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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
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Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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 Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:04 am Post subject: |
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Toronto: global epicenter for oppression of sex and gender minorities
| Quote: | You know those reparative therapy "experts" who influenced the homophobic death penalty legislation in Uganda? For sex and gender minorities, that movement is not led by religious zealots, but by a handful of Toronto psychologists like Kenneth Zucker who still get taken seriously in their field.
In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) decided that gay people were no longer mentally ill, but that changed nothing for trans and gender-variant people. In fact, "experts" led the push to create a new disease called "gender identity disorder," which they successfully got added to the APA's big book of mental illnesses, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Though trans activists have been protesting to get this mental illness removed in the 2012 revision, these Toronto "experts" hold key positions among the people doing the revising.
Even worse is a sub-disease they created called "gender identity disorder in children." They have made a lot of money claiming to "cure" hundreds of children who are "too feminine." While they also treat kids who are "too masculine," in most clinics which have adopted their methods, 5 to 30 times more children assigned as males are treated. The methods? No playing with dolls, no drawing with the "wrong" colors like pink or purple, and no playing with or drawing pictures of girls. The anxious parents who bring their children in to be "cured" are expected to enforce all rules. They are sent home with instructions to make the child go through all their possessions and remove anything "inappropriate," as well as ways to use reinforcement to "correct" their child's thinking and behavior. How did nonconformity become a disease? And how did Toronto become infamous for this? It's a textbook case of pathological science with roots in the 20th-century eugenics movement, and it shows how a few misguided people can have impact all over the world. |
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Hephaestion
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| Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Trans man wins Facebook victory over banned photos
| Quote: | | A US trans man who was barred from Facebook for posting an image of his chest reconstruction has been allowed back on the site. Dominic Scaia challenged the social networking site over the policy. |
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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swirrlygrrl
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 321
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| Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | However, when another user complained to the social networking site, he discovered his account had been deleted due to Facebook's photo rules. |
Time to unfriend that person, whoever they are. |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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France de-lists transgenderism as a mental illness
| Quote: | France has become the first country in the world to declassify transgenderism as a mental illness.
Health minister Roselyne Bachelot announced in May last year, before International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), that the country would move to de-list the condition as a mental illness.
A government decree on Wednesday confirmed the change.
Although France has made the move, the World Health Organisation and the American Psychiatric Association continue to list the condition as a mental illness, rather than a medical condition.
However, trans advocates hope this will encourage them to follow suit. |
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Raos
volatilis vir
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 5472
Location: Petropolis
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| Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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| That is great news. |
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Tehanu
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Joined: 12 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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It's great news as long as France covers medical costs for people who are transitioning ... which I haven't been able to find concrete information on, except for this May 2009 LGA bulletin (pdf):
| Quote: | The French Health Ministry made an announcement on 16 May 2009 stating that France will no longer consider transsexuality as a psychiatric disorder. The “Haute Autorité de Santé” (main medical authority) is assigned to propose a decree to enforce this new situation. The main consequence of this policy change is that transsexuality shall be declassified from a long term psychiatric disorder class within the French health insurance codification.
This classification has the advantage to provide full medical insurance coverage (medicine and surgery) to people who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria for a period of a minimum of 5 years. Without going into the details, the French Health Ministry promised that a medical coverage will be maintained. |
From what I understand, continuing to have transgender/transsexuality classified as a mental illness is considered pretty essential for health care coverage in a number of jurisdictions. Which, of course, is a real shame. It's not like people don't get coverage for other non-pathological health related costs, like, say, pregnancy and childbirth.
The other thing that can be grating is referring to mental illness as a stigma. However, that said, there's no reason on earth to consider trans folks to be mentally ill. |
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swallow
homosexual monkey
Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Posts: 227
Location: Saskatchewan
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| Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Organized by Putroe Sejati Aceh (True Sons of Aceh), an organization that provides shelters for transsexuals, the 40 contestants represented 23 districts and cities in the staunchly Muslim province.
University student Zifana Letisia, from North Aceh, was crowned the pageant winner and will represent Aceh at the Miss Transsexual Indonesia 2010.
She said she was treated well at her campus despite her sexuality. “At campus, my achievements are quite extraordinary. Nobody dares to put me down.
“People on campus are polite, even respectful and proud of me, even though I am a transsexual,” Zifana said, adding that she did not take Islamic law lightly.
Organizing committee chairman Jimmy Saputra said the event had been approved by Aceh’s Ulema Consultative Assembly (MPU).
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Under the Shadow of Shariah Law, Transsexuals Take to the Stage in Aceh in Rare Beauty Contest |
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swallow
homosexual monkey
Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Posts: 227
Location: Saskatchewan
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| Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Enza Anderson?
I declare a conflict: in addition to being Toronto's wittiest transgendered woman, a political provocateuse, and a colleague in journalism, Enza is a pal; if you read this paper, you know she is running to replace Kyle Rae in Ward 27....
She intends to be taken seriously. She ran against Rae an election ago for the simplest reason in civic politics. "He didn't address an issue in my building. We had no water for four days. I thought: How dare he?
"I'm going to be available 24 hours a day. He was furious that I ran, but I respect him as a person, for what he did. He was the city's first gay politician."
The first that we know of.
And now Enza aims to be the first transgendered councillor. |
Toronto Star's Joe Fiorito on the wonderful Enza Anderson |
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Tehanu
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Joined: 12 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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Here is an unusually positive clip from the "Dr. Oz Show" (!) about parents and transgender children. Contrast the pediatrician on the show with someone like Toronto's Ken Zucker, who believes in trying to behaviourally condition kids out of being trans, and gets way too much attention for it.
Clip #1
Clip #2
Via Feministing. Their comment:
| Quote: | | Last week "The Dr. Oz Show" featured interviews with two transgender youth, their families, and a Doctor who works with young trans folks. The teaser and opening video package were typically sensationalistic. But the interviews were very different from previous daytime talk show segments about trans folks. Dr. Oz asked important questions without being overly invasive about anatomy or the details of surgery. His framing of questions also recognized the young people's genders as real and accurate and did not focus on the gender they were assigned at birth. This may sound like a very basic level of respect and accuracy, but it's pretty much unprecedented in a talk show segment about trans folks. |
The one concern I have about that show is that it identifies the kids (and the mother/parents, although not by last name) on camera, and while I think there is a great deal of value in encouraging openness, let's face it, it's still on the dangerous side to be publicly identified as trans (especially for women). Let's hope that by the time the little girl grows up things will have improved ... |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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NY State Senator Ruben Diaz Blocking Trans Rights
| Quote: | | As expected, this week the New York Assembly passed GENDA, a comprehensive transgender rights bill, for the third time. The bill is now mired in a state Senate committee staffed by the state's most notorious homophobe, Rev. Ruben Diaz. |
more @ link
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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pogovio
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 900
Location: New York state
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sparqui
Dog tired
Joined: 30 Apr 2006
Posts: 5152
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:21 am Post subject: |
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That article was both heartbreaking and tender. That comment from her friend, about Christine's coming out article making it possible for her to reconcile with her daughter was bittersweet. RIP Christine Daniels.
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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Mississauga high school balks at awareness day after students suggest trans speaker; students 'not ready' for trans guest claim administrators
| Quote: | For the past five years, students at Cawthra Park Secondary School in Mississauga have been encouraged to learn about social justice causes through Social Awareness Day, the highlight of which is a talk by a prominent activist.
But there will likely be no Social Awareness Day (SAD) at Cawthra this year — and organizers are accusing the school administration of scuttling the event rather than invite a transgender speaker to the school.
"My administration made the wrong decision by declining my speaker, and their reasoning has made it clear that it is because they are uncomfortable with her being trans," said Grade 12 student Andrew Randall, coordinator for SAD and a member on the Cawthra School Board.... |
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Raos
volatilis vir
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 5472
Location: Petropolis
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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| On the bright side, I'll bet the students there are now a lot less likely to think intolerance is a thing of the past and we're all equal and anybody claiming discrimination is just making excuses. |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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That is a "queer-friendly" high school?
Here's an article Nikki Stratigacos wrote for the University of Toronto Magazine. Think high school kids aren't ready for what she's saying? Particularly in a social justice context?
| Quote: | ... When I decided to transition at age 26, I felt pressured to abandon these stereotypically masculine pursuits – to become a “true” transsexual. I had to convince medical professionals that I was “really a girl inside” before they would open the door to hormone therapy, or permit body modifications through surgery. I felt pressured to be a “convincing” transsexual. Unfortunately, the medical community’s limited understanding of sexual identity relies on 1950s-era notions of gender roles.
... When I started researching transsexuality, I noticed that other stereotypes didn’t fit me either. According to Harry Benjamin, one of the 1950s-era pioneering figures in trans-specific medical care, those who are “true” transsexuals are exclusively attracted to men and don’t enjoy any form of sexual gratification. “True” transsexuals are very uncomfortable with their genitals, and require surgical intervention to alleviate their dysphoria.
... For me, the most difficult part of my transsexual identity is my gender expression. I’m drawn toward many stereotypically masculine activities – and that’s not merely a product of socialization. My parents let me pursue whatever activities interested me, regardless of gender stereotypes. By the standards of the 1950s and ’60s, my childhood activities clearly fit the “male” stereotype: sports, camping, math and science. Since then, much has changed, of course. Gender roles are less rigid and defined. However, the members of the medical community who decide whether a person is “truly” transsexual don’t seem ready to take into account more than 50 years of social progress. Doctors still make their decisions based on traditional gender expression. To some of them, I had too many “masculine” interests to be a typically “feminine” woman. Fortunately, I found more forward-thinking professionals who could help me through this process.
... That there is such a broad range of sexualities, gender identifications and personal expressions suggests that there’s nothing absolute about gender. The traditional models of what is “masculine” or “feminine” are less static than previously believed. But the real problem is that we’re taught, from a very early age, that men and women are opposite sexes. This doesn’t allow for any variation, and reinforces only the two extremes. For example: if men are large, then women must be small; if men are strong, then women must be weak. It’s obvious how wrong these statements are, yet that’s the assumption one must make when viewing people through a lens of opposition.
There are slight differences between the perfectly average male and the perfectly average female, to be sure. But the differences are much wider between individual men and women than they are between the averages. Our society accentuates those differences, reinforcing the narrow-minded view that there are only two sides to every story. It’s black or white, with no shades of grey; you’re either male or female, gay or straight, masculine or feminine – there’s no space for those who don’t easily fit into those boxes.
I say: To hell with that! These designations fall on a spectrum, with all sorts of variation and differences that are independent of each other. Everyone’s an individual, with their own sexuality, identity and expression. If you let society determine who you are, and how you should act, you’re perpetuating a stereotype. It takes real courage to stand up, deny the so-called status quo and be yourself. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy those things that do fit within your gender stereotypes, but you shouldn’t feel confined to them – if you want to enjoy something typical of the “opposite” sex, there’s no reason to let those stereotypes limit your opportunities.
I’m proud to be a transsexual, and, despite all the difficulties and problems I’ve faced, I feel incredibly privileged to be a member of such a unique group of people. We have a perspective that nobody else shares. Above all else, we realize that, no matter how the world expects us to act, we’re never happier than when we cast off those chains, and experience the true freedom of simply being ourselves.
Life is too short as it is – why spend all your time living up to everyone else’s expectations? |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
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| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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Bill Siksay's Private Member's Bill (Bill C-389) regarding including trans rights into Canadian human rights and Criminal Code legislation got a kick-start in the House this morning:
| Quote: | NDP MP Bill Siksay, the bill’s author, began debate by lamenting the fact that there were no openly trans people in Parliament, and therefore the debate would leave important things left unsaid, or that other issues would be said awkwardly for lack of personal experience. He also defined the terms “gender identity,” “gender expression,” and “transsexual,” so that the bill could be put into its proper context. He spoke at length about the need for the bill given that trans people are currently left without explicit human rights protections, that they faced increased violence and discrimination, and that the only jurisdiction in Canada with explicit protection for these kinds of protections was the Northwest Territories.
Siksay also outlined what are the common arguments against not proceeding, being the current problems that exist with the human rights frameworks in this country, and concerns about existing hate crimes legislation. Siksay also raised the “washroom debate” with regards to trans individuals, but said that this was largely a red herring, and that other jurisdictions that had protections for trans individuals hadn’t had any issues with washrooms and the fears of violations in those spaces by people pretending to be trans in order to enter them for illicit purposes. |
more @ link
From Friday: Siksay has a short sit-down with Xtra to discuss the bill.
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Hephaestion
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| Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Third time's the charm? Ontario trans rights bill reintroduced
| Quote: | Today — International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia — Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo plans to reintroduce her private member's bill to add gender identity to the province's Human Rights Code.
This is the third time DiNovo has introduced the bill. She first did so in 2007, but the bill failed when the Legislature rose for the provincial election later that year. DiNovo introduced the bill again in November 2009, but it died when the Liberal government prorogued in March 2010.
"It would be a clear message to landlords and employers that it's wrong to discriminate," said trans activist Susan Gapka in November. "It would be a very clear indication that state and society says, 'welcome, you are included.'"
A similar piece of legislation is being debated at the federal level. Opposition MPs spoke in favour of NDP MP Bill Siksay's C-389 last week in the Commons, but two Conservative MPs said they had concerns about the "vagueness" of the terms "gender identity" and "gender expression." |
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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| Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately, there is probably not time for DiNovo's bill to get through the legislative process unless it gets adopted by the Cabinet as a government bill. The legislature is going to rise for elections again in May or June of next year, so there is only a year for this bill to make it through. I really hope it does, but private members bills usually take at least 18 months to get through even if there is majority support for them.
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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The US State Department has announced that people will no longer be required to have gender reassignment surgery to change their passports.
Bravo! That's actually well ahead of any Canadian jurisdiction, as far as I know.
| Quote: | ... The policy, which goes into effect Thursday, allows a gender change with a certification from an attending physician.
The doctor's certification must confirm only that the passport applicant has undergone treatment for gender transition. Limited-validity passports for applicants who are in the process of gender transition also will be available under the policy. |
CNN. |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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Another good piece of news, Bill Siksay's private member's bill has passed second reading and is off to committee. I know these steps are largely procedural, but this is the farthest the bill has gotten so far. Maybe, just maybe, it will finally get to the floor for a proper debate and *gasp* pass.
| Quote: | A private member’s bill seeking human-rights protection for transgender and transsexual Canadians passed second reading in the House of Commons on June 8.
The third time might be the charm for Bill Siksay, the NDP MP for Burnaby-Douglas, who has tabled similar bills twice before, none of which have made it this far in the legislative process.
... Siksay, the NDP’s critic for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues, said there wasn’t any “outright” opposition to the bill, which was supported by Liberal, NDP, and Bloc Québécois MPs.
... According to Siksay, the Conservatives believe the bill is redundant and that trans people are already protected under the grounds of sex and disability in the Canadian Human Rights Act. However, he believes this protection needs to be very explicit in the law.
... Another apprehension raised by the Conservatives is that gender identity and expression aren’t defined in the legislation. Siksay noted that the human rights act has never defined the various grounds of discrimination.
... The bill will now be considered by the Commons standing committee on justice and human rights. |
Georgia Straight.
Um, I can see arguing that transgender may be covered by legislation against discrimination on the basis of sex, but disability? Really? Piss off, Conservatives. |
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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T, the main debate is actually at second reading. After committee there is report stage and third reading, but the primary debate is at second reading, so there has been a real debate.
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, TS - good to know!
Another happy story - A trans woman has won her wrongful dismissal case against the Georgia General Assembly.
| Quote: | ... In a ruling issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Richard Story ruled [Vandy Beth] Glenn was subjected to sex discrimination. The judge also scheduled a July 13 hearing to determine what remedy should be granted to Glenn.
Glenn, who was born Glenn Morrison, was hired to work as editor of the state Office of Legislative Counsel in October 2005. Beginning the following year, she told supervisors she was transgender and was going to transition into becoming a woman. She was ultimately fired about two years later by state Legislative Counsel Sewell Brumby, who is the only remaining defendant in her lawsuit.
Story, in a 50-page ruling, dismissed concerns that legislative leaders would lose confidence in the Office of Legislative Counsel if Glenn remained employed there. "[A]voiding the anticipated negative reactions of others cannot serve as a sufficient basis for discrimination and does not constitute an important government interest," Story wrote. |
Bravo. |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:30 am Post subject: |
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Amazing! Fantastic! Well done, Bill Siksay, well done MPs, they've passed his private member's bill providing human rights protection on the basis of gender identity.
And that's a major, major accomplishment.
However, I was just watching CTV news and they seemed almost gleefully confident that the Harper-dominated Senate would kill the bill. Just what we want, unelected Senators taking away human rights. The CTV report was disgusting overall, too, consisting primarily of soundbites from the religious right getting all emotional about their daughters going to the bathroom with scary people. The usual loathsome attempt to associate transgenders with pedophiles.
They did interview Enza but the reporter couldn't resist a snide "she is a he" comment. Piss off, CTV.
Anyway, let's hope the bill stays alive through Senate. Getting it through the House is a major, fantastic accomplishment.
| Quote: | An NDP private member's bill to protect transgender people from discrimination was passed by the House of Commons, but could face a roadblock in the Conservative dominated Senate.
The bill — C-389 — seeks to add protection to Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code for those who've changed gender or are in transition.
It was introduced by British Columbia New Democrat MP Bill Siksay and has faced a storm of criticism from lobby groups such as REAL Women and Campaign Life Coalition.
Both groups argue it will protect sexual predators — something that Siksay dismisses as ridiculous and alarmist.
He says criminal behaviour will still be prosecuted.
The vote Wednesday pretty much split along party lines with the Conservative government voting against, but MPs from the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and the NDP supporting it. |
CBC. |
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sparqui
Dog tired
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Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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Yay, Bill! 
Piss off CTV and an anticipatory FU to the Conservative stacked Senate.
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome news! The Conservatives had better get out of the way in the Senate.
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson |
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The Evil Twin
Stoned Immaculate
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Location: Toronto
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| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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| TS. wrote: | | Awesome news! The Conservatives had better get out of the way in the Senate. |
I hope so too, but I'm not optimistic. If they don't, it'll just expose Harper as a hypocrite, considering his earlier comments on the unelected Senate. However the Harpocons don't seem to care about hypocrisy when it comes to the Senate, floor crossing, fixed election dates, running huge deficits...etc. 
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I can't support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day. - Assclown Rob Ford |
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Raos
volatilis vir
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| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Which would be one thing, but apparently neither does a plurality of Canadians. That's the part that I find more unfortunate. |
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The Evil Twin
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| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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Agreed Raos.
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I can't support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day. - Assclown Rob Ford |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:38 am Post subject: |
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I'm not crazy about any group voting on whether or not to extend rights to a minority, and I'm particularly uncrazy about an unelected, appointed, largely chair-warming, definitely overpaid and far too partisan group voting on whether or not to extend rights to a minority. Frankly, any senator with integrity should acknowledge that that is not in the remotest sense their role.
This isn't really the thread to debate the senate, but while I appreciate the value of having a bicameral system, what we have ain't what we should have.
If trans rights get scuttled because of the Mike Duffys and his ilk I'm going to be seriously pissed. |
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sparqui
Dog tired
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 4:30 am Post subject: |
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Wasn't it the newly minted majority Conservative Senate that scuttled that private member's bill re: more regulatory oversight on mining operations globally. If I recall, they didn't even bother holding hearings or reading the bill - just went straight to voting and defeating it.
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Tehanu
More or less, more or less
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17637
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:24 am Post subject: |
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Siksay's bill died in Senate. Dammit. And it's needed. For example, a Catholic school board in Alberta up and fired a transgender teacher. Would a Catholic school board be covered by the human rights law, since they are (ack) publicly funded?
Although after a fight, at least the school board has offered a settlement. With a nice sting in its tail: the teacher isn't allowed to talk about how he was discriminated against.
| Quote: | A transgendered teacher fired by a Catholic school district is rejecting a settlement offer because it would require him to keep quiet and drop a human rights complaint.
Jan Buterman says he will proceed with his complaint against Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools, which wrote him a letter in 2008 praising his abilities but dismissing him for not being aligned with the values of the Catholic Church.
Buterman, who was a substitute teacher in St. Albert, just north of Edmonton, says the publicly funded school district can’t buy his silence with an offer of $78,000 cash or a one-year teaching job.
“I don’t want to be muzzled,” says Buterman, who has worked as a teacher elsewhere since he was fired. “They don’t want me to talk about the fact that they, as an employer, claiming authority from the Catholic Church, have discriminated against me because of my medical status as a transsexual person.”
... David Keohane, superintendent of the Catholic school district, says the board has been working with the human rights commission to try to ensure the offer is seen as fair and reasonable.
... The Alberta Teachers’ Association also appears to think so. The union has decided it will no longer pay for Buterman’s lawyers, who have called the cash offer “substantial” and advised him that it’s more than most employers would offer a short-term employee. They have also suggested that rejecting the settlement because of its confidentiality clause could make Buterman look bad.
... Buterman says he has a right to speak out about the discrimination he faced.
“People like us have all experienced job harassment, job discrimination, job loss — it is a common theme in the community,” he says. “The only difference between me and everyone else is that I got mine in writing. I have no interest in pretending it didn’t happen.” |
Toronto Star. |
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Cartman
Beyond cuddly
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 8635
Location: OMG! They killed Jason Kenney!
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Gotta love the appointed Senate. A place where unelected old losers can destroy useful legislation for a shitload of money. If Jack ever managed to eliminate the Senate, I would sign a contract dedicating a portion of my earnings to the NDP for life. |
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sparqui
Dog tired
Joined: 30 Apr 2006
Posts: 5152
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:26 am Post subject: |
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Sadly, I'm not surprised given how stacked Harper made the Senate. At least in the past, there was some semblance of responsibility - where committees would actually do a line-by-line legislative review and listen to witnesses. What has happened in the last few months has been a total farce.
Bill Siksay more than deserved to have this imprint on federal government. He fought so hard and effectively to get it passed by the House. It's a real shame.
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pogovio
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 900
Location: New York state
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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The Reluctant Transgender Role Model
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/fashion/08CHAZ.html?pagewanted=al...
| Quote: | AT the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, I wheedled a ticket to “Becoming Chaz,” a documentary about the sex change of Chastity Bono.
...
Chaz: “I’m constantly shocked by how friendly and cool straight men are to each other. ‘Hey, buddy, how’s it going?’ I expected to feel better and happier, but I really underestimated the impact my transition would have. I didn’t realize that life could be this easy, that I could ever feel this comfortable. It was unimaginable.”
...
“Cher is very real in this film,” Mr. Barbato said. “She’s not editing herself. She’s processing this majorly traumatic thing for any mother: She’s struggling with the fact that her daughter has turned into a man.”
... |
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thank god i'm an atheist |
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pogovio
Fulltime enMasse Member
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Posts: 900
Location: New York state
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pogovio
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 900
Location: New York state
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| Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:09 am Post subject: |
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Led by the child who simply knew
The twin boys were identical in every way but one. Wyatt was a girl to the core, and now lives as one, with the help of a brave, loving family and a path-breaking doctor’s care.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/family/articles/2011/12/11/led_by_t...
| Quote: | “Dad, you might as well face it,’’ Wayne recalls Jonas saying. “You have a son and a daughter.’’
That early declaration marked, as much as any one moment could, the beginning of a journey that few have taken, one the Maineses themselves couldn’t have imagined until it was theirs. The process of remaking a family of identical twin boys into a family with one boy and one girl has been heartbreaking and harrowing and, in the end, inspiring - a lesson in the courage of a child, a child who led them, and in the transformational power of love. |
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Tehanu
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Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17637
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:37 am Post subject: |
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Well, Agentina has surged ahead of us an everybody else by extending rights to transgender citizens that go beyond what's available elsewhere. Including fully-funded medical care, but also very importantly, allowing trans citizens to change their ID without having to jump through a lot of medical/psychological gatekeeping.
I've never really gotten what the big deal is about gender on ID, anyway. People can change their names by the simple expedient of getting married (in most countries, straight people, anyway) and name changes outside of that aren't hideously difficult. So why the enormous attachment to gender? I suspect most people haven't really thought of it and for those who do and say no, no, no, maybe there's a wee whiff of gender enforcement and/or transphobia involved?
| Quote: | Adults who want sex-change surgery or hormone therapy in Argentina will be able to get it as part of their public or private health care plans under a gender rights law approved Wednesday.
The measure also gives people the right to specify how their gender is listed at the civil registry when their physical characteristics don’t match how they see themselves.
... Any adult will now be able to officially change his or her gender, image and birth name without having to get approval from doctors or judges — and without having to undergo physical changes beforehand, as many U.S. jurisdictions require.
... When Argentines want to change their bodies, health care companies will have to provide them with surgery or hormone therapy on demand. Such treatments will be included in the “Obligatory Medical Plan,” which means both private and public providers will not be able to charge extra for the services.
... Children also get a voice under the law: Youths under 18 who want to change their genders gain the right to do so with the approval of their legal guardians. But if parents or guardians want a gender identity change and don’t have the child’s consent, then a judge must intervene to ensure the child’s rights are protected. |
Washington Post. |
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The Evil Twin
Stoned Immaculate
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 3746
Location: Toronto
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| Tehanu wrote: | | So why the enormous attachment to gender? I suspect most people haven't really thought of it and for those who do and say no, no, no, maybe there's a wee whiff of gender enforcement and/or transphobia involved? |
Absolutely no doubt that these are the two main reasons for the bigotry.
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I can't support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day. - Assclown Rob Ford |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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I heard this news in the car and started doing a stationary happy dance while shouting YES! But at least I wasn't texting.
Ontario includes gender identity and gender expression in the Human Rights Code.
Just in time for Pride Toronto! 
| Quote: | Transgendered people in Ontario will soon have the same protections under the Human Rights Code as everyone else.
Members of all three parties [my bold] voted to amend the code to add the terms “gender identity” and “gender expression” to prevent discrimination against transgendered people.
New Democrat Cheri DiNovo failed to amend the code with three previous private member’s bills, and called today’s vote historic.
... Ontario is the first major jurisdiction in North America[after the NWT] to provide human rights protections for transgendered people. |
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sparqui
Dog tired
Joined: 30 Apr 2006
Posts: 5152
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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“If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a tractor.”
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Bravo, Ontario, and it's about time. Now trans folks can change their gender on their birth certificates (and presumably stemming from that their other ID) without surgery. Actually, bravo Ontario Human Rights Commission, who had to push the government to do this.
| Quote: | Ontario has become the first jurisdiction in Canada to allow transgendered people to change the gender on their birth certificates without sex-change surgery.
... The new rules, published this week, mean a transgendered person can apply to ServiceOntario for a new birth certificate with only a letter from a physician for [or?] psychologist.
Previously, the Vital Statistics Act required proof of “transsexual surgery.”
Ontario was acting on a ruling in April from the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
The commission acted on a complaint brought by a transgendered woman known as XY who argued she was exposed to discrimination and violence because the gender she lived with didn’t match her documents.
... The government had argued to the commission that other documents, such as a driver’s licence, could already by changed by transgendered people and were better identity documents. Birth records were also important data for statistical data, medical research and in decisions about federal-provincial transfer payments.
The transgendered woman’s lawyer argued birth certificates were the basis for many other important documents, such as passports. |
Toronto Star. |
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The Evil Twin
Stoned Immaculate
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 3746
Location: Toronto
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:55 am Post subject: |
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| Tehanu wrote: | Bravo, Ontario, and it's about time. Now trans folks can change their gender on their birth certificates (and presumably stemming from that their other ID) without surgery. Actually, bravo Ontario Human Rights Commission, who had to push the government to do this.
|
Yup, fully agree that it was the OHRC that deserves all the praise. McGuinty would never have acted otherwise because he is another spineless Liberal, much like Paul Martin and Chretien (who had to be pushed by the courts for years before agreeing to SSM). 
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I can't support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day. - Assclown Rob Ford |
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Tehanu
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| Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:31 am Post subject: |
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I give credit to 16 Conservatives who have just done the right thing. The NDP's transgender rights bill has just passed the House of Commons!
I didn't even realize it was up for a vote.
Bravo to the NDP, bravo to the Liberals, and bravo to the 16 Tories. Credit where it is due. I'm delighted. Although sadly they did take gender expression out (people were complaining about lack of clarity, dontcha know).
Note that Harper voted against it. And that Rob Anders has proven once again with his "bathroom bill" antics that there's no question what toilet he should use, given what a prick he is.
| Quote: | A bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender Canadians was approved by the House of Commons today.
The Opposition private member's legislation passed Wednesday by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 16 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.
... Baird, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt and Heritage Minister James Moore were among the Conservatives who supported the bill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, most of his front bench and the vast majority of his backbenchers opposed it.
Opposition parties were united in their support for the bill, sponsored by New Democrat Randall Garrison.
... After passing at second reading — with the support of 15 Tories and another nine abstaining — the bill's momentum seemed to falter as some Conservatives began to express reservations about its impact and effectiveness.
... Shortly before Wednesday's vote, Calgary MP Rob Anders tabled a petition "on behalf of thousands" of Canadians opposed to what he called "the bathroom bill."
"These constituents feel that it is the duty of the House of Commons to protect and safeguard our children from any exposure and harm that would come from giving a man access to women's public washroom facilities," Anders said. |
CBC. |
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Slumberjack
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Posts: 918
Location: squelch~~big waves and high smiles from the stomach and intestine of capital.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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I'm inclined to believe that the contemporary, if limited zeitgeist with respect to LGBTQIA issues, partially the effect of the relentless call from the oppressed for their rights to be acknowledged, and partially to do with the exigencies of the market to treat all consumers more or less equally if the cost of doing business allows for it, has more to do with improvements of this nature than those miserable slugs, aga politicians, crawling out on a limb to advance social justice for communities at risk.
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There is this old notion, Bolshevik, a little frigid for sure; the building of the Party. I think that our present war is about giving new content to this depopulated fiction. |
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Cartman
Beyond cuddly
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 8635
Location: OMG! They killed Jason Kenney!
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| Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:59 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | And that Rob Anders has proven once again with his "bathroom bill" antics that there's no question what toilet he should use, given what a prick he is. |
Now where will poor Robbie go tinkle? With all of these people using bathrooms for sexual purposes (i.e. Republicans), what will he do? When these right wingers see sex everywhere in everything, it really makes you wonder how much they obsess about sex. |
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