tampa, fl - city council voting to amend human rights ord. to include gender discrimination

[pikake.livejournal.com]

"Tampa council grants protections to transgender people"
By Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 02:04 PM

TAMPA — The City Council on Thursday gave unanimous preliminary approval to expanding its human rights ordinance to protect transgender people from discrimination.

But does that mean cross-dressers are protected, too?

Specifically, the ordinance prohibits discrimination on the basis of "gender identity and expression."

"Is it today that I'm sitting next to Albert and tomorrow I'm sitting next to Alice?" asked council member Charlie Miranda.

( Read more... )

a few thoughts of my own:

- the title is misleading, because this was just a preliminary vote.
- so much of the article makes me want to *headdesk*
- the whole "crossdresser vs. transgender" false dichotomy is completely ridiculous on so many levels.
~so much of the banter from some of the council folks seems to be centered around this completely privileged position which just might set up trans* folks up for further scrutiny of their bodies in the name of "non-discrimination."
~who gets to decide whether one is "truly" trans* or just trying to cause a disruption or whatever? [just for clarity's sake, I am referencing charlie miranda's words here.]
~what would happen to people who are transgender and personally ID with a M or F label but are not considered to be "passing" by employees?
~etc...
- so many of the comments make me want to *headdesk* as well


a few [more positive] thoughts of my own:

- YAY! my favorite city council persons were among the ones who countered the derailing points about "cross-dressers" and what not.
- john dingfelder, one of those council folks, is running for county commissioner in 2010. last night, he told me that if gets voted in, he will be a solid ally in helping overturn the current county-wide ban on gay book displays in libraries. double YAY!
- despite the ignorance of some of those folks ... there was only only ONE dissenting vote! that's pretty damn exciting, eh?

...what's new with local news where you all live?

Conflicted

[marc-87.livejournal.com]

I am just so conflicted. I know meeting with my new therapist here in like a week will help but I was hoping I could maybe get some 'help' before then. Just wondering if anyone else felt like I do and where they are now.

I identity more as a guy. It just feels natural and better to me. I feel most comfortable dressed like a guy and I like it when I am mistaken for one. However, I feel like I am betraying someone if I get rid of all of my femininity. I hate dressing in revealing clothing but got use to it because I thought that is what my husband wanted. I will admit he looks at me differently when I do and I like that look but the discomfort I feel in those clothes is just so great, especially now that I am being honest with myself. So, anyways, kinda to my point, I have wanted a breast reduction since they kept growing (2 kids does that to ya). But now I am wondering should I just reduce them or get rid of them since the cost is about the same for both. But I feel bad if I completely get rid of them because I feel like I can't be feminine for my husband then yet I know he doesn't want me doing that.

Anyone else have this kind of internal conflict happen? What did you decide?