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November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance

"Okay", you are thinking, "Big Deal.  Seems like every whacko fringe group has one of these.  Bring me another brew will ya?"

There may be some truth to this of course but only someone without a conscience can truly ignore the death and violence committed against another human being or worse; a group.  The operative words here are Human Being.  If you are of such a mind please send me your name and address; I want to avoid sociopaths at all cost.

Transpeople are discriminated against everyday in every society and culture around the globe.  Some of these are less tolerant than others, in fact being trans in some societies can mean a death sentence.  Even international travel for a fully transitioned person can result in arrest and detention.  It pays to investigate first.

Pride celebrations around the globe are just that; celebration of diversity.  While they are primarily LGB events the trans community is a part of that and should be.  We do share some common history and while our particular focus is on gender not sexual orientation, we have always been in some part a portion of the LGB population.  Again, this is obscured by definitions and only can confuse the situation.  Needless to say, the ties are there.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance in many western countries is November 20.  It is a time for solemn reflection on those of the worldwide transgender community who have suffered while being more than subtle reminder that even in our enlightened cultures we are at risk.  As long as there is prejudice and bigotry we are at risk.  The question I have to ask is why?  For me it is an often repeated question.  For most it is a question of why cant societies allow us to live and let live.  It should not be a major issue.

The life of but one person or even a small community has no impact on the larger population.  It has no effect on their lives except to inflame their own misguided opinions and prejudices. 

How can anyone suggest that the wakening and daily routine of another demeans their own life? 

How can one suggest that a teacher who is transgendered is less of a teacher than one who is not?  If anything, perhaps the opposite is true because there is a greater awareness of diversity.  That is unless of course the parents believe in prejudice and bigotry not tolerance and love. 

How can the gender identity of an executive make him or her less effective at doing their job?  Is this to say that a natal female is less capable than a transitioned female?  Why and how?  Please tell me.

How can a transgendered person be less devoted in their religious views than one who is not?  Does god say that only one who is heterosexual or cisgendered is privilege to god's love?

How can a transgendered person be less of a parent than one who is cisgendered?  Is their ability to love and care for a child contingent on gender and sex?

These are oft used and ridiculous arguments in favour of discrimination.  To those and many more I challenge anyone of any nonsecular group or belief to prove to me that the heteronormal and cisgendered population is absolutely free of any transgressions of domestic violence. divorce, child abuse, or any other violation of its own belief system.  It is not possible; not even within the fundamental, conservative Christian Right.  To suggest otherwise is complete and utter hypocrisy.

In closing it is critical to make but a single statement used here previously.

Live And Let Live

Let God be the judge of our lives; you do not have the right or privilege to judge anyone unless you are also willing to have your own lives judged according to the standards set outside of your own communal associations.  If you reject this then you have to be willing to accept the consequences of your actions both here and in the afterlife.

Not I nor anyone else in the LGBT community should be silenced to hate and prejudice in any form or under any banner of excuse.  We can and will fight back.  To spread your lies and prejudices is to invite an equal reaction of truth and consequence.  Do not expect us to patronize your businesses.  Do not expect us to share your views or struggles even in the course of right.  We will do that ourselves.

Do expect us to fight back. and we will do so with truth, honesty and love.  We will fight for our rights of existence guaranteed in many constitutions around the world.  We will fight for our right to exist as human beings just as any other in the global community of humanity.  Nothing less is acceptable.