Cook County Votes to Protect Transgender Rights

AP via CBS2-Chicago ^ | November 20, 2002 | AP

[LurkedLongEnough]

Human rights groups praised the Cook County Board for joining Chicago in protecting transgendered people from discrimination.

The move Tuesday added people acting or identifying themselves as members of the opposite sex to the list of groups protected from housing and job discrimination. One member voted "present."

"We already had a human rights ordinance, so this just extended some of those same rights and protections to what can often be described as a gender variant community," said Chicago Democratic Commissioner Mike Quigley, one of the ordinance amendment's sponsors.

Rick Garcia, political director of the advocacy group Equality Illinois, said the action is significant because the city and county contain about 5.4 million people -- more than most states.

"Transgendered people traditionally have been some of the most abused, most discriminated against minorities in society," he said. "We've had a number of documented cases of discrimination against transgendered people in Cook County and Chicago."

Illinois Gender Advocates, which calls itself an advocacy group for the transgender community, also issued a statement praising the vote.

The amendment was also sponsored by Board President John Stroger and commissioner John Daley.

[LurkedLongEnough]

"There is a level of cowardice lower than that of the conformist: the fashionable non-conformist."

[SamAdams76]

"We've had a number of documented cases of discrimination against transgendered people in Cook County and Chicago."

So how exactly is this "amendment" going to prevent this? Liberals are so silly with their laws and declarations and such. Like some dude is going to walk into a Chicago bar in a dress now and the local roughnecks are going to say "Gee, we can't give this fairy a hard time because there's some new amendment prohibiting us from doing so."

[pabianice]

Ahhh... but what of trans-species rights? I smell the next law suit (and with my canine nose, it's easy)...

[IronJack]

what can often be described as a gender variant community

And a sow in a tutu can be described as a ballerina. But it doesn't mean she can pirouette.

[Alex Murphy]

That's all fine and dandy, but how is Zogby going to refer to them in exit polls?

[hunter112]

I smell the next law suit (and with my canine nose, it's easy)...

Thanks, damn funny, almost got me busted for LOL in class!

So, anyone know the difference (if any) between "transgendered" and "transexual"?

[Right Wing Professor]

So, anyone know the difference (if any) between "transgendered" and "transexual"?

Thirty years of political correctness.

[txzman]

The Democrats are firmly in control of the state of Illinois.

Now having firmed up their control, they begin the process of Califoniazation.

And this is what liberals and blacks are voting for? It seems to me that gay and transgendered 'people' get much more legislative support and activity than blacks ever did.

All minorities get is the same Democratic fear-mongering. The GOP needs to make minorities understand that it is the Democrats who use their bodies and their votes, while spitting at them behind their backs.

[Dan from Michigan]

Transgendereds? I call them "its".

[SwinneySwitch]

I'm still hung up on bi-sexual!

[Argh]

Pardon my ignorance, but how can I discriminate in housing and jobs against the transgendered when they're not likely to tell me or give me visual proofs (yuck!) of what they are?

[txzman]

Pardon my ignorance, but how can I discriminate in housing and jobs against the transgendered when they're not likely to tell me or give me visual proofs (yuck!) of what they are?

Uh, the first time you see a "woman" with a five-o'clock shadow and an adams apple, you'll know....

[stylin19a]

The move Tuesday added people acting or identifying themselves as members of the opposite sex...

Are these transvestites ? transexuals ? both ?

Let's say a guy get's a sex change and is now considered a woman.. does she now have to identify herself a man to be covered under this ?

Is there anything that is considered deviate anymore ?

[Argh]

Thank you. I've obviously had the good fortune not to run into one yet.