Oct 14, 2005  |  By: CHRIS CRAIN  | COMMENTS     

before trans protections are viewed as favorably as protections based on sexual orientation.

Ironically, many trans activists label gays who won’t accept the trans-jacking of our civil rights as “selfish,” even though the label would seem to apply far more squarely on the transgendered advocates. We’re not asking them to wait for our civil rights before they can press for theirs.

And when the tables are turned, we don’t necessarily see the same degree of forbearance from our trans allies. For example, trans activists are fond of pointing out that couples that include a transgender partner are already able to marry in many jurisdictions, under hetero-only marriage laws.

That’s because some states don’t recognize gender transition, allowing a biological male who has transitioned to female to marry another woman. And many transgendered people are interested romantically in those of the gender opposite of the one they’ve transitioned to. They can marry under hetero-only marriage laws in states that recognize gender transition.

Finally, the term “transgendered” includes many who are heterosexual and do not even identify with the larger “LGBT community.” This includes those who cross-dress for fun or sexual gratification. They can still marry, of course.

But you won’t see trans activists arguing that any of these trans couples should forego their freedom to marry until same-sex couples can marry as well. Nor should they.

We should cheer the freedom of trans couples to marry, just as they should cheer our workplace protections, and we should support equality for all without “trans-jacking” or “gay-jacking” anyone.