Alex Wen
Ms. Mendola
AP Language and Composition
9 January 2017
The Battle of Transgender Equality
Everyone is given a gender the moment they are born. At birth they are either one of two genders: masculine or feminine. This gender everyone is assigned affects many of our day to day actions and our looks. However some people may evolve differently as they grow up and may not fit the rigid boundaries set for the sex they were assigned at birth. In recent years there has been a boom in a third considered gender: the transgender population. However with the boom comes the argument of to what extent should transgender people be protected by the government. Throughout the existence of transgender people, the rights of transgenders have been
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This is in direct correlation with the increased probability of mental illnesses in the transgender population. Traditional views certainly do not help as many transgender citizens are told they are “sick” because of their difference with many religious and personal beliefs. A study from Boston published earlier this year in the Journal of Adolescent Health, reported that transsexual youth had two to three times increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, self-harm without lethal intent, and both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment. These statistics show the clear consequences of mental health transgenders are facing if transgender rights continues to be unregulated. It is essential that the federal government steps in to take action in order to make sure things do not continue on this downwards path.
Some citizens support the idea of laws and rules being passed in support of transgenders rights, but they believe that the federal government does not need to be involved. They believe that schools, institutions, and the workplace can regulate themselves. Although America is showing progress towards transgender equality, there are still many who refuse to acknowledge
In attribute to social stress, Transgender people are more vulnerable to symptoms of depression and anxiety (APA). They also struggle with self-esteem, they ask themselves questions about why they should be who they are if society is saying NO. Understanding and compassionate mental health providers have often been an important part of that. This bill has caused so many to speak out, Transgenders and their supporters have protested, made speeches, tweeted, they have done anything to get the word out for what they believe in. A Transgender man, Joaquin Carcano, has definitely had a lot to say, but he spoke out because he is tired. He is tired of the discrimination and fear. Time shared his inspiring words that have captured the very essence of what all Transgenders are feeling. “As members of the Transgender
The governmental perpetuation of the myth that people who do not identify with their assigned gender at birth have a mental illness enforces public misunderstanding, fear, and hate. When government agents prohibit the gathering of information about trans individuals, they close themselves off from understanding the values and motives, of a large portion of the population. The government perpetuating the misconception that trans-gendered individuals are “mentally ill” encourages citizens to fear people who are not like them. Sustaining a culture of ignorance and
In the wake of Trump’s election the LGBTQ community faces uncertainty about what protection the U.S. government will provide. Last week’s Supreme Court ruling of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission displayed that a majority of the Court support discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for the sake of religious neutrality. While refusing to bake a gay couple a wedding cake is not inherently harmful, the arguments used to justify segregation or refusing services can be detrimental when applied to other queer discrimination cases. In the recent months Trump’s administration has been rolling back protections that the Obama administration put in place provide transgender people with adequate healthcare and humane treatment
Recently, courtrooms have been filling up with the issue of transgender rights and the need for protection of these people’s basic rights that everyone else has (Scherer 32). The most pressing, or popular issue, within this battle, seems to be which public bathrooms should be used by transgender individuals. On the one hand, conservatives believe that everyone should go to the bathroom specified for the gender they were born with, claiming that invasion of privacy and safety issues would be bound to arise in allowing transgender individuals to go to the bathroom of their choice. While proponents claim that the transgender community is excluded from society, bullied, and forced to live as the gender they were born as, not what they identify with--leaving them restricted, oppressed, and denied of their basic freedoms and rights under the Constitution (Scherer).
In the twenty-first century, there are major controversy and discussions regarding unisex bathrooms and the rights of transgendered individuals. This issue has arisen in many public places such as schools, jobs, and restaurants in which transgender individuals want to use facilities that correspond to their gender identity (Transgender Restroom Use: Overview). Transgender refers to people that changed their gender identity to the gender they feel most comfortable in. According to the article “Transgender Rights,” Gender means the identity of being male or female, typically used to reference social and cultural differences and not biological ones. Sex refers to the biological features of a person male or female at birth. In result to that,
Moore1Abby MooreJason Armstrong ENG 11230228 September 2017Does What's in One's Pants Define Who One is?Transgender citizens are no outsider to the culture citizens live in: the conception of not feeling constrained or comfortable in one's gender or sex has been discussed and observed for many years. In today's society, one observes and perceives many different types of people. One may see different races, different sex, and also, different traditions. Our world is full of divergent people. As citizens of The United States people have their own personal rights as an American citizen. Although there is innumerable amount of problems with the system today there are pro's and con's to both sides of the situation that is to be taken into consideration and a solution. American citizens are arguing all over the United States about transgender bathroom use and should it be prohibited and enforced. Transgender restroom use has become a much more substantial issue at the present time because as American citizens, all is supposed to have equal rights. Transgender citizens are not overlooking this poetic right as American citizens. Many people in the United States protest because what is in one's pants does not have to define who one is. If one grows and desires to be something different as an American citizen legally one cannot tell them it is
In the past few years alone, the world as a whole has become remarkably aware of the transgender community. With this have come historic advances in civil rights for transgender people; however, discrimination continues to be a significant problem. In the United States, one public issue that has surfaced is public bathroom use; many individuals are opposed to transgender people’s using the gendered bathrooms of their choice simply because the genders assigned to them at birth are different from their gender identities.
For many people living in the United States of America, they have heard of transgenderism and the ongoing battle to gain rights for this group. Numerous laws and regulations have been presented that help or hinder member of this community. As of the recent suicide of transgender teenagers Leelah Alcorn and Zander Mahaffey, rights of transgender teenagers have become a more prominent subject as many seek for the banning of gender-conversion therapy, a therapy that aims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and the metal abuse it causes (Segal). The rights of transgender teenagers over the rights of parents and leaders is an important subject in the continuing battle of transgender rights, and what should be done to save teenagers from the harmful fate that this conversion therapy causes.
As explained by Tando , a gender therapist, “ Gender is between the ears, it's in the brain. Sex is anatomy it's between your legs, and they are two very different things.” I believe this to be very true. This meaning what you are between the legs sometimes has nothing to do with the gender you are. Many people have experienced this. Furthermore many things are not being done to get them the rights they deserve. Numerous people will protest against what I know to be right. Obama's guidance laws were put in place for just that reason, but have since been blocked by the supreme court. This is a classic example of how people do not believe that everyone should be treated equal including the transgender community. This is spreading rapidly and widely across the country. The suicide rate is getting higher and higher in Transgenders and it is causing chaos in schools. The transgender
“41% of people who are transgender have attempted suicide sometime in their life” (Alpert). SIRS researcher writes, “The American Psychiatric Association uses the term ‘gender dysphonia’ as the medical diagnosis for people who feel their birth-assigned sex and their gender identity do not match.” The pro view point are excited that laws have been passed to protect transgender people from discrimination harassment and bullying. While the cons are against the law because they are worried that people will claim the opposite sex to get into the opposite sex’s public restrooms, or locker rooms. This paper will examine the pro, con and my viewpoint on whether we need more laws to protect gender identity or not.
On September 24, 1951, at Gentofte Hospital, the world was shaken when George William Jorgensen Jr became the first man to receive sexual reassignment, becoming Christine Jorgensen at the age of 25. Ever since that day, Transgenderism and sexual reassignment surgery has become a matter of raging debate with questions of the ethics of such actions and how much equality should be given to people who identify as transgender. With the ever growing plea of gender recognition, citizens and state legislature remain unsure about whether or not to recognize and support the integration of transgender people because of their right to legitimacy and need for protection, or dismiss the transgender identity and not allow the reassignment of sex due to the belief of the
A transgender person is someone who identifies as the opposite gender they were assigned at birth. Transgender people often suffer from gender dysphoria, a condition in which a person feels a psychological disturbance towards their assigned gender. In order to calm their dysphoria, they make the decision to live as who they truly believe themselves to be. A person such as this often faces an umbrella of governmental, societal, occupational, educational, medical, and domestic grievance’s. To many, this is an all new phenomena, but people of the transgender community have been facing problems for decade’s with little to no recognition or assurance. However, in the past few years’ matters concerning rights and protection of transgender people have made a significant appearance in the media and courtrooms. But appearance itself is not enough, these people need to been seen and heard. Little has been said to address the unnecessary hardships trans individuals must face in order to live authentically. The government and society need to make more accommodations for the safety, and overall well-being of transgender people.
Society is shaped through the furtherance of two genders, male and female, and most countries rely on the heterosexual tradition for defining society. There are many countries that to this day still disregard any other points of view that may nullify their habits, in the midst of the concept of outside-the-box action would be homosexuality, or as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms defines them The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Many transgendered youth (33%) reported missing needed physical health care during the past year, and even more missed needed mental health care (68%). Transgendered youth face, higher rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and phobic disorders, suicidality, self-harm, PTSD and substance use. Mental health issues are a key concern, as 77% of transgendered youth in an Ontario-based survey had seriously considered suicide and 45% had attempted suicide. School staff need further training to improve their competency in providing high quality care for transgendered youth. This should include general education about gender identity and barriers that transgendered people face in accessing health care, and specific training for addressing transgendered youth health
Everyone has a gender, but do we really know what our gender is? The term “transgender” is relatively new, dated in the mid-1990s. Often, transgender people are not understood well by our population. Have you ever thought about what is gender? Gender is the thing that describes who we are and the characteristics that the society of culture describe as masculinity and feminists. As more people are revealing that they are transgender. We should treat them like they are one of us, they deserve more respect, less criticism on their beliefs, and giving them equal rights.