LGBT LAW
Connect:
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • LEGAL ISSUES
  • OHIO LAW
  • BASIC ESTATE PLANNING
  • Paper Trail
  • RESOURCES
  • CONTACT

Transgender Rights

5/17/2016

0 Comments

 
In April 2016, the state legislatures in North Carolina and Mississippi enacted legislation requiring people to use public bathrooms that correspond with the gender showing on their birth certificates. These "bathroom bills" have created a hailstorm of criticism throughout the country and elevated the dangers facing transgender men and women. Cisgender men and women who may not look like some think they should are also at risk. Supporters of these laws--and other state legislatures, including Ohio--are considering them claim they will "protect" women and girls who use public restrooms from men claiming to be women.

Their position has no basis in fact. First, transgender women are not pretending. They are at great risk when using the men's room. Transgender men, for the most part, would never pass muster in a women's room. And, many women, including my spouse, are challenged on a regular basis when using the restroom because they do not present as a stereotypical female.

Other groups facing discrimination will be anyone who needs assistance with normal restroom activities.

These laws are being championed by people who are ignorant of the transgender community and the issues facing transgender men and women. Now that marriage equality is legal throughout the United States, these folks needed to find something else to occupy their time. It's too bad they could not have settled on something that is actually necessary.

Contrary to the rantings of these folks, there have NEVER been any incidents involving a transgender woman accosting a cisgender woman or girl in a restroom. That comes from law enforcement agencies around the country. There have been numerous incidents in which transgender men and women have been violently assaulted because of their gender identity.

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina because that state's law violates federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, designed to protect transgender individuals from discrimination. U.S. citizens are not in danger from transgender men and women. Members of the transgender community, however, are endangered by these ignorant, transphobic and homophobic enactments by GOP led legislatures. 

National LGBT organizations are gearing up to protect transgender rights around the country. Education will be the first place to start.
0 Comments

    Author

    Joan M. Burda is a lawyer with a solo practice in Lakewood, Ohio. She limits her practice to estate planning. She writes on a variety of topics and is an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve School of Law. Joan is nationally recognized for her work in addressing legal issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

    Archives

    August 2020
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    July 2015
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Defense Of Marriage Act
    Doma
    Estate Planning
    Health Benefits
    Lgbt
    Lgbt Marriage

    RSS Feed



    DISCLAIMER:
    No information submitted to this site is protected by any attorney-client privilege.

Joan M. Burda Attorney at Law • lgbtlaw@mac.com • 216.832.8825
Content copyright 2010-2020. Joan M. Burda. All rights reserved.