“...Being LGBT does not make you less human, and that's why gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights...”
former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
SouthSide is a proud parent and fully supports her children as well as
friends and everyone else who is part of the LGBTQ community.
After a warm and friendly welcome by Patty and Michael of
Equality Illinois, SouthSide attended her first session – Transgender 101 and
came out of it wanting to learn as well as discuss more about what’s happening
not only within the LGBT community but also the in-fighting within the
Transgender community that her own son is experiencing (i.e. the sense of
“entitlement” or “...you don’t understand what I’m going through...” online).
Session leader, Owen Daniel-McCarter (an attorney at Chicago House) had each
one of us attending to say our name, a little something about ourselves and our
“...preferred pronoun...” which was something this reviewer never thought
before. Yet, later into the session, Owen told us we should ask the Transgender
person what is their preferred pronoun or let them tell us. “...self
identification ...is the best way to go...” suggested Owen, “...let them
identify themselves to you...” She learned how society sees that if you’re born
female/male, you’re expected to have the characteristics and mannerisms of your
respected gender. Yet, a Transgender person born female can identify more as a
male and the same could be said for someone born male identifying as a female
...and then there are those who don’t fit in neither – I (or Questioning).
Other topics discussed were “Transgender Umbrella” in which we labeled the
proper and improper (those negative/offensive) words used to describe
Transgenders like drag, FTM / MTF, tranny, GNC (gender non-conforming), lady
boy, queens and so much more, the two important dates in a Transgender life
(the one when they knew and/or the one when they trans into their “correct”
sex/gender through surgery), the need to educate those within the LGBT
community about discrimination against Transgender people, CIS sexism – the
belief that Trans people don’t exist and the “action steps” that should be
taken and how to be supportive like how it’s very important not to “out” a
person who’s passing at Transgender, interrupting transphobia when it happens
is a big help and being respective of a Transgender’s identity, And if you make
a mistake, it’s very important that we as supporters acknowledge it right away.
SouthSide can attest to that last statement as she adjusts to having a FTM
transgender son and is constantly schooling herself on the proper pronouns (he,
him, his) whenever talking with her son. So much information yet so little time
to really go deeper with this subject. In this reviewer’s opinion, it should
have been split into two sessions – Transgender 101 and 102 because there was
some much left to discuss.
The
lunch panel discussions were based on participants’ questions to the three
featured panelists ranging in subjects like Obama’s support going from here
(especially at the repeal of DADT and support for marriage equality) which he’s
looking into transgender people and military service to hate crime prevention
and lifting the lifetime ban on Bi/Gay men donating blood (participants were
told that will take some time but hopefully with health and medical research,
we can move in the right direction to lift the ban). What most stood out during
the panel was the call for worker’s equality especially for Transgender people
and the caution that we will see more alliances that aren’t politically align
where (for example) you might see Black Baptist ministers aligning with a
political coalition to keep a band on marriage equality. There was some
discussion about Article 3 of DOMA yet there still needs to be clarity on other
things like Social Security and military benefits as Illinois prepares
(statewide) to enact marriage equality on June 1st. Rousing applause could be
heard throughout the room when participants were informed that it was the tenth
anniversary of marriage equality in Massachusetts ...but we still have a long
way to go with marriage equality. Other topics included cyber bullying (need to
know the hate crime laws and how navigate through them (Meg Gorecki offered to
send information to those who were interested), the international memorandum on
LGBTQ rights on a global level, a continuing discussion about LGBTQ youth
homelessness (especially in Chicago), and the 2014 mid-term elections
(“...there are ways around the money ...people power can win ...let’s not use
the billionaires and money as an excuse ...nothing is automatic ...it’s about
working our tails off...” ~ U.S. Rep Jan Schakowsky).
Wow. Now that was a good lunch discussion, blogspot readers.
It was time to join an afternoon session during the LGBT
Equality Institute Program which included Access to Health Care as a Civil
Rights Issue – about unique service provision, cultural competence, access,
education and public policy components; and Transgender Legal Advocacy –
answers the question “what happens when non-discrimination legislation is not
enough?”. SouthSide attended What can people of faith do to support LGBT
equality? which featured guest panelists Stacy McGaskill (Reconciling Journey)
and Pastor Vernice Thorn (Broadway Methodist Church) with Chris Prett acting as
moderator. The institute did reach out to the Muslim and Jewish communities but
there were scheduling problems that prevented the persons from attending.
Pastor Thorn shared how Broadway is all about inclusion especially those who
are LGBTQ. “...it’s important to welcome people...” and make them feel included even
during church services. Also she said that Broadway has not only a mission
statement but an inclusion statement that’s read during the service ...plus
during Black History and Pride months – it’s about people working together not
just Black History being about Black people and Pride being solely exclusive to
the LGBTQ community. “..I’m angry when people are mistreated unfairly ...my
ministry is about healing those wounds...” On the other hand, Stacy McGaskill,
who didn’t come out as lesbian until she was thirty, sees the church as a
battleground between faith-based and LGBTQ faith-based to which each will have
to face to end the fight of non-inclusivity. She saw many churches/faith-based
people grouped into two positions – A: All inclusion ...God created me gay and
on the flipside B: Yes, this may be genetic but I believe the Scriptures call
me to live the life but as single (i.e. celibate). She also mentioned how faith
communities do a huge service being LGBTQ allies yet are also the ones who work
against the LGBTQ community (for example – marriage equality). “...sometimes we
expect immediate acceptance but don’t work on patience...” 
Pastor Thorn also
commented on that statement by advising “...be patient...” to the “envelope
pushers” and keep building allies at the end of the session. Stacy suggested
“...be out [but] stay in a safe place and open ...stay true to what God’s
calling you to do...” SouthSide was able to spend some time with Stacy
McGaskill for some advice what’s happening in her own personal life with her
family. Being in the middle supporting her children and having a faith-based
father who’s still adjusting to having a FTM transgender grandson, it’s hard,
blogspot readers, but she did appreciate Stacy’s advice about being there for
both and be patient without shutting out unaccepting family members
..acceptance will take time. Other afternoon sessions include Addiction and the LGBTQI Community - a workshop that provide an in-depth look at addiction within the community whether it was alcohol/drugs or process addictions (sex, porn, gambling) with tips for treatment; LGBTQ Priorities for Immigration Reform - "...marriage recognition is only one step to reforming an immigration system that addresses the full needs of the LGBTQ community..."; LGBT Older Adults: Preparing for the Age Wave - as we age, there's a rapidly growing number of LGBT older adults in need of services; The State of the State - discover what else needs to be addressed and done to secure and protect the rights of LGBT Illinoisans after a post marriage equality age; So you want to run for office? - learn how to make that bold step in making a change by running for a political office and how to make that dream a reality; and Bird's Eye View of LGBT Equality - what has happened over a course of a year for the community. The day ended with closing remarks. 
After attending this day-long event, blogspot readers, this reviewer learned that the LGBTQ have made significant strides and gained considerable ground (besides marriage equality) with acceptance and equality however there's plenty left to accomplish. She recently received an email from Patty Dillion of Equality Illinois who echoes the same sentiment as SouthSide. "..so much [left] to do..." Patty went on to say in the email that one key priority now is improving the lives of the LGBT youth such as "...work to pass a stronger anti-bullying bill that would increase protections for all youth in schools. It would require school districts to keep track of their bullying incidents..." as well as "...key federal issues of Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Student Non-Discrimination Act, and the blood ban on gay and bisexual men with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and officials from the White House and Department of Justice..." She then ended the email with the following statement - "...We have much more work to do to achieve full LGBT equality. And we look forward to working with our community to find ways to move forward on the issues that affect our daily lives including transgender rights, access to healthcare, faith inclusiveness, youth homelessness, immigration, and senior and housing issues..." Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide
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