LGBT falling apart - disagree with each other
The push behind transgender ideology took some major hits this past week when several prominent feminist, lesbian and gay leaders went public with strong criticism of the ideology underlying the transgender movement that has gripped modern culture. They also sharply criticized the so-called Equality Act, the top legislative priority of LGBT extremists, for being based on a false premise and proposing to codify this false ideology into federal law.
The week began with a panel presentation at The Heritage Foundation led by our friend, Ryan Anderson, Ph.D. (At our NOM Gala in 2014, we honored Anderson with our Public Square Leadership Award.) The panel featured presentations from self-proclaimed "radical feminists" including two who are lesbians.
The panelists rejected the entire basis of trans ideology – that sex is a meaningless social construct and what is important is 'gender identity.' Panelist Julia Beck noted that within the “LGBT” acronym, the LGB segments – lesbians, gays, and bisexuals – base their whole notion of “sexual orientation” upon the fact that sex is innate and not built upon mere stereotypes, the way “gender” is.
While it is clear that we do not agree with many of the viewpoints of these panelists, it is remarkable that even within the so-called LGBT community a division has occurred over the radical gender ideology being promoted by a minority group within a minority movement!
Prominent gay activist Andrew Sullivan, in a long piece written for New York Magazine, concurred with the views of the panelists. Sullivan says The Equality Act, the top legislative priority of the grossly misnamed Human Rights Campaign, "could put all single-sex institutions, events, or groups in legal jeopardy. [...] The bill, in other words, 'undermines the fundamental legal groundwork for recognizing and combating sex-based oppression and sex discrimination against women and girls."
Sullivan goes on to argue in his piece that rather than center the debate on "gender identity" which insists there are no differences between male and female, that society should be focused on "the very real experience of 'gender dysphoria' which deserves treatment and support and total acceptance for the individuals involved." When Andrew Sullivan is balking at an LGBT agenda item, you know things have gotten out of hand...
The testimony of so many prominent LGBT leaders in opposition to transgender ideology and The Equality Act represents a potential fissure in the LGBT community and provides important insight in our efforts to reject this ideology and prevent its imposition though The Equality Act and other legal mechanisms.
Prominent gay activist Andrew Sullivan, in a long piece written for New York Magazine, concurred with the views of the panelists. Sullivan says The Equality Act, the top legislative priority of the grossly misnamed Human Rights Campaign, "could put all single-sex institutions, events, or groups in legal jeopardy. [...] The bill, in other words, 'undermines the fundamental legal groundwork for recognizing and combating sex-based oppression and sex discrimination against women and girls."
Sullivan goes on to argue in his piece that rather than center the debate on "gender identity" which insists there are no differences between male and female, that society should be focused on "the very real experience of 'gender dysphoria' which deserves treatment and support and total acceptance for the individuals involved." When Andrew Sullivan is balking at an LGBT agenda item, you know things have gotten out of hand...
The testimony of so many prominent LGBT leaders in opposition to transgender ideology and The Equality Act represents a potential fissure in the LGBT community and provides important insight in our efforts to reject this ideology and prevent its imposition though The Equality Act and other legal mechanisms.
Gender dysphoria is a serious medical matter and that those suffering from it deserve treatment and our sincere concerns. When someone is confused about their true sex, mistakenly believing they are trapped in the wrong body, very serious problems can result for them. But codifying this confusion by masking it in a redefinition of sex, replacing sex – something that is biologically based and readily evident – with "gender identity" – an amorphous concept based not on biology but on emotions, feelings, and stereotypes – does a grave disservice to everyone.
With the Democrats having taken over control of the US House of Representatives, we can expect a major push in support of The Equality Act. Even with a possible fissure in the LGBT community, a massive effort will be required to stop it. Please help NOM be in a position to make a real difference in this debate and mobilize people at the grassroots level to defeat this dangerous ideology. Will you help with an immediate financial contribution?
