Rachel Maddow had Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, on the show last night to discuss the recent Hate Crimes Legislation (which was passed just this week in the House). They also discussed Virginia Foxx' (R-NC) allegations that Matt's death was not a hate crime, and that using his name to push Hate Crimes Legislation is "a hoax."
I love Judy Shepard. She is an intelligent woman who took an absolutely tragic event in her life and turned her passion into change and love for others. She is patient and loving in her efforts to educate others, and relentless in her intent to achieve justice in Matt's name through cultural and societal progress.
This is also a rare occasion when Rachel addresses LGBT issues that are very emotionally fueled and complicated. This issue is touchy for many people, and still fresh in our minds ten years after the fact. While Rachel is always fair and thorough in her take on events - this one is no differen - it was clear that she values setting the record straight and demonstrating respect for the Shepards as much as the greater LGBT community. It's nice to have that coming from a popular primetime figure, finally.
Linkage here:
Feministing
Shakesville
Here is the clip:
Showing posts with label lgbt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lgbt. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
A note about the T
THIS is not okay.
Last Saturday night, two trans men were harassed in, and assaulted in front of, a popular club here in DC that I and many of my friends patronize. These men were subjected to ignorant, hurtful and violent behavior by members of our own community, in an establishment that should, more or less, serve as a safe and welcoming place for everyone. The spot is a well known hang out for all members of the lgbtq community here in the district, and their friends (there's certainly no queer card check at the door). Unfortunately it seems that a couple of members of our community fail to recognize that lgbtq includes a T.
While there are certainly differences of opinion in terms of whether or not transgender men and women should be grouped in with gays and lesbians as a societal demographic, we all fall well under the definition of queer and we all deal with many of the same issues. At the forefront of the LGBTQ community's fight for equal rights is a deeper fight for acceptance. Society has long been telling us that because we are not heterosexual, we are deviant, and therefore we are less - less deserving of rights, less deserving of recognition, less deserving of protection and less deserving of acceptance. As we are at a crucial point in our community's fight to be accepted, it is important to remember that ALL members of our community deserve acceptance, not just those we understand.
If, as a gay men or lesbians, we look at our transgender brothers and sisters from the perspective of shunning that which we do not understand, we are doing exactly the same to them that members of the straight community have done to us. Gay men and lesbians struggle with gender identity. In the way we dress, in our expression of our personalities, in our social circles, in our labels and stereotypes, in the subcultural norms we create within our own community. It is something we deal with everyday, and it most certainly isn't unique to men and women who identify as transgender.
I cannot imagine what struggle of conscience, what dissonance, what social experiences transgener men and women go through. I haven't experienced it myself. Knowing that, and knowing that many people might say the same thing about me and my experiences, there is no way that I can discount or disregard another person as being a legitimate member of my community. People exist in all shapes, sizes, colors, and genders. One of the greatest things about the LGBTQ community in my mind is the concept that a bunch of people who would, in standard society, be considered misfits can come together to create a beautiful and diverse community that counters the harsh binding structures that put us there in the first place.
By discriminating against transgender men and women within our own community we are demonstrating not only our ignorance in regard to the issues that we ourselves deal with, but also our lack of appreciation and understanding for the gravity of the rights we are fighting for.
Beyond that, at it its core, is the fact that no matter what your gender identity or gender expression or sexual orientation, we are all human beings. No one deserves to be treated so poorly. It is inexcusable.
Last Saturday night, two trans men were harassed in, and assaulted in front of, a popular club here in DC that I and many of my friends patronize. These men were subjected to ignorant, hurtful and violent behavior by members of our own community, in an establishment that should, more or less, serve as a safe and welcoming place for everyone. The spot is a well known hang out for all members of the lgbtq community here in the district, and their friends (there's certainly no queer card check at the door). Unfortunately it seems that a couple of members of our community fail to recognize that lgbtq includes a T.
While there are certainly differences of opinion in terms of whether or not transgender men and women should be grouped in with gays and lesbians as a societal demographic, we all fall well under the definition of queer and we all deal with many of the same issues. At the forefront of the LGBTQ community's fight for equal rights is a deeper fight for acceptance. Society has long been telling us that because we are not heterosexual, we are deviant, and therefore we are less - less deserving of rights, less deserving of recognition, less deserving of protection and less deserving of acceptance. As we are at a crucial point in our community's fight to be accepted, it is important to remember that ALL members of our community deserve acceptance, not just those we understand.
If, as a gay men or lesbians, we look at our transgender brothers and sisters from the perspective of shunning that which we do not understand, we are doing exactly the same to them that members of the straight community have done to us. Gay men and lesbians struggle with gender identity. In the way we dress, in our expression of our personalities, in our social circles, in our labels and stereotypes, in the subcultural norms we create within our own community. It is something we deal with everyday, and it most certainly isn't unique to men and women who identify as transgender.
I cannot imagine what struggle of conscience, what dissonance, what social experiences transgener men and women go through. I haven't experienced it myself. Knowing that, and knowing that many people might say the same thing about me and my experiences, there is no way that I can discount or disregard another person as being a legitimate member of my community. People exist in all shapes, sizes, colors, and genders. One of the greatest things about the LGBTQ community in my mind is the concept that a bunch of people who would, in standard society, be considered misfits can come together to create a beautiful and diverse community that counters the harsh binding structures that put us there in the first place.
By discriminating against transgender men and women within our own community we are demonstrating not only our ignorance in regard to the issues that we ourselves deal with, but also our lack of appreciation and understanding for the gravity of the rights we are fighting for.
Beyond that, at it its core, is the fact that no matter what your gender identity or gender expression or sexual orientation, we are all human beings. No one deserves to be treated so poorly. It is inexcusable.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Smile!
I am Out.
After reflecting on 2008 and looking forward to what I hope 2009 will bring, I realized that there was only one way to assure that this new year started off on a good note for me. So yesterday I came out to my mother.
Other parents should take courses from her on how to react to their kids coming out. While I gave the benefit of a doubt that my mother wouldn't be cruel to me, or hurtful, or disown me, I never completely ruled that out as a possibility. I'm an analytical, planning person, and I had backup plans for every scenario. Nonetheless, my relief was incredible when she just smiled and said "I knew that already."
I am fortunate to have a great relationship with my parents, and I know that many, if not most, people do not have such openness and unconditional love in their families.
From the moment I came out to myself, I resolved to be who I was - to accept myself and be myself all the time. I haven't been hiding the fact that I am gay, nor have I pretended to be straight in the presence of my parents (goodness knows my dad is sick of hearing me rave about Rachel Maddow!) That being said, it is a big deal because although I anticipated that my parents at least suspected my being gay, my love life, my sexuality and my relationships have never been a topic of conversation. Mostly this is because I choose not to initiate that type of conversation, and my parents respectfully don't pry.
I feel a responsibility both toward my parents and myself to actually take the time to say "I'm gay." They need to hear it from me. They need to know that I'm not a different person because I'm gay, that I'm proud of who I am just like they taught me I should be, and that I trust them enough to be open about it. I don't want it to be some unspoken understanding. That's unhealthy for a family, and as I grow older and my personal relationships are more serious I want both my parents and my partners/girlfriends/whatevers to appreciate and respect each other. I never want the experience of bringing someone home to an awkward unwelcoming situation. I owe myself and my future that much.
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