house Bill H.R. 5812
Should Gender Identity Not be Considered a Protected Class Under Federal Regulations?
Argument in favor
Federal agencies shouldn’t be broadening the definitions of “sex” or “gender” to include “gender identity” when enforcing civil rights laws or regulations unless Congress passes a law to that effect.
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09/30/2016
Why can't we all have equal civil rights? Why does the government want to put people in classifications where one is more important than another. A crime is a crime, no matter who is targeted. Treat all people the same.
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09/30/2016
I like the (slightly edited) opinion given by Countable member "JSB":
"You can 'identify' as any gender you want but biologically you are either female or male. As such, it is not for the government to get involved in the gender identity business. If that becomes the case what about people born white but "identify" as black, or vice-versa? What if you claim you "identify" as an animal rather than a person? It may sound silly to some, but if ONE is considered a valid argument, then ALL should be considered valid. And, by the way, we ARE $19 trillion (and counting) in debt, with a border the consistency of swiss cheese, and [an infrastructure that's vulnerable] to EMP attacks. Yet THIS is [considered a] pressing concern?!?"
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09/30/2016
This is the United States of America there is no class system, all Citizens have the same set of laws and protections there is no one above the law there is no ruling class and there is no under class only Citizens or non citizen no special classes!
Argument opposed
Congress is not in a hurry to pass legislation extending civil rights protections to transgendered persons and as a result they may face discrimination. Federal agencies should regulate to pick up that slack.
09/30/2016
For those of you who are unaware, there are indeed more than two sexes (male and female). Intersex people have been medicalized and assimilated into the dichotomous "ideal." I do not support this bill, now nor ever, for two reasons: 1) gender should be a protected identity under federal discrimination law, and 2) it should not be interpreted from sex under current stature because it's slightly more complex than - and equally as important as - identities of ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. As the comments have shown, misunderstanding remains endemic to the American mind rather than critical thought or radical care.
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09/30/2016
Race, Sex, Age, Physical or Mental Disability, etc. are all protected classes. We should be allowed to extend protection to groups of people who are not currently protected. If you can't understand the difference between sex (biological) and gender (social construct created by man) then you have even less say in the matter that effects real people's lives.
Why can't we all have equal civil rights? Why does the government want to put people in classifications where one is more important than another. A crime is a crime, no matter who is targeted. Treat all people the same.
For those of you who are unaware, there are indeed more than two sexes (male and female). Intersex people have been medicalized and assimilated into the dichotomous "ideal." I do not support this bill, now nor ever, for two reasons: 1) gender should be a protected identity under federal discrimination law, and 2) it should not be interpreted from sex under current stature because it's slightly more complex than - and equally as important as - identities of ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. As the comments have shown, misunderstanding remains endemic to the American mind rather than critical thought or radical care.
Race, Sex, Age, Physical or Mental Disability, etc. are all protected classes. We should be allowed to extend protection to groups of people who are not currently protected. If you can't understand the difference between sex (biological) and gender (social construct created by man) then you have even less say in the matter that effects real people's lives.
We need to protect people from discrimination in all forms.
It's 2016, it's about time we stop treating these members of the LGBTQ community like second class citizens.
I like the (slightly edited) opinion given by Countable member "JSB":
"You can 'identify' as any gender you want but biologically you are either female or male. As such, it is not for the government to get involved in the gender identity business. If that becomes the case what about people born white but "identify" as black, or vice-versa? What if you claim you "identify" as an animal rather than a person? It may sound silly to some, but if ONE is considered a valid argument, then ALL should be considered valid. And, by the way, we ARE $19 trillion (and counting) in debt, with a border the consistency of swiss cheese, and [an infrastructure that's vulnerable] to EMP attacks. Yet THIS is [considered a] pressing concern?!?"
Any label such as gender identity, used to attack others, should be afforded protection.
This is the United States of America there is no class system, all Citizens have the same set of laws and protections there is no one above the law there is no ruling class and there is no under class only Citizens or non citizen no special classes!
Every single person has a gender identity. This would make every human in the world protected class, and this bill prevents more ridiculous legislation further down the road.
You are either male or female period. Anybody that claims differently should seek professional mental health help. What's next some physcopath claim to be a dog or cat and want special rights for that too?
From what I understand, this bill is strictly saying that people can call them selves whatever they want, but biologically they are either male or female in the eyes of federal government. Which is true. You are or aren't, there's no middle ground here.
I just don't understand how some can justify that certain groups of people should be excluded from protections, especially a group of people that have come under a great deal of discrimination and hatred toward them.
Psychological research has shown time and time again that identifying as anything but the gender with which you were born is a legitimate mental health issue. We should treat people who identify as trans or anything else with compassion, but we shouldn't allow them to force their lunacy on us!
This bill is simply a way to protect bigots' ability to hate.
Anything that expands people's rights and creates equality in a non-harmful way is good by me.
Yet another shameful attempt by the GOP to degrade and classify PEOPLE/HUMAN BEINGS as less then. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! Whoever proposed this need to be fired come November!
American citizens get attacked regularly and frequently for defying gender expectations. That's ridiculous and utterly reprehensible.
Transgender rights are human rights, and because trans* individuals are especially vulnerable re: housing, employment, healthcare, etc., this bill would only serve to further endanger these individuals.