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HRC in not the enemy
May. 12th, 2004 02:14 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
khandro.livejournal.comA few days ago a post came across this community about HRC. I would like to offer a different view of things.
There are a few points about this that might help one to come to a different understanding of things.
HRC is not a anti-transgendered organization. They have recently written their mission and policies to include transgendered issues. There are several transgendered individuals that work for them in staff positions. There are two transgendered memebers of the advisory board. The HRC web site has (IMHO) the best site out there about coming out on the job. It is a site that you can point your employers to, that puts all the information in a central location and the fact that it is aimed at the non-transgendered person makes it easy to understand. I would suggest that you visit their site and see for yourself HRC Transgendered Issues It is my understanding that a substaintial website re-work is underway and that it will be substainially improved. I can hardly wait.
Nevertheless, they still are not as supportive as they can be. They still hold onto a version of EDNA that does not include "gender identity or expression" in the language. On the other hand, the diversity pledge that they circulate for congressional offices to sign does include the language.
A few years ago, I might have agreed with the assertion that HRC was the enemy but I can no longer agree to that. So why the change. This is because of few transgendered leaders decided to work with HRC instead of against them. This work has born fruit. They have made incredible strides since we began working with them. There is still a way to go but the best way to get there is to work with them. Today we have people on the advisory board fighting for our issues to be included in HRC's work. And this is paying off.
I think it is a folly to fight against them. They are the most powerful GLBT organization in the country. If we as a community try to work against them, we will end up just souring a potential ally against us. And I for one would much rather have them as an ally then an actual enemy. In addition, would it not be better to be fighting the real problems instead of wasting our precious resources fighting against one of our own.
I offer this as a counter-point. Please understand that not everyone agrees on the best strategy and I simply thought that an alternitive view should be expressed.
There are a few points about this that might help one to come to a different understanding of things.
HRC is not a anti-transgendered organization. They have recently written their mission and policies to include transgendered issues. There are several transgendered individuals that work for them in staff positions. There are two transgendered memebers of the advisory board. The HRC web site has (IMHO) the best site out there about coming out on the job. It is a site that you can point your employers to, that puts all the information in a central location and the fact that it is aimed at the non-transgendered person makes it easy to understand. I would suggest that you visit their site and see for yourself HRC Transgendered Issues It is my understanding that a substaintial website re-work is underway and that it will be substainially improved. I can hardly wait.
Nevertheless, they still are not as supportive as they can be. They still hold onto a version of EDNA that does not include "gender identity or expression" in the language. On the other hand, the diversity pledge that they circulate for congressional offices to sign does include the language.
A few years ago, I might have agreed with the assertion that HRC was the enemy but I can no longer agree to that. So why the change. This is because of few transgendered leaders decided to work with HRC instead of against them. This work has born fruit. They have made incredible strides since we began working with them. There is still a way to go but the best way to get there is to work with them. Today we have people on the advisory board fighting for our issues to be included in HRC's work. And this is paying off.
I think it is a folly to fight against them. They are the most powerful GLBT organization in the country. If we as a community try to work against them, we will end up just souring a potential ally against us. And I for one would much rather have them as an ally then an actual enemy. In addition, would it not be better to be fighting the real problems instead of wasting our precious resources fighting against one of our own.
I offer this as a counter-point. Please understand that not everyone agrees on the best strategy and I simply thought that an alternitive view should be expressed.
