The New York Times published a great article on transgender candidates running in this mid-term election. “Advocates Hope Transgender Identity Is Not a Defining One” was the headline.
The article starts with the story of Theresa Sparks, who would be the first transgender person elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The article includes several other examples.
Here’s the quote that stood out for me:
“People aren’t sitting around saying, ‘Gee, I wish we had a transgender judge,’ ” said Mara Keisling, the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality in Washington. “They’re saying, ‘We want a really good judge.’ ” Gay rights activists hope that the visibility of the candidates will help normalize people’s relations with people who are transgender — a broad category that includes heterosexual cross-dressers, homosexual drag queens and kings, and those who believe that they were born in the wrong body.
The paragraph got my attention for two reasons: The first part of the quote is so inspiring. The second part of the quote is explained in such a matter-of-fact manner.
What also stood out for me in the second part of that quote was the fact that by giving readers the broad definition of transgender that the Times was not only reporting but educating, which is a fantastic two-for when you can get it.
And I surely hope this quote in the article is more true than not:
All of which has been hailed by advocates as both a sign of acceptance and, they hope, a sign that actual issues are being valued more than gender stereotypes.