tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2612946722366528344.post6734898095533987395..comments2023-11-03T09:59:39.020-05:00Comments on Trans Political: Equality Isn't (If You're Trans)Vanessa E. Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04301512822816441705noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2612946722366528344.post-37707190792008352722009-03-23T23:52:00.000-05:002009-03-23T23:52:00.000-05:00Thank you for the clarification on LGRL, Toni. Ap...Thank you for the clarification on LGRL, Toni. Apparently I presumed it was not part of the federation as the switch to the "Equality" name also coincided with the immediate voting off of Randall Ellis. I figure it was a new group/alignment, understandable that they sometimes clean house and start fresh. Hmm....<BR/><BR/>Is the federation survey online? I'll have to look for it. Indeed you're correct inasmuch as what I've seen from Equality Maryland. Kate Runyon seemed very concerned and energetic, and maybe this will get done this year. We apologize for de-prioritizing marriage for a bit in order to catch trans equality up to GLB equality, and are happy that we might see employment and hate crimes parity soon in some of these states.<BR/><BR/>One thing I noted with interest was, at least for the designated trans equality task, Equality Maryland is hiring a trans person specifically. That's an excellent breach of the barrier. Are other states doing likewise -- bringing in some of the unemployed trans activists in their positions in those states? <BR/><BR/>I'm sorry this blog was a bit harsh. Hopefully it will accomplish what was intended, even if I'm still skeptical and geared up for a very long war (as it has been already). Some of these other states are coming back for what was left off (trans) earlier, but we're going to ride herd on our own here. Back four or five years ago, I used to do the "process" for "political consideration" thing, held my tongue, remained decorous. All I ended up with was being played for the fool, and even discredited without speaking out. Now, it's a matter of recognizing I've already paid the price for it -- there's absolutely no reason to remain silent any longer.Vanessa E. Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04301512822816441705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2612946722366528344.post-91446466418743464952009-03-22T23:23:00.000-05:002009-03-22T23:23:00.000-05:00I would like to clarify the information about Equa...I would like to clarify the information about Equality Federation.<BR/><BR/>Equality Federation never "absorbed" Equality Texas. The Federation is a national alliance of independent state LGBT advocacy organizations -- in fact, we were created by state groups to serve state groups. Equality Texas is one of our member groups -- but it was also a member when it was known as LGRL (Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby) and when it was led by Randall Ellis. Randall was actually on the Federation Board of Directors before leaving LGRL.<BR/><BR/>I can't comment about details of the legislative work on transgender issues (or any issues) in Texas as I don't have personal knowledge of legislative strategies there. <BR/><BR/>I do have one piece of information that might interest readers, however. In the Federation's annual survey of state equality groups, transgender equality actually was cited as the number one legislative priority in 2009 for a majority of state groups. <BR/><BR/>No one will argue that we have a lot of work to do on this issue. Of course, in Texas and many other states, there's a lot of work to do across the board. Please don't give up! We will get there, and we need to work together to do it.<BR/><BR/>Toni Broaddus<BR/>Executive Director<BR/>Equality FederationAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14207636896230186566noreply@blogger.com