tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7207011.post8215501714167046690..comments2024-02-23T15:48:24.856-07:00Comments on The Cracked Crystal Ball II: Bill C-389 - Including Protections For Transgender PeopleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7207011.post-34599990950950403532010-06-14T05:56:24.627-07:002010-06-14T05:56:24.627-07:00Jessica,
A few points here:
(1) The language of...Jessica,<br /><br />A few points here:<br /><br />(1) The language of Siksay's bill doesn't explicitly talk about a distinction between transgender and transsexual people. It uses the language of gender identity and gender expression, which is consistent with the use of the term 'transgender' as an umbrella concept that encompasses all whose behaviour and appearance transgress societal norms about gendered behaviour.<br /><br />(2) I am loosely familiar with the Sheridan decision (but I haven't exactly gone out of my way to read it in depth), however, I would argue that most people aren't even aware of its existence much less content and implications.<br /><br />One obvious concern I can see arising is the implications of denoting when an individual "begins their transition" in legal terms. <br /><br />As I am sure you understand, transition is a process not an event; and for many it is a fairly lengthy process even before they choose to make their journey public knowledge. During this time, it is not clear at all that the protection extended under Sheridan applies. Siksay's bill uses wording that does enable those protections explicitly.<br /><br />(3) I appreciate and understand the differences between the various subgroups that are commonly understood to be part of the broadly defined 'transgender' umbrella. <br /><br />Whether or not Transsexuals should be viewed as separate and distinct from the Transgender umbrella is a philosophical point that I may consider addressing in a future post on this blog. For the purposes of this post, I am assuming that the common understanding in the public is that transsexuals are one part of the overall spectrum of Transgender experience. (which is certainly consistent with the way Siksay's bill is worded)MgShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183962674882855323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7207011.post-27459498985432148322010-06-14T05:31:06.282-07:002010-06-14T05:31:06.282-07:00Under current human rights practice, dating back t...Under current human rights practice, dating back to Sheridan v. Sanctuary Investments, a 1999 decision of the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, from the moment transsexual people begin their transition we are recognized as our target sex. This decision was specifically in response to Tawni Sheridan's being barred from the women's washroom.<br /><br />The discourse around the bill is explicitly "transsexual and transgender people" because to speak only of transgender people does the very thing we argue THEY do to us, erase us.<br /><br />Some people seek to change their gender; some people seek to change their sex. <br /><br />Some people are unable to achieve their sex change; some have no interest in doing so.<br /><br />To achieve our common goals of equality and freedom it is not required we have an enforced common identity. To enforce a common identity keeps us from what we espouse.<br /><br />Hence, "transsexual and transgender people." This is the debate in the House of Commons.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194720099776105477noreply@blogger.com