capstone course final presentation: discrimination against transgender people

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

TRANSGENDER DISCRIMINATION

BACKGROUND INFORMATION▸ Sex = The biological characteristics of an individual▸ Gender = A construct composed of gender roles and

gender identity / expression▸ When an individual’s sex and gender don’t align they

often identify as transgender


POLICY▸ Should Texas pass a statewide law protecting LGBT

people from discrimination regarding gender identity and expression in public facilities?

▸ This law would explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression in public facilities

▸ A violation of this law would be a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500


SOCIAL PROBLEM▸ Proponents: The discrimination and violence that

transgender people experience ▸ Opponents: Loss of freedom of speech and religion


PROPONENTS▸ Mostly liberals▸ Values: Human rights, equality, and the wellbeing of

transgender people


OPPONENTS▸ Mostly conservatives▸ Values: Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and

family values


ARGUMENTS▸ Proponents

▸ This law will protect transgender people from discrimination resulting from the existence of gender-specific public facilities

▸ This law will make transgender people more safe when using public facilities

▸ Opponents▸ This law will violate the privacy of women in public facilities and

endanger them because of sexual predators and rapists who wish to gain access to these facilities

▸ This law will award rights to a special interest group: Transgender people


INTERVIEW▸ Daniel Williams, Regional field organizer and

legislative specialist at Equality Texas


CONCLUSION▸ Should Texas pass this law? …Yes ▸ Underrepresented people, vulnerable people, and

people who cannot protect themselves should be protected

▸ Principle of equality: Individuals should be treated equally

▸ Transgender people should be held as equal to other members of society and awarded the same basic rights


SUPPORT FOR CONCLUSION▸ Argument: This law will make transgender people more safe

when using public facilities▸ Evidence: The study conducted by Jody Herman and published by

the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles▸ 68% experienced some form of verbal harassment: “Told they

were in the wrong facility, told to leave the facility, questioned about their gender, ridiculed or made fun of, verbally threatened, or stared at and given strange looks”

▸ 9% experienced physical assault “including being forcibly removed from the restroom, hit or kicked, intimidated or cornered, or slapped”


FINAL SOLUTION▸ This law wouldn’t necessarily end discrimination on

the basis of gender identity / expression in public facilities

▸ Although this law would be a step forward for the transgender community, this issue could be addressed through two different approaches


FIRST APPROACH▸ Modify single-occupancy public facilities to be

gender-neutral instead of gender-specific▸ Counterargument: Men are more dirty / messy than

women


SECOND APPROACH▸ Modify multi-occupancy facilities to be more private▸ Counterargument: Too expensive


FEASIBILITY▸ It is important to be realistic when considering the

passing of such a law in a state like Texas▸ Therefore, efforts of proponents of this law may be

better focused on implementing smaller changes▸ They will meet less political resistance by

opponents of this debate▸ They will add up in the long-run, making significant

impacts on the lives of transgender people


CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY▸ Transgender Day of Remembrance ▸ Annual observance on November 20th to honor those

who have lost their lives in acts of anti-transgender violence

▸ http://tdor.info/

capstone course final presentation: discrimination against transgender people

Presentations & Public Speaking