Talking About The Ts or Activism In Daily Life
Yesterday was Transgender Day of Remembrance and I felt called to be vocal about it with my co-workers. My company's non-discrimination policy does not cover sexual orientation or gender identity but luckily for me, New York state's legislation includes sexual orientation. I composed an email explaining the Day of Remembrance, listing those people remembered this year, and explaining the pending national hate crimes legislation. I also gave information about employment non-discrimination and how gender identity isn't yet covered under NY law--though, hopefully it will be soon! I concluded by telling them ways they could help out: by contact their elected officials regarding hate crimes and GENDA, by contacting my parent company about revising the non-discrimination policy, or by creating our own separate policy.
It was scary.
Having braved Equality Ride and even the Right to Marry campaign, one might think I've got it down. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous as I prepared to press send. It is important and it needs to be said and so I hit send.
2 comments:
Well done... it is beautiful to see that you are continually claiming and finding your voice... how was their response?
Actually, one of my co-workers (who normally does not work out of our main office) responded by thanking me for sending it out and relating how he did not have the courage to come out at work until much later in life--and still has not made mention of it to our staff here. That alone made it worth it.
I do plan on talking to our SVP and President about revising the policies in place here. If/When that happens, I'll be sure to let you know.
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