LGBT Community?

Community is defined as a group of people having a common interest. It's also defined as a group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society. Look it up if you don't believe me. So if we are the LGBT community - what's the T?

Right now Congress is again tackling the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would outlaw any workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. Some congressmen, Barney Frank included, are requesting that this new legislation not include sexual identity. This would mean that persons that identify as transgendered would not be protected under this law. Frank believes this legislation could pass if we exclude this group.

On the other side of the fence, there are many LGBT organizations demanding that all members of our community be protected - that includes our transgendered brothers and sisters. Protection for all or protection for none.

I'm not torn at all on this issue. If we are a community, then we should act as a community. Any attack on one group is an attack on us all. To say that the transgendered community does not deserve the same rights and priviledges as the rest of us is an attack on all of us. I cannot allow you to befriend me and simultaneously defile another member of my clan. So if that means no ENDA now, so be it. We must press on as a community until we all can achieve the rights we ALL deserve.

And remember, it wasn't gay men and lesbians that triggered our entry into the civil rights struggle. The riots of Stonewall were boys in dresses that fought back against the policemen that were impeding on our inalienable rights. We would not be where we are without their contributions. And I refuse to make any advances if they are not there beside me on that journey.