Legalize Transgender

Over the past few decades gay populations worldwide have witnessed increased support and civil protections. For example, just this past year, the Supreme Court Struck down DOMA and Californians overturned Proposition 8. This trend will most likely continue as more and more U.S. states legalize same sex marriage. Some countries, such as Russia and Nigeria, are standing on the wrong side of history via bans on gay propaganda and the criminalization of homosexual activity, but they are definitely the exception to the rule.

I only mention "gay populations" because another fight is taking place that isn't garnering as much attention. This kind of fight differs from sexual liberation, rather, it deals with liberation along a gender spectrum. LGBTQ stands for "Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer". Many argue that the "T" should be separated due to the fact that it has nothing to do with sexuality. The specific definition of transgender is "denoting or relating to a person whose self identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender." Transgenders face a constant uphill battle to be accepted by society and accepted in the workplace. Studies have shown that transgender people face disproportionate amounts of discrimination in all areas of life, especially in employment and healthcare. The economic well being of transgender people is being challenged today like never before.

Moreover, current federal government policies hinder transgender people from pursuing federal government jobs. A transgender person can be passed over for hire or can be fired solely based on the fact that he or she is transgender. It is also tremendously difficult for transgenders to update their employment records, identification badges, or get coverage for medically necessary health care. On other fronts, the number one medial issue facing transgenders is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Transgender youth are disproportionately bullied and consequently have high rates of suicide. Young,  low-income transgender women of color are confronted with the highest levels of unconscionable hate crime.

So what can be done to fix this epidemic of hate? Government policies aren't a quick fix to societal discrimination, but they surely give the transgender population more opportunities to live healthier an d easier lives. Here are some bullet points I put together (courtesy of the National Center for Transgender Equality):

• Comprehensive Civil Rights.  Congress should pass a comprehensive civil rights bill that protects people from discrimination based on gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation in regards to public accommodations, housing, credit, education, and federally-funded programs.
• Government-wide Job Protection. The President should issue an Executive Order to clarify that discrimination against federal civilian employees on the basis of gender identity or expression is prohibited, similar to Executive Order 11478, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
• Need for Census Data. The U.S Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census should include in its data collection standards information counting and including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Bureau should investigate how to study transgender people in various government surveys, including the 2020 decennial census.
• National AIDS Strategy.  The federal government should create and implement a comprehensive and coordinated national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes provisions that address the impact of HIV/AIDS on transgender populations.
• Aid for Homeless Youth. The Department of Housing and Urban Development should recognize unaccompanied homeless youth as a distinct special needs population, including LGBT homeless youth, and should create a long-term Youth Housing Strategy that is inclusive of the distinct circumstances of LGBT homeless youth.
• Safe Schools Improvement Act. Congress should pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act to include bullying and harassment prevention programs. These programs should include specific information about bullying and harassment that targets students because of their gender identity or expression.
• Federal Hate Crimes Prevention. Congress should pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA).