Representative Hunter on NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123287737

Where to start with this one….

Representative Hunter manages to display the range and scope of his ignorance and bigotry of LGBT issues in just under five minutes.

He starts by labeling transgender people and hermaphrodites (a better word is intersex) as a sexual preference.

First off, being a hermaphrodite is a genetic condition. No one chooses their chromosomes or genitalia at birth- hence transgender people. (Which is not a sexual preference)

Transgender, at its broadest definition, can be purely behavioral, and I feel, is partially a result of rigid gender expectations and understandings in societies.

Now, from that perspective, I can understand Representative Hunter’s fear of transgender men and women in the military. This institution is about conformity, especially along gender lines. I know women who serve that are not allowed to get the same buzz cuts as men do; they must maintain longer hair, for arbitrary reasons. Transgender people would buck that system, but maybe that is a critique against the military itself.

Representative Hunter also seems afraid that Don’t ask Don’t Tell (DADT) will cause everyone who is LGBT (and intersex) to tell everyone, upon first meeting, of their sexual orientation, which he calls a preference. People usually don’t do this. Everyone has their own method of introducing themselves to others. A few might include sexual orientation, many will not. Unfortunately LGB people are seen as being overt about their sexuality when mentioning normal aspects of their lives like significant others.

This of course would lead to a “bathroom situation”. I don’t really know what he gets up to in the bathroom. Speaking for myself, I use it only for bodily waste disposal. The sexuality or gender of the person using the facilities with me does not at all affect this process.

And if people are uncomfortable about it. So what!

In this time of war, many of our soldiers are in other countries, dealing with inhabitants who do not have American values and expectations. I feel that soldiers need to learn sensitivity to issues they do not understand. The sexuality of the squad mates could act as a spring board, rather than a dividing line.

As an anthropology student, I know and have experienced trying to adapt and fit into situations that I don’t immediately comprehend, but through thinking about and dealing with differences I have become a stronger and better person.

I want to trust our troops and believe that the different sexual orientations in their units is not the hardest thing they are facing right now.

NPR News on Obama at HRC Dinner and the March on Washington

"Despite Presidential Promises, Don't Ask Don't Tell Still Rules"

"Since Obama took office, more than 400 gay service members have been forced out of the military due to Don't Ask Don't Tell, but the president has yet to take action on his campaign promise to repeal the Pentagon policy. He'll address the annual dinner of the gay rights advocacy group Human Rights Campaign Saturday night, and he'll likely have some explaining to do."

Audio from this 10-10-09 NPR post available at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113697970&ft=1&f=1014

Rep. Barney Frank (the first OUT member of Congress) says tomorrow's [5th] Queer march on Washington is a waste of time. If we want to get our reps on board, we really need to write them as constituents. That's what the top lobbies in the country (NRA and AARP) do and it obviously works for them.

However, I do think this march will be a great opportunity for visibility and "coming out." Hopefully, more people have come out since yesterday's National Coming Out Day. Family and friends of those previously closeted can no longer say "it doesn't affect anyone I care about," or, "I don't know any." When it becomes more personal, people think twice.

But it shouldn't have to be personal. I wish we could all learn to care about issues even when they don't affect us directly. Straight people should be fighting against homophobia. White people should be fighting racism. Men should be fighting sexism. "Able" people should be fighting ableism. Christians should be fighting religious oppression for other religions. Cisgender people should be fighting against "genderqueerphobia" and transphobia. Americans should fight for the oppressions against those of other nations. The list could go on. People of any privilege should be aware of the ways they direct privilege and how it affects others whose native identities deny them such privileges. We have to take care of each other because we can't all fight every social problem as individuals and small groups, though we can get some big things started.

So maybe this march will re-inspire activists, bring in new allies, and create visibility. It's unfortunate that many of the reps will be in their states for the "holiday" weekend comemorating the commencement of the genocide that founded this country.

The two NPR articles (links below) follow the story in more depth.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113699338&ft=1&f=1014

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113634899&ft=1&f=1014