gdp's Comments

TransGriot : Conservative Party Senators Mess With C-279 In Committee

Sat, 28 Feb 2015 23:28:16 +0000

A few corrections: The Conservative Senator's name is Don Plett, and REAL Women of Canada are not a TERF group, but rather anti-feminist religious conservatives like the Eagle Forum under Phyllis Schlafly (the name dates back to 1971, and is a reaction to feminism, not to the trans* movement). Nancy Ruth's role is a bit more complex than that. Her primary stated objective was to ensure that the category of sex was added to the protected clauses in hate crimes portions of the Criminal Code of Canada. It was always a very weird and serious omission in our legislation, and ended up being fixed this year in another piece of legislation. That said, there are rumours that Ruth is from the trans-exclusionary branch of feminism, going back to the days when donors to Egale told the group they explicitly didn't want their money going toward trans* causes. I've never seen evidence to prove or disprove that, so it has to be considered hearsay, but it persists nonetheless. Did she have a negative influence on the bill? I don't know. Exactly what path the bill takes now is still being discussed. But at least the rift that happened when gender expression was removed from the bill is over.

TransGriot : Future Trans*

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:05:01 +0000

Blogger apparently won't accept a comment this long, so I have to post my thoughts here instead: https://dentedbluemercedes.wordpress.com/2014/10/... Sorry. I will be watching for a replies here too, though.

TransGriot : What's The Latest News About Canada's C-279?

Fri, 3 Oct 2014 18:28:56 +0000

There is considerable pressure being put to the committee (the makeup of which has changed considerably from when the original testimony was heard) to replace the (unnecessary) Yogyakarta definition of "gender identity" with a much narrower one. The one Conservatives are pushing for thus far would limit protections to post-operative persons (which more or less means that protections will be limited to people who will no longer really need them). There has also been talk about amendments to address washrooms / public accommodations and to address sports, but for the moment, there are no specific amendments put forward and no text on record. The next committee hearing will be on Thursday Oct. 9th, and more on Tuesdays and Thursdays following. It remains to be seen if there are enough votes on the committee to pass any amendments. In either case, if the bill is amended at all, it will have to return to the House for approval, which will almost certainly mean a long enough delay for the bill to die when the election is called. The danger with that, though, is that if the Committee amends the bill, any changes will be expected in a subsequent bill, and if they're not present, conservatives will make an enormous fight about it. Watch this space for schedule and webcast links: http://www.parl.gc.ca/sencommitteebusiness/AllMee...

TransGriot : Gay, Inc Needs A Trans Rooney Rule

Fri, 3 Jan 2014 20:18:21 +0000

I doubt that this alone would change anything. I do recognize that there are many groups that try more honestly for trans inclusion and do well at it -- almost always at the grassroots level. But once you get to the level of GayInc., I get a lot more skeptical. In my experience, when they do try to be trans-inclusive, large LGB(t) organizations simply look for someone who will shut up, acceptably fit lookist expectations (either trans male or pretty, usually white -- still trying to fit the non-threatening "we're just like you" narrative), and toe whatever they've already decided the party line should be. Meanwhile, they still brand anyone with an opinion as an outsider and a troublemaker. And once in awhile they will find someone who has some strength and opinion and will persist on despite being fed breadcrumbs for opportunities, in hope of eventually breaking that pattern, but I've only ever found that to be a waste of time and energy. As is railing against GayInc. I still believe that trans acceptance will come neither with nor against GayInc, but *regardless* of it. And this is from someone who has seen / encountered / occasionally interacted with such a group post-marriage.

TransGriot : Where In The World Can I Go With My US Passport As A Trans Person?

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 01:52:11 +0000

If you do decide to do the north-of-the-border trip, A & I would be happy to show you some of the sights, if you have the time: the badlands, Kananaskis... southern Alberta has some unforgettable countryside....

Womanist Musings : Down time

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:44:49 +0000

Take care, and wishing you a smooth recovery.

TransGriot : Claude 'Rick' Roberts, Jr 1941-2013

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:41:57 +0000

I'm so sorry to hear this. I lost my dad a little over a year ago, and can relate. If you feel like you need some support, help, an ear, etc, don't hesitate to ask.

TransGriot : http://transgriot.blogspot.ca/2012/07/another-unexpected-honor.html

Wed, 4 Jul 2012 01:22:18 +0000

Very excellent. Congratulations on a well-deserved honour.

TransGriot : Manitoba Human Rights Code Expanding To Cover Trans People

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:18:54 +0000

The reports I've seen so far don't indicate that gender expression was included in any way. This could be just reportage, but will need to be looked at further.

TransGriot : Unjust Trans Rights Bill Advancing In Massachusetts?

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:09:40 +0000

Worse, it creates a precedent for legislation elsewhere, and creates the impression that there must have been just cause for the omission.

TransGriot : When Is A Hate Crime NOT A Hate Crime?

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:59:16 +0000

I've been finding something curious out about Canada's hate crimes legislation. I probably should have noticed this sooner, but that clause in the Criminal Code of Canada does not actually allow violence based on discrimination to be labelled as a hate crime (although it can be given consideration during sentencing) -- only the incitement of violence. So in that twisted and purely semantic sense, the Halifax PD are actually correct. As bizarre as that may be. It's a bit premature to speculate on details, but it's been becoming apparent to me that the biggest concern that the Harper Conservatives had about Bill C-389 was that because of the likelihood of an amendment at Senate level (or even by likely read-in ability without an amendment), sex / gender would end up included in hate crimes legislation -- and there is something that this government finds catastrophically dangerous about that. I'll be following up on this when I have something more tangible to point to. :)

TransGriot : Cool! 'Cars 2' Coming

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:56:03 +0000

Hm. I may have to watch the first one. (I love all the other Pixar movies, but never saw Cars.)

TransGriot : Canadian Election 2011 Update 5-Election Night Simulcast Coverage on C-SPAN2

Tue, 3 May 2011 17:32:02 +0000

Dismal, I'm afraid. The newspapers are trumpeting about how the Conservatives and NDP both won, but I think it's more like we all lost.

TransGriot : Canadian Election 2011 Update 2-The Leaders Debate

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:36:31 +0000

In case readers are interested, the NDP has explicitly included trans rights in their election platform, and previously included it in their policies nationally (as well as in several provinces at the provincial level). Their policy inclusions also have support for trans health, including GRS funding. The Green Party has previously done the same, although I didn't see mention of it in this year's platform. The Liberals have yet to do so, even though a vast majority of them supported C-389. So trans folks have at least one candidate to support, and anywhere up to three. Canadians: keep asking those candidates for their support. :)

Womanist Musings : What is the future of social justice blogging?

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:05:33 +0000

Personally, blogging is at the same time one of the most enjoyable things I do, and one of the most exasperating. Depending on what I'm doing, it can be particularly unproductive (if I'm ranting, pontificating etc), or most productive (if I'm able to help rally people that I wouldn't otherwise have contact with, and provide updates, such as re: Bill C-389). I could easily disappear without trace (and inevitably, someday I will, whether I want to or not), and blogging is probably the most expendable thing I do, but the idea... the idea is what survives, thrives and perpetuates, and I've come to strongly believe in the long-term value of many voices. Plural. So I've been starting to see blogging as "feeds" for something larger. A group blog might be the kind of nexus that's needed, or something that combines that with a community framework. A hint of Facebook (with an application process?), a dash of HuffPo, a touch of RSS, maybe some Wiki approach to editing / moderation, and a sprinkle of Rabble, perhaps. It would take someone time, dedication and energy to build it, though, and they'd deserve something for their contribution, so it would probably never be completely corporate-free.

TransGriot : The Drive For 155

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 02:42:44 +0000

A pretty good breakdown. It should probably be noted that the Liberals are more of a centrist party, although they mostly supported Bill C-389 and are usually good on social issues. The New Democratic Party (NDP) have become a bit more like the Democrats in recent years, but are more socialist, pioneering our public health care system, etc. The Liberals and NDP tend to split the centre-left vote, which is why it becomes a challenge to defeat Conservatives. The Bloc Quebecois are also centre-left, but run candidates only in Quebec, a key province for any party wanting to govern. The BQ were formed out of the provincial Parti Quebecois, from the separatist movement in Quebec. Their purpose is to uniquely represent Quebec interests at the federal level, regardless of whether seperation occurs, although still leaning toward separatism. The current Conservatives were born out of the far right-wing Reform movement born here in Alberta, and when the Progressive Conservatives (once centre-right) were decimated after the scandals and outrages of the Mulroney government, Reform was able to swallow them up and (symbolically, I suppose) drop the "progressive." Just to give a bit more insight into the dynamics at play.

The Sheaf : Excuse me, which way to the men's room?

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:21:37 +0000

First of all, Bill C-389 says nothing about washrooms, and does not change what is legal in them. I am a transsexual woman who has used the ladies' washroom without problems for years, and it has never been illegal for me to do so. This sudden recategorization of me by opponents of C-389 as a "man" using the ladies washroom is inexplicable, angering and grossly underinformed. I realize that the author is trying to be more balanced and reasonable than that in examining the issue, and part of the problem is that through all the discussion so far, the main voices we've heard are Charles McVety's and politicians. Trans people have been completely erased from this discussion, and it's not because of an unwillingness to speak on record. Trans people are no more predatory than any other segment of the population. Legislation that protects transgender people already exists in over 130 jurisdictions in North America, as recorded by the Transgender Law and Policy Institute at http://www.transgenderlaw.org/ndlaws/index.htm#ju... (some going as far back as 1975) -- and no such epidemic of attacks has ever taken place. The trans sexual predator myth exists because people assume that we transition for a sexual kick. In fact, we do so in order to finally be at peace with ourselves, after trying to change our minds to fit our bodies (sometimes trying for decades) has failed. In some cases, where male-to-female hormone therapy is concerned, HRT would be entirely self-defeating, if that were the case. Instead, transition has a very high success and satisfaction rate. The medical community understands this, and this is why transition is the recognized method of treatment. Trans protections also do not typically encourage real predators to pose as trans people in order to access washrooms. Why risk drawing attention to oneself when traveling in public in order to access a facility that they can just wait until they're unobserved and walk into anyway? Again, see the link above: it doesn't happen. This is an employment, housing, access and protection from violence bill. Trans people need to be able to work, find a home, access medical treatment, access public services and not be beaten or killed simply because they're trans. Some of these protections exist due to being read in, in the courts, but they're applied inconsistently, are vulnerable to a potential reversal of precedent. Too, without a signal by inclusion in the Canada Human Rights Act, employers and agencies have largely not bothered to develop workable policies to accommodate trans people in a way that is mutually equitable.

TransGriot : Tired Of The 'Bathroom Bill' BS

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 03:05:44 +0000

I've come to believe (and it's been more effective than not when I've done this directly with someone) that the solution to the "bathroom bill" crap is to turn it right back on them. It takes a few moments to demonstrate how ridiculous the fear is, and then bring the discussion to the fact that rights are neceesary exactly because this irrational and obviously uninformed bias persists... and is so openly stated and pervasive that discrimination becomes not only likely, it's inevitable. You'll never change the haters, but you can reach everyone else. And if you turn this crap back on the people who disseminate it often enough and effectively enough, they eventually stop wanting to resort to it.

TransGriot : Transsexuality Is A Medical Condition, Not A Community Identifier

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:49:01 +0000

I would tend to agree, but the opposition to our very existence tends to necessitate being political, and when things are political, we need banners to unite under. Personally, I believe I can be myself and still be a part of a transsexual community without being immersed in it 24/7; be transsexual and still have a place under an umbrella term at times, without being erased or compromised by standing with people who are in many ways different from me but still facing similar attitudes and some (outside mostly medical) similar issues.

RENWL : Autumn Sandeen: Transgender Leader Or Get Equal's Auntie Tomasina?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:45:17 +0000

Seriously? We're repeatedly accused by LGB people of being selfish because we're said to be not involved in LGB-specific activism (the truth is probably that we're not always "visibly trans" when doing so), and that's used to justify ditching trans-specific concerns, and then when people do get involved in LGB-specific activism we dump them overboard? Seriously? Autumn was acting in a capacity of mutual need, mutual awareness and a mutual goal of eventual equality for all of us, which means sometimes getting involved in issues that don't directly benefit you. Not to mention that she, and Dyss and others from GetEqual were (and will be, I'm sure) in fact also visibly pushing for ENDA (weren't you paying attention?), also calling for equal marriage (which does benefit us all)... I'm not able to play the interview at this time, but is part of the reason she doesn't mention it at the end because the interviewer didn't go there or that's how he or she edited the vid?