In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gunner Scott, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition who has been involved with the transgender rights movement since 1998. He's a nationally recognized activist and was one of the attendees at Obama’s 2010 LGBT Event at the White House.
When asked what President Obama had to say to our LGBT community, Gunner stated, “He talked about the work that still needs to be done. He talked about policy changes that his administration has made, particularly around some of those policy changes around (LGBT) people being able to visit their partners in the hospital if they get Medicaid funding and that’s pretty important. He talked about the experiences of some of the (LGBT) people in the audience and meeting with young people beforehand and what they’re going through and that we need to do this work together. His message was pretty positive and upbeat but also very serious. He said he wants to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and pass a trans-included Employment Nondiscrimination Act. (ENDA) You know I think he walked into a job that was pretty difficult and there have been a lot of changes that have happened in his administration from the start.”
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition called on the leadership of the Massachusetts State legislature to act favorably on H1728/S1687, “An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes” before the end of the current session on July 31st, 2010. “This bill is for fair and basic treatment of transgender youth and adults,” said Scott. “This bill is about human rights and dignity for those who are contributing to society or trying to, including paying taxes, but are often being denied access, opportunity, and justice.” Over eighty organizational members of the Transgender Civil Rights Coalition, including labor unions, LGBT groups, women’s groups and advocacy groups all called on the legislative body to pass this bill.
UPDATE: The Trans Civil Rights Bill – did not make it to the floor for a vote this session.
For More Info: masstpc.org
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Billie Jean King:
ReplyDeleteEveryone has people in their lives that are gay, lesbian or transgender or bisexual.
They may not want to admit it, but I guarantee they know somebody.
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