safe workspaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity. https://lnkd.in/euSnKEU7

Transgender Fear Mongering Hurts Us All: 5 Facts I Have Learned About Transgender People. 1) Transgender People DO NOT Transition So They Can Compete in a Sport. 2) Transgender People are Far More Likely To BE ASSAULTED Than to Assault Others. 3) More Than 40% of Transgender People Attempt Suicide. 4) Transgender People are Used as Political Pawns for Issues they Didn’t Create. 5) Gender is a Social Construct I go into further details for each fact on my blog. Please note, I have learned a lot more than I am sharing at this time. I suggest following organizations like forge-forward.org, thetrevorproject.org, and transstudent.org for more information. https://lnkd.in/gCHx4W-n

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but seeming as very few of the parties and politicians campaigning for election tomorrow seem to understand it or care, let me be very clear: Transgender women are not a threat to anyone’s safety. ”Gender Ideology” is a term coined by right wing and internet based hate groups to present the rights and existence of transgender people as a threat to other parts of society. No one is trying to make anyone else transgender. People advocating for trans rights and safety are trying to ensure that people who are trans are treated with safety, respect and at a baseline, kept alive. If you are worried about men using transgender inclusion policy to access women’s spaces and assault women, then you are not worried about the actions of transgender people, you are worried about the actions of men. Please advocate (and vote) for policies which actually address that. The use of transgender people during this election cycle has been engineered as a dog whistle distraction from the horrific state of the U.K economically and socially. The question “what is a woman?” is an easier hit to a politician than “how are you going to solve the cost of living crisis?” or “why can’t I access medical care?” If you consider yourself an LGBTQ+ ally, please take the time to review the policies of the person or party you are voting for on LGBTQ+ and transgender rights. If you are not planning to vote for your own reasons, please consider using your vote to advocate for the trans community. Yours, with hope, Max (a real life transgender person) #DEI #GeneralElection #UKPolitics #Vote

Vanessa Joy and Arienne Childrey, both trans women running for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, were disqualified from the race due to a rarely enforced state law requiring them to put their “deadname” on their candidate petition. This blatant denial of Vanessa and Arienne’s identities is not only deeply harmful but also a disheartening setback for trans representation in politics. Transgender representation in politics carries immense importance for several reasons. It allows for a genuine diversity of experiences and perspectives within our elected bodies. Trans voices in policy-making also provide opportunities for laws and regulations that are more inclusive and protective of transgender people’s rights and well-being. We must strive for an electoral system that respects and acknowledges the chosen identities of all candidates, especially as attitudes and legal precedents shift regarding transgender rights. 🏛️🌍 At Lambda Legal, we stand in solidarity with Vanessa Joy, Arienne Childrey and all trans leaders fighting for representation and justice. 🌐 To learn more about Vanessa's story, check out this article: https://lnkd.in/eXF-28cH

When I sit down and reflect on Human Rights, I often turn to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—a document that boldly proclaims the equality of all individuals. It's a powerful statement, one that resonates deeply with me, especially as a transgender individual. The promise of equality, the fundamental principle that every person is inherently deserving of dignity and respect, feels both uplifting and poignant. As I look at myself through this lens of equality, I'm reminded of the complexities faced by transgender individuals. In the light of this declaration, I'm struck by the gap that exists between the ideal and the reality. The journey to equality and understanding for transgender individuals is an ongoing one, marked by milestones but also riddled with obstacles. Yet, within this journey, there's an unyielding spirit, a collective determination to ensure that the promise of equality encompasses every individual, regardless of their gender identity. As a transgender person, I am part of a resilient community striving not just for recognition but for full and unreserved acceptance. So, when I consider Human Rights in the context of my own identity, I find hope in the strides made and a resolve to keep pushing boundaries, fostering empathy, and advocating for a world where every person truly experiences the equality they deserve. In the spirit of Human Rights Day, let's continue the dialogue, challenge the status quo, and work towards a world where the promise of equality is a lived reality for everyone. #HumanRights #EqualityForAll #TransRightsAreHumanRights #InclusionMatters