HRC

[bcholmes]

I've run into a few posts recently about Susan Stanton, a transwoman who is somehow involved with the Human Rights Campaign (the precise relationship isn't clear to me). As most trans folk know, the Human Rights Campaign is unpopular with a lot of transfolk for supporting a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that excludes trans protections.

Some of the criticisms of Susan Stanton are based on her relatively new-comer status to the trans community. TransAdvocate says:

One of the most obvious reasons that she should not represent the transgender community is experience. This time last year, Susan was still Steve. Susan was still closeted. She transitioned from Steve to Susan in May of last year. The words "newbie" and "neophyte" ring loudly through my ears when the name Susan Stanton is spoken. A recent story in the St. Petersburg Times shows just how unprepared Stanton is to lead this community.

In addition, some of the stuff she says is simply ill-informed:

"Susan has said all along that she’s not like other transgender people. She feels uncomfortable even looking at some, "like I’m seeing a bunch of men in dresses."

Eventually, she decided it was too early for transgender people to be federally protected. People need more time, more education, she says. "The transgender groups boo me, now, when I speak. Isn't that ironic?

"But I don't blame the human rights groups from separating the transgender people from the protected groups. Most Americans aren't ready for us yet," Susan says. Transgender people need to be able to prove they’re still viable workers — especially in the mainstream.

"The biggest issue against the federal legislation is that politicians think the ladies' rooms will be invaded by guys in drag," Susan says, "instead of someone like me."

I usually don't pay much attention to the HRC but they've been leaving an increasingly bad taste in my mouth for a while. And while I am clear that Susan Stanton has been treated horribly her former employers, I just can't understand why she's taking the stances she's taking. No, I can understand. She doesn't have enough experience in these matters, and she's trying to stay friends with the type of people who fired her. This is why trans people need protections like ENDA.

Comments

[sarah-dragon.livejournal.com]

Well if she keeps saying things like that then I doubt she will ever be popular among Transfolk at least those who are tired of being treated as subhuman. It's not time for us yet? People need more time? Time for what?

I have been watching B5 again lately and she reminds me of the one Narn was the Centauri lap dog after the Narn were conquered. Transfolk are not terrorists, we're not bombing buildings or putting plastigue in are garters. Why are we treated that way?

Now I admit, the Transcommunity does have its own 'party line' like any group or community and I sometimes feel that if I don't say all the right things then I am not welcome. However, this woman is basically saying that we and she should not expect our civil rights to be protected until the people of America have had enough 'time'.

I wonder where I can find more information about her...

[bcholmes.livejournal.com]

Her case was pretty famous not so long ago, so unsurprisingly, there's a Wikipedia entry.

[sarah-dragon.livejournal.com]

Yeah since you posted and I commented I went to Google. She has had a lot of publicity. Everyone considers her something of a folk hero I guess. I dunno, there is something very "Meet John Doe" about the whole thing that leaves me suspicious and queasy.