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âDress for Transgender success in Californiaâ
(edited for brevity)California Gov. Gray Davis added fuel to his opponentsâ recall fire by signing a controversial bill that authorizes fines of up to $150,000 for companies or nonprofit groups, such as the Boy Scouts, that discriminate against cross-dressers, transsexuals or drag queens. The governor signed the measure Saturday along with the $71.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2003-4. The move fell under the radar screens of most California media outlets. (He snuck it in) The law, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2004, adds "gender identity or expression" to the characteristics protected under Californiaâs Fair Employment and Housing Act and specifically protects residents whose "perceived gender characteristics are different from those traditionally associated with the individualâs sex at birth." (What the hell does that statement mean?) The Homosexual-rights advocates hail the law as a victory thatâs been a long time in coming. "Itâs a very big issue for the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] community in California," Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, told the Associated Press. "Itâs something weâve been working on for three years." The measure, titled AB 196, was one of a package proposed this year by the five-member Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus. Earlier this year, the state Assembly passed a bill that would award virtually all the rights of marriage to homosexual "domestic partners." The Senate is expected to take it up next month. "Having a law that specifically states whoâs protected makes it clear to employers that the majority of people in California want transgender people to be able to work in a nondiscriminatory environment," said Chris Daley, co-director of the Transgender Law Center in San Francisco. (His mom must be proud!) Arguing for its necessity, the billâs sponsor, Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco (where else) ,cites a 1999 study by the San Francisco Department of Public Health indicating the cityâs transgender population had a 70 percent unemployment rate. (I bet the way they dressed (pun intended) for the interview has a lot to do with why they are not hired.) "We must do everything in our power to protect such fundamental human rights," he said. Opponents call the move bad for business. Employer groups such as the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association warn the lawâs overly subjective definitions will spawn frivolous lawsuits. Just about any comment or action between workers could be grounds for a lawsuit, they contend. (Frivolous lawsuits? This is California, we invented that!) Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy of Monrovia was one of several members who spoke about how the measure harms California businesses during debate in the Assembly. (Jobs, exit stage right) "If I have a Christian bookstore, how could I possibly follow this law?" he asked. "How could I possibly have an employee thatâs here today in a dress, tomorrow may come in a suit, and then stay in a dress? How can I possibly employ this employee and still have the Christian bookstore and live by my faith?" Randy Thomasson, executive director of Campaign for California Families, a statewide family issues leadership organization, describes the law as "attacking persons of conscience." "Average people think itâs outrageous to force the sex-change lifestyle upon businesses and Boy Scouts. Gray Davis has apparently lost his senses," he said. "With his signature on AB 196, Davis has declared war on Californians who object to sex-change operations." As WorldNetDaily reported, Davisâ signature will likely motivate opponents to turn out in greater numbers for the Oct. 7 recall vote. (You bet! Watch the voter turn out next month) Opponents of the "cross-dresser bill" plan to hold a news tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the State Treasurerâs Building in Sacramento to highlight the lawâs detrimental effect on business. Speakers will include Thomasson and other pro-family leaders, including local ministers representing black, white and Latino voters. "By supporting the transsexual agenda that hurts everyone else, Gray Davis has earned his recall," said Thomasson. "The in-your-face transsexual agenda makes voters very angry. ... Gray Davis tried to hide his actions by signing this radical sex-change bill under cover of the budget, but he wonât get away with it." As a personal note I think that anybody should have the right to live anyway they want. You want to a cocktail dress and your a man, go for it. However, I should have the right to hire whomever I please and whomever I feel would help my business. If I lose business because my customers donât (or care to) âunderstandâ the guy in the dress, will the state make that up. Note: I have NEVER seen any of these transgender types working at the Capital. If Davis and gang are so âtolerantâ why donât they hire them? Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-08-04 |
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