Spring Break
Questioning Slanted Equality
Courtney, Panel Discuss Incomplete Non-Discrimination Act
Heather Murdock
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News
Pittman also said that the key to expanding protection was educating the public on transgender issues. Through education, he said, the HRC hopes to "move America on the issue, so Congress can move on the issue."
Thomas W. Ude Jr., a Lambda Legal senior staff attorney, agreed that the GLBT community should prioritize educating the public and government officials. He also said that from a legal standpoint, a non-inclusive bill, if it does become law, less likely to be constructive.
"The stronger the protections that are in the law to begin with, the better off our whole community is," Ude said.
Courtney represents Connecticut's 2nd District, which includes Storrs. He co-sponsored the original, all-inclusive bill and voted 'yes' on the amended bill. He agreed with Pittman, and explained his position at a reception in the Rainbow Center later that afternoon.
"Anyone who's been close to a legislative process knows," Courtney said, "that Rome isn't built in a day. If anyone looks at the history of civil rights legislation in this country- these are sometimes generations long struggles that take a lot of tenacity. For a bill to get passed- it's important. It educates the members too."
He said that he also wanted to pass an all-inclusive bill and added, "with all the frustration that people still have, I don't think they should minimize the fact that this never happened before."
Currently, there are no federal laws that protect Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and none of the many bills that have been proposed over the years have survived a House vote. He also said that it is possible that the more conservative that Congressed passed will get more support from Republicans in the Senate than its predecessor.
Some UConn community members, however, remained unconvinced.
"For our community at UConn, it's very important for us to be inclusive of all people." said Dawn England, the financial chair of Queers United Against Discrimination and a 7th-semester animal science and human development and family studies major. "Without question," she said, "many of us took the position that an inclusive bill was necessary."
Thomas W. Ude Jr., a Lambda Legal senior staff attorney, agreed that the GLBT community should prioritize educating the public and government officials. He also said that from a legal standpoint, a non-inclusive bill, if it does become law, less likely to be constructive.
"The stronger the protections that are in the law to begin with, the better off our whole community is," Ude said.
Courtney represents Connecticut's 2nd District, which includes Storrs. He co-sponsored the original, all-inclusive bill and voted 'yes' on the amended bill. He agreed with Pittman, and explained his position at a reception in the Rainbow Center later that afternoon.
"Anyone who's been close to a legislative process knows," Courtney said, "that Rome isn't built in a day. If anyone looks at the history of civil rights legislation in this country- these are sometimes generations long struggles that take a lot of tenacity. For a bill to get passed- it's important. It educates the members too."
He said that he also wanted to pass an all-inclusive bill and added, "with all the frustration that people still have, I don't think they should minimize the fact that this never happened before."
Currently, there are no federal laws that protect Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and none of the many bills that have been proposed over the years have survived a House vote. He also said that it is possible that the more conservative that Congressed passed will get more support from Republicans in the Senate than its predecessor.
Some UConn community members, however, remained unconvinced.
"For our community at UConn, it's very important for us to be inclusive of all people." said Dawn England, the financial chair of Queers United Against Discrimination and a 7th-semester animal science and human development and family studies major. "Without question," she said, "many of us took the position that an inclusive bill was necessary."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Diana
posted 12/03/07 @ 2:38 PM EST
It will take a very long time for the HRC to rebuild trust in the trans-community.
This is what got the us so angry with the HRC...
* In March 2000, the HRC added Gender to its Mission Statement. (Continued…)
Joni Christian
posted 12/04/07 @ 9:46 AM EST
"An injury to one is an injury to all."
"United ENDA coalition continues to expand, and we intend to harness the passion, grassroots activism and local, state and national organization leadership. (Continued…)
Richard Nelson
posted 12/04/07 @ 11:43 AM EST
Sorry Heather, members of Ct. TransAdvocacy and Queers Without Borders who protested outside did not and let me repeat did not go into the the panel at the Dodd Center. (Continued…)
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