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

Re: HRC

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

hm. i've said that, and it's not because i am uncomfortable with my own prejudices (i'd be happy with a female or black president), but because i am cynical about american social attitudes.

i agree with her about america not being ready for TS rights, but i also think she's a bigot (i don't think it's necessarily self-hatred, i think it's othering of "men in dresses", and there is lots and lots of that going on in the M2F community; she is quite representative IME). HRC ought to dammit fight for those rights, not kowtow to stone age attitudes.

Re: HRC

[redbird]

I doubt, though, that you would argue that we shouldn't support a candidate who isn't a white male because it's "too soon," or not push for trans rights on the grounds that other people aren't ready. Because they won't move towards being ready if nobody pushes (in a variety of ways, definitely including education as well as working to pass laws).

Re: HRC

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

hm. i wonder. depends on the level of support and what's at stake. i'd gladly in general support candidates for whom i might feel it's "too soon", because as you say, pushing the envelope is important. but what if the choice comes down to, say, 4 more years of a really horrible regime or a white male candidate on the other side, and it'll be touch and go who'll win anyway?

i'd probably go for the white male. if strategic voting isn't important, i'd go for the candidate i like best instead and nevermind whether zie doesn't have a chance in hell. for me strategic voting doesn't kick in often, luckily, because i really hate it.

in the case of ENDA, i think it was a mistake to vote strategically, but i also think people of good will could come to a different conclusion. (i don't think susan stanton qualifies, though.)