Transwoman Maya
Wicks-Perez, an employee of Burlington Coat Factory in San Francisco is suing the company for openly harassing her and creating a hostile work environment.
She said, “One of my supervisors kept encouraging me to transition, but then when I talked to senior Burlington
management about it, I was told that it was wrong."
"Throughout the next seven years, according to the lawsuit,
Burlington’s management fostered an environment that was openly hostile
to Wikes-Perez. Her supervisors subjected her to graphic sexualized
conversations; one supervisor presented her with pornography;
co-workers grabbed and touched her breasts, buttocks, and genitals; and
customers were allowed to physically and verbally assault her."
Even those who oppose gay rights usually comprehend that any kind of
harassment of gays in the workplace is not just boorish but illegal.
But I don't think an increasing tolerance toward gays always translates
into acceptance of transgendered people.
Do you think transsexuals face more discrimination than gay people?
– Wilbur
Photo Credit: Flickr
Wil, the short answer to your question is yes. The longer answer is that the issues faced by the transgender community are so much more pervasive because of both the physical and psychological implications of being transgendered, and bigots tend to be fear-mongering cowards who attack those with the fewest protections. In New York, there is NO legal protection against discrimination based on gender identity or gender identity expression (meaning that ANYONE can be fired from their job for being “too masculine”, “too feminine”, or “the wrong kind of masculine/feminine”, and they can LEGALLY cite that as their reason for firing you, in case the implications weren’t clear enough with my shorter answers).
Of course, even many in the gay community, transgendered people face discrimination.
i wouldn’t specifically say more, i would say a different kind of discrimination. when will people wake up and worry about their own dam bedrooms and not everyone else’s?
does it make weak/insecure/uneducated people feel powerful when they can harass someone else?!
as long as someone isn’t doing something outside the law, or hurting others then it doesnt really matter what they are doing…
With all due respect, this is a stupid question. It’s not a contest to see who is more discriminated against. As long as people are discriminated for any ridiculous reason, whether it’s their sexual orientation or their gender identification, then it’s wrong. If a woman was born a man, she should have the same rights and respect as anyone. If a man feels more comfortable dressing as a woman, again, I would say they should be allowed to express themselves in a way that makes them comfortable.
When I was a teenager, I remember a girl friend of mine told me I shouldn’t stand with my hands in my back pockets because it didn’t look masculine. At the time I thought, who the fuck comes up with these rules?
I still think the same way. Who the fuck decides what is acceptable and what isn’t, and why does anyone else allow them to decide that?