Personally, 2009 has been just so-so, and I’m looking forward to starting a “new year,” even though the “starting over” thing is purely psychological. But for the community as a whole, 2009 has provided some successes, some setbacks, and some downright sleepers. Here are just a few of each, in my opinion:
The Best:
Chaz Bono comes out: A major boost for trans recognition and acceptance, particularly for the “invisible” female-to-male set, Bono’s public transition (he has no other choice) has allowed non-trans people to see that anyone can be trans, and that gender issues are not confined to some specific oddball set of the population that they can ignore, sweep under the carpet, or therapize into submission. It has also forced non-trans people to recognize trans men — “Wow, you mean there are guys out there, too?”
Hate crimes verdict in the Angie Zapata case: While acknowledging that there are two sides to the hate crimes issue, and I haven’t yet decided which side I’m on, I still like this verdict — the first in the country to recognize trans status as a hate-crimes motivator in a murder. It has allowed non-trans people to see that trans people cannot be ignored, swept under the carpet, therapized into submission — or brutally murdered — without some ramifications.
Federal hate-crimes legislation: The passage of the Matthew Shepard James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act on a federal level reflects what Colorado (where I live) and some other states already knew — it’s not okay to kill someone because you don’t like how they look, who they are, or who you perceive them to be. It’s not okay to kill someone at all, but this goes beyond that, recognizing that bias-motivated murders and other hate crimes terrorize an entire group of people. I know I haven’t completely made up my mind about hate-crimes laws, but for now, this goes in the “Best” category.
Trans non-discrimination inclusion in various cities across the country: Kalamazoo, Tampa, Fort Worth, Salt Lake City, Cleveland — these are a few of the cities that have passed non-discrimination ordinances that include protections for trans people. If we can’t get federal protections, we’ll just go city to city to city to city until we have equal rights. We’ve got all the time in the world. Maybe not individually — some of us are getting up there in years. But there are plenty more coming up behind us, and more after them. It will happen.
The proliferation of trans blogs, websites, and social groups on the Internet: Finally, those who are young, isolated, or need more information don’t have to cruise the library for outdated references. Trans people have friends, support, and resources, with just an Internet connection and an ability to type in some keywords.
The Worst:
Federal ENDA stalls in Congress: It’s despicable that our representatives can’t decide whether or not to see us as human beings — but we’re still going city to city, and we’re not going away.
The attacks and murders continue: Tyli’a Mack, Brenda in Italy, an unnamed woman in Trinidad, Colo., and many more — brutal attacks, attempted murders, and murders against trans people, and especially trans women, continue. Trans Day of Remembrance is not going away anytime soon.
Mike Penner/Christine Daniels suicide: While we don’t know for sure that Penner/Daniels committed suicide because of gender issues, we do know that trans people are overrepresented in suicide statistics — and recognition and acceptance of our status as equal human beings and productive, worthwhile people could go a long way in reducing this constant threat to our population.
The proliferation of trans blog wars: Let’s give it a rest and call a truce, folks. If we can’t stop fighting among ourselves, calling each other names, refusing to acknowledge each other’s identities, and just demonstrating junior-high playground behavior, we don’t need the right wing — we’ll just quietly (or noisily) destroy ourselves.
The Boring:
Thomas Beatie has another baby: Been there, done that — it’s just not a story anymore, media folks.
Chaz Bono is shaving: This was actually a news story all over the Internet — big hairy deal (pun intended).
Mayor Stu Rasmussen wears a halter top: Another non-story that the media can’t get enough of.
These are just the highlights. What are your best, worst, and most boring for 2009?
