News Item

Local Consortium Distributes Pamphlets at HRC Awards Dinner
Oct. 14, 2002

Washington, DC -- TransActivism DC, a Washington, DC, consortium of people dedicated to making the lives of transgendered people better, distributed pamphlets at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner,  October 13, to heighten awareness of the lack of legal protection afforded the vast majority of transgendered people across the United States.

The pamphlets, distributed to attendees as they left the main ballroom, highlighted a number of issues affecting the transgendered people. Among them were the fact that the current Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) does not include transgendered people and that the Americans with Disabilities Act specifically excludes transsexuals and transvestites. This despite the fact that transsexualism and transvestism are medically recognized conditions and not "lifestyle choices." Other issues a discussed included points concerning the lack of employment protection
for transgendered people.

The pamphlet also listed cities and states that have mandated protections for the transgendered, as evidence that language that protects both "sexual expression" and "gender identity and expression" is feasible and that a gender-inclusive ENDA is needed. Despite the progress made at the local and state level in many places, currently,
only 10.6 percent of the U.S. population is currently covered by non-discrimination protections for the transgendered.

In mounting its pamphlet campaign, TransActivism DC joined other local transgender advocacy groups around the country, such as those in Seattle, Houston and Atlanta in the effort to educate HRC members on issues facing transgendered people.

TransActivism DC was represented at the event by members of the DC Area TransMasculine Society, the Metropolitan Area Gender Identity Connection and the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition.