BACKGROUND REPORT: Transgender Awareness

This was a secret that appeared on the postsecret.com website this weekend. Post Secret is a project started by Frank Warren where anyone can anonymously send in their secret/s on a postcard and he will post them to his website or publish them in a book. This is just one example of how prominent the subject of Transgender is in our society. Something that is often overlooked.

So what is Transgender?
This is a very straightforward and informative website from the American Psychological Association that answers questions people have about Transgender people, gender identity, and gender expression. Take some time to look through the site and get a background for the topic. http://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality/transgender.aspx

This is a representation of the Transgender symbol; it links the universally accepted symbols of male and female into one entity. It includes everyone, and excludes no one. The butterfly symbolizes transformation.

Why do we care?
Stories of transgender individuals are popping up all over the media. These cases are raising questions and sparking debates all around the country.

The Case of Thomas Beatie

In 2008, society was confronted by some startling images and news stories; a pregnant man.

Thomas Beatie is a Female-to-Male Transsexual. He legally changed his sex to male, and has now given birth to three children. This is a fascinating interview by Barbra Walters after the birth of Thomas’ first child. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video?id=6259840

Transgender is one of the taboo topics in society. But there are many concerns especially regarding discrimination in the job market and at work. Even in the interview, Thomas Beatie received numerous hate messages.

Offensive tampon ad?
Check out this article describing the controversies surrounding a new tampon ad (which has since been removed from YouTube). http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10776378

Some important questions it raises:
-what defines a woman?
-is this offensive? why or why not? (the comments section is pretty interesting)

Our Position:
There should be more public awareness and recognition for transgender people to nationalize anti-discrimination laws as well as possible insurance coverage for sex change operations and treatments.

Pros:
-a higher employment rate for transgender individuals.
-potential better mental health and well being for transgender people.
-lower poverty rates for transgender people.
-less harassment toward transgender individuals, and more understanding about them for everyone.
-stability and equal opportunity for transgender people to get housing
- insurance coverage for individuals requiring a sex change

Some links to check out:

http://www.transgenderlaw.org/ndlaws/index.htm#maps
(Here are some cut and dry laws regarding transgender individuals in various states and cities.)

http://transequality.org/Resources/NCTE_prelim_survey_econ.pdf
(Take a look at this National Transgender Discrimination Survey, it states more statistics to get an idea of the number of people affected.)

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/07/lgbt_discrimination.html
(This article is good to glance through, it states some discrimination examples against gender identity in the housing market and health care.)

Cons:
- Transgender individuals should not be allowed insurance coverage for sex changes and treatments, because it is an elective surgery.
- Transgender people should not be allowed to live wherever they want if it makes those around them uncomfortable.
- Employers should not be obligated to adhere to anti discrimination laws involving transgender individuals.

This will be a good background for Thursday’s debate, and a supplement to Sexing the Body.

Written by The Ghosts in the Machine: Quinn Carr, Elissa Mann and Andrea Kerrigan