Gainesville, FL - Frontline Report

[DeliaTS]

I've been reading Michelle's journal for a few years now and thought I'd share her latest entry about her experience in Gainesville:

For those of you who haven't been watching Transgender News sites lately, Gainesville (where I live) passed a law on Tuesday covering gender identity in its list of things you can't discriminate against. Eric, the pet, and I went down to city hall after some of the local trans community asked us to show up in support since there was apparently to be a host of conservative religious types showing up to bible bash and be ignorant. As it turned out, we certainly weren't disappointed on that front.


See the rest of her account here: http://theemeraldqueen.livejournal.com/2008/02/02/
Definately worth the read!!

[Jim Beaux]

I'd appreciate an intro to the difference between federal, state and city legislation (sorry - is Gainsville a city? disctrict?).

Anti-TS discrimination was passed at UK national level in 2004 and it seems odd that it looks like it's being tackled very piecemeal in the US. Please enlighten.

[DeliaTS]

Here's a pretty good overview Jim: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_States

Basically what has happened with transgender anti discrimination legislation is that it continually stalls out at the federal level for a wide variety of reasons, mostly political. So many states have taken it on in one form or another. In some states where they have not been able to pass anything at the state level (like Florida) there has been some headway made at a local level: county/township/city laws and ordinances (which is what is happening in Gainesville).

[Jim Beaux]

Thanks, Delia, for both bits of your answer.

The ability to pass laws in all areas where a higher legal body hasn't was news.

Things do vary from city to city here, but in the main only the things you'd expect, like building regulations. I tried to think of the most substantial thing that might differ city to city and I can only come up with one. London is the only city that works a congestion charge, where you have to pay about $15 per day to take your car into the central area (that's to enter in your car, any parking would be extra). Which is not is the same league as the things your cities can legislate on.

Thanks again.

[tgirlzoe]

michelle is also an internet friend of mine. she is not only beautiful and sexy but politically active. the two don't usually go together but it has worked to enable some people to grasp the reality of transsexuality. we are women, regardless of what is or was between our legs. we deserve the same freedom from discrimination that other women enjoy.