Comments on: Gay community now think they can represent trans people?

By: Davina

Davina — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:25:05 +0000

This is a classic “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. The LGF (and other organisations like them) are criticised for not showing solidarity with the Trans community or for not being inclusive, then are panned when they do ask for views from the trans community.

Also, it seems that some people are very difficult to please. Even from the comments above, organisations set up to represent Trans people’s views don’t seem to be up to the job. Trans people are individuals and you could argue that there is no “trans community” any more than there is a “gay community” in terms of representation of views.

As a result, the most vocal people, ranting on blogs and forums end up representing all trans people by default, meaning that the voices of those most in need of representation are not heard anyway. Which sounds just as ineffective as being represented by “the Lesbian & Gay community.”

By: Cyberspice

Cyberspice — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:27:21 +0000

That’s a great idea. PfC did some good work but also a lot of the time didn’t seem to represent me. The Gender Trust I just avoided. A group that represents us and puts forward our concerns without agenda would be ideal.

By: Jo

Jo — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:14:38 +0000

Hi Zoe, you raise some very good points. The Lesbian & Gay Foundation are a lesbian, gay and bisexual organisation and we don’t “claim” to represent the trans community. However, we are supportive of the trans community and transgender organisations.

With regards to meeting with Lynne Featherstone to discuss the future of Civil Partnerships, the LGF were there as an LGB organisation.

However, people from the trans community responded to our request for views on civil partnerships, and we tabled them at the House of Commons on Tuesday, alongside the comments of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. That’s why I tweeted about The LGF tabling comments from the “LGB&T community”.

At no point did this go out as a press release, we tweeted about our news story.

Changing Attitude – who were also at the meeting on Tuesday “work for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Anglican Communion”. As for the other organisations around the table you would have to contact them directly on whether they represent the trans community.

I realise that you’ve already been in touch with the Home Office about Tuesday’s meeting, but it might be useful for you to contact the Home Office again to see if there is a planned consultation specifically for trans organisations.

Best wishes,
Jo

By: Jessika

Jessika — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:42:14 +0000

I think that’s an aspiration that many many of us share. My efforts to spark something off being hampered by the whole epic health fail.

By: Jessika

Jessika — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:39:36 +0000

Good spotting.

Although seems like just the same old crap to me. No change, no progress.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:09:28 +0000

cool, good luck and happy to get behind you in principle.

By: Zoe O'Connell

Zoe O'Connell — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:45:53 +0000

I’m intending to try to set something up to present Trans views (Kind of a replacement for PfC) just a case of getting enough of a mandate/support/input so that I’m not just speaking for myself.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:24:27 +0000

whatever happened to “nothing about us without us”

It’s hard to present a unified front, when everyone asks for their to be an orginsation, without wanting to actually be said orgnisation.

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