The conversation of Transgender Rights
Transgender rights are a topic of conversation that has only had traction within the last five years or so. With Hollywood and the media in general finally shining light on the trans community it was only a matter of time before the topic of trans rights was on the docket.
The Supreme Court is about to begin a hearing in regard to transgender civil rights and it is imperative that these rights are taken seriously and bring forth equality for the trans community.
It is so easy to not concern oneself with issues that don’t pertain directly to you. As a cis-gendered man, prejudice based on my gender is something that I certainly will never have to face. That’s my privilege as someone who is cis-gendered.
The fact of the matter is that cis-gendered people need to pay attention and raise awareness to issues like these – it’s a minor stepping stone to get people outside of the trans community invested in the goings-on of the community, but traction is traction.
Aimee Stephens is a transgender woman bringing forward a case to the Supreme Court pertaining to discrimination because of her sex. According to an article from Vox, should Stephens find her footing with the Court, the ruling would allow for nondiscrimination protection for all transgender Americans.
“It’s been enlightening. We’ve found that the wheels of justice turn slowly. But we’re hanging in there and at least now we can sort of see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Stephens said in her interview with Vox about the case.
It’s redundant to have to continually say that all Americans – regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender – deserve to be treated equally and without discrimination, but in the current political minefield we live in this sentiment, unfortunately, must be clarified again and again.
While only 0.6% of Americans in 2019 identify as transgender, that still equates to roughly 1.3 million people. That’s a lot of people being forced to fight against discrimination for having the audacity to be themselves. They should always have access to trans healthcare and other basic needs and rights.
Transgender people are just that – people. There is no reason they should be ostracized by society and be forced to live in fear of being themselves.
A member of the transgender community not wanting to be faced with adversity for their gender identity is not something that should come as a surprise. Everybody wants to live in a world where they can be themselves and be accepted for it.
It’s a playground proverb to treat others how you want to be treated. Is it really so hard to treat others with respect even if they aren’t exactly like ourselves? Diversity in whatever form it takes is a good, powerful thing. It is important that we recognize that and not shy away from it or attack it.
Stephens states that simply getting her case recognized by the Supreme Court is a victory in itself – having the highest court in the land take a matter pertaining to transgender equality so seriously is definitely a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t go without saying that it shouldn’t have to be a Supreme Court case in order for members of the trans community to feel like they’re finally being treated with equality.
