Nikki Araguz
In securing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, national and regional LGBTQ organizations have not typically been supportive of or engaged in transgender rights and issues. For many of these organizations the “T” for transgender is merely a silent “T” or an accessory.
Routinely at transgender-themed events, I see that virtually no non-trans gay and lesbians leaders and community members attend unless they are partnered with a trans person. In spite of all the publicity and outreach in the queer press and directly to LGBTQ orgs, I see precious few non-trans gays and lesbians at TransForm events and Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR.) Last year one well-known “international” LGBT organization, the Equality Forum, acted thoughtlessly and with great hubris when it organized a memorial for a gay male victim of violence the same night as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Phyllis Randolph Frye, the well-known transgender attorney from Houston whose clients include trans widow Nikki Araguz, sent out an e-mail Sunday slamming national gay-rights groups for ignoring the issue of “‘tranny’ same-sex marriage” in Texas.
Although the plight of Mrs. Araguz and her fight for justice has been covered by the mainstream media and some queer press outlets and blogs, Lesbian/Gay organizations have not even offered a tepid or token respond. In referencing recent marriage equality struggles in California and Maine, Ms Frye raises critical questions,
Where is the same national support given for the L and G same-sex marriage struggles?” she added. “Has it remained nonexistent for over six weeks now because this Texas fight is insignificantly and merely a ‘tranny’ same-sex marriage fight, so who nationally gives a shit? Then are we a National LGBT-inclusive community, but NOT when it comes to financing the ‘tranny’ same-sex marriage fights?
Mrs. Araguz is in a fight for marriage equality, for the recognition of her identity, for human dignity. You can learn more about Mrs. Araguz’ story at MetroWeekly.
Maybe I need to readjust my thinking. As a ciswoman and a lesbian, I do avoid trans specific events, because I don’t want to intrude. I don’t want my presence to offend or trigger anybody. According to who ever wrote this article, it is okay for me to go to trans spaces? I just feel like that is so rude of me. If a man showed up at my woman’s group, I am certain some people would feel uncomfortable. Is a cis person welcome at a trans event? Is there a better way for cis people to show support?
I am a genderqueer lesbian and have considered transitioning to male on and off over the years. Never spoke of this in public until 2 years ago when a Trans woman helped me to discover who I am!
Of course cis ppl are welcome at Trans events.! I think if you just show up and show your support in voice and deeds- that is great. So many people just ignore the Trans community altogether and that is a shame. Tell them you care about all the letters! It’s a good thing.
I am a transsexual woman, and have been to many trans events. I would love for any accepting person however they identify themselves to please show up to these events!
Support and understanding can best develop through a willingness to involve oneself.
Please visit us!
katie
I’m a WBT and while I have run/facilitated transsexual/transgender events and work for TS/TG rights I rarely go to Transgender Events.
Because I’m not transgender. Transgender is this socially constructed political identity that has arisen in the last 15 years.
I came out and had SRS some 40 years ago. I’m a Second Wave feminist and a lesbian.
When I go to TG events I either teach or speak as a person in history or work for the rights but the events themselves are addressing things that haven’t been part of my life for many years.
When I came out TS/TG wasn’t real a part of the G/L Communities
Nikki is a woman, one born transsexed and possibly, from the accounts, intersexed. She is not “transgender” although enormous pressure has been placed on her as the cost of any support to cop to that political label.
After being a former trans activist, I am not welcome at transgender events, organizers have made that quite clear even though I am the one responsible for uncovering and writing about the transsexual priestesses in the ancient Goddess traditions.
While I am completely supportive of gay and lesbian rights and am bisexual myself, I will no longer attend Pride events either due to the out and out betrayal by Gay Inc. of the rights of heterosexual women of transsexed history and the transgender identified people as well as lesbian and gay men and women of transsexed history. Nikki is going to lose this case and the only people who will suffer as a result will be heterosexual, fully transitioned and surgically corrected women. Oh there will be much pissing and moaning but in the end, as always, those of us who are part of the sexual/gender binary will be the ones paying the piper.
Those in favour of same-sex marriage in Texas want Ms Araguz to lose.
That’s because there are a number of lesbian marriages involving Trans people in Texas, which are considered legal because the Trans partner had a male birth certificate originally. These would be imperilled should Ms Araguz win.
Besides which – she’s straight, so why should GLB groups care if her marriage is invalidated?