I don’t know that I’ve ever been prouder to be trans than I am this morning. For many of us watching these hearings is an emotional thing. I know it was for me.
I captured the streaming audio or the hearing up until the Q&A period at the end (the dogs were running around and unplugged the computer!). Still, that’s 2 hours worth of amazing stuff. I hope to break it down into smaller pieces and to make it available to anyone who wants to hear it sometime soon.
Some of the written testimony is already available online:
- Shannon Minter testimony (read it here)
- Diego Sanchez testimony (read it here)
- Sabrina Marcus Taraboletti testimony (read it here)
- Diane Schroer testimony (read it here)
- HRC has published statements that have been provided for the Congressional Record, but were not part of the public proceedings (see them here)
If you get the chance to listen when I post this online I think you’ll find it well worth the time. It was an amazing morning. One friend called to thank me for all the work I and others have done over the past several years to help move this ball forward. It’s good to feel that we all play a role in this, and in what will happen next.
If people want to send me their thoughts on the hearings I’m happy to post them here. I view this as more of a community discussion than something that one or two or three of us can or should lead.
It was fun to watch the hearings and see people I know in the background. I saw Lisa Mottet, Donna Cartright, Mara, Samir Luther from HRC, and others.
I do want to say that I sent a heartfelt note of thanks to Joe and the staff at HRC. I, for one, do appreciate their efforts here on more than simply a casual level. This is all still very personal for me. Whether anyone wants to recognize it or not they played a significant role in making this hearing happen and I’d put myself in the potentially unpopular position of defending them on it. I refuse to accept that their efforts were purely self-serving and, frankly, I think those kinds of charges are unfair. They have the connections. They have the experience. They’re motivated. And, as I’ve said before, I do believe that they want an all-inclusive ENDA next time around as much as we do. Nobody wants to go through that again. Certainly, this hearing was a coalition effort to plan, prepare, and execute but I don’t think it’s fair to recognize all the other groups and to leave them out.
There is already some preliminary response to the hearing available online: Pam’s House Blend. I’m sure there will be more soon. What impact will all of this have? It’s too early to tell. All I know is that it impacted me. There are times when it’s important to be reminded that the hard work and emotion that we pour into our passions are making a difference. This was one of those times, right when I needed it.
I saw the entire hearing as well. TAVA’s Vice president, Angela Brightfeather attended. I was impressed with what Barney said, but I had to keep reminding myself that he is a politician, and knows how to play the game well. Words are cheap. Will he walk the walk, or will it all be hollow words. Only time will tell.
I somehow have the ending scene to Raiders of the Lost Arc flashing across my mind. Indy went through hell and back to finally take posession of one of the most historic artifacts ever known. After all that work to find it, the Arc was placed in a wooden crate and stored away in a huge warehouse, never to be seen again.
Somehow, I get the feeling that this historical event will find its way into a folder, on a computer in some back office of just one Congress person, never to be accessed again. Good thing transgender people have long memories and computers of our own.
Is it on YouTube yet?
Donna,
For the first time in 14 years I can say I’m actually proud to be a transsexual. I cried through much of the morning’s congressional hearings … never having imagined I would see this in my lifetime. So much is happening in society for us right now … The marriage equality movement here in California is certainly a huge part of the picture, ENDA, the recent AMA statement, and now the hearings.
Donna, I just want to publicly thank you personally for all of hard work you have done over these seven years to make this morning happen. Of course there are many, many people who have been part of it all, but I for one know that it was you in the beginning, and you at the forefront of educating corporate America.
But, even more, it was your single act of defiance by standing up for what you believed in and resigning from the HRC, that sparked the firestorm that made today happen. I know how humble you are, but it was you honey, it was you. I am so proud to be your friend and sister … bless you.
Love, Kate
Donna,
I managed to capture all of the hearing up to about the middle of JC Miller’s testimony, but missed the rest of it except the last 5 minutes or so. I had a meeting, so I couldn’t stay and monitor the download. Apparently, my connection got interrupted. Anyway, if I can help by providing what I managed to download, please let me know.
I very much look forward to being able to watch the rest of the hearing.
Also, I agree with your comments about HRC. If they truly didn’t believe in transgender rights, they wouldn’t have put so much time and effort into making this hearing happen. I am very grateful for all that they did.
Last, I don’t know if you saw it, but Joe Solomnese wrote an article for this morning’s Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-solmonese/gender-identity-discrimin_b_109352.html), which was very passionate and articulate in explaining the importance of today’s hearing and the need for gender identity protections. He closed his article with this: “It is critical that Congress act to protect these, our transgender friends and family, colleagues and neighbors.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Blessings,
Abby
About HRC
“They have the experience. They’re motivated. And, as I’ve said before, I do believe that they want an all-inclusive ENDA next time around as much as we do.”
How soon they forget . . .