Seven Steps to Political Equality Assignment
.docx
School
Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
ENGL 111
Subject
Political Science
Date
Dec 21, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by ColonelDangerPigeon35
Seven Steps to Political Equality AssignmentThe first step in the journey to reaching political equality is to rename the discriminatory labels being given to the group being targeted. In T’s case, this would be transgenderism. The concept of being transgender has long been attacked, with slurs such as “tranny” and “faggot” being used as ways to mock those who identify as a gender other than the one they were born as (https://slate.com/human-interest/2014/05/is-tranny-a-slur-or-an-identity-who-decides.html, https://www.adl.org/media/6788/download). While trying to use his desired restroom, T was harassed and when using the boy’s restroom, was even physically harmed. The students who harmed T had used the offensive term “fag” to describe T, which further highlighted the necessity of changing the terms used in the talk about transgenderism. After being shunned awayfrom both restrooms, T decided it was time the school implemented a special restroom where him and other trans students would not be discriminated against. This effort was cut short by the principal, who like many of T’s peers, does not likely fully support transgenderism. To change the views and terms surrounding transgenderism and replace them with more positive ones, T could do a variety of things. One way T could help achieve this would be by joining a local trans or LGBTQ+ rights advocacy group. There, he could meet people like him who are also interestedin pushing for more positive labels to be attributed to transgenderism. He could also use social media platforms to help spread awareness to the cause, like many others do today. Slowly, this awareness and normalization of being transgender expands and the term “transgender” begins being used more than the offensive terms. Secondly, in order to achieve transgender equality, T and others like him will need to partake in protests and political discourse to have their voices heard and their rights established. In 2016, when North Carolina passed a trans restroom rights bill known as “HB 2,” waves of protestors took to the streets to show their dismay over the discriminatory bill. HB 2 made it illegal for transgender people to use the restroom they felt comfortable using, which is somewhatsimilar to the situation T is dealing with, although what T wants is a separate restroom where he could safe (https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article68401147.html, https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-rights-fight-reignited-4-years-after-n-c-s-n1250390#anchor-HB2soriginstory). T could start this process by joining trans rights protests in his area, where he could then bring up his issue with the organizers and members in an attempt to
bring about awareness in his area. He could also send letters to his representatives, so the issue catches political traction. The next important step in achieving political equality is changing how the country, or in T’s case, the community looks at transgender rights and freedoms with positive stories. This stepis crucial because this is ultimately what leads to the normalization and progression of a group and its rights. Stories about successful, history-making transgender individuals have been fairly scarce in the United States’ history, but in recent years, this has started changing. In 2008, Isis King became “the first trans model to be featured on the reality competition” “America’s Next Top Model” (https://www.glaad.org/blog/timeline-look-back-history-transgender-visibility). Thesame year, America’s first trans mayor was elected (https://www.glaad.org/blog/timeline-look-back-history-transgender-visibility). One of the most widely known trans individuals in U.S. is Caitlyn Jenner, who, prior to transitioning, was an Olympic medalist. After coming out as trans, Jenner has gone on to run for governor of California and host several TV shows (https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/transgender-celebrities-you-need-to-know/13/). All these stories have helped to raise awareness to the issues trans people face and to progress society’s view of the group. If T could get his story out there, perhaps to local rights groups and local news stations, it could be the spark that sets off the chain of events needed to change his principal’s mind and secure his restroom rights. T is likely not the only trans student at his school, so if he could form a group of all the trans kids there and help their stories of discrimination and neglected rights reach the public, it could help to further push for the need fora special restroom. This is where T’s push for a special restroom begins to catch the eye primarily of local and state legislators. After changing the way people view and discuss transgenderism, then protesting and getting the issue into the eyes of local politicians, and then getting his and others’ stories out there to his community, local and state governments begin taking action to address theissue. Typically, this will be done through reform bills that will later be built on by higher up courts and governments. In T’s case, the local and state governments will likely start passing small bills that require schools to allow trans students to use the restroom of their preference before requiring a special restroom be implemented in T’s school. Since this topic is one of controversy between both political parties, it will likely not be easy to pass these bills, especially
considering the town T lives in, which is very conservative. But if these bills get passed it will lay the groundwork for the next steps that eventually will lead to T getting the change he wants.After the previous steps have been successfully executed, it’s time for the president to address the issue with an executive order. One recent instance of an executive order being passedto address trans discrimination was the “Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” order passed by president Biden last year (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation/). It set the precedent that Biden’s administration would protect gender/sexual orientation and that these rights were protected under the Constitution (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation/). Toget his message to the executive branch quickly, T could try sending letters to the president and his advisors. While T’s situation has been catching attention throughout his state and local governments, leading to other situations around the country being highlighted, the president and his office eventually begin to take notice. Biden, seeing the problems facing trans students, passes an executive order requiring schools to explore options for those who feel uncomfortable using the traditional men and women’s restrooms. This step, although crucial in the process, precedes an even more significant step on the journey to reform in America. It makes sense that Congress, with the power to pass all major bills and programs in America, would be one of the most effective tools in the reform process. In America’s history, Congress has often been the force that delivers oppressed groups their deserved rights, whether itfreeing African Americans from the cruel system of slavery, or helping give women the ability tohave their voice heard through voting (https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv, https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/19th-amendment#:~:text=Passed%20by%20Congress%20June%204,decades%20of%20agitation%20and%20protest). After pursuing hisrights and gathering the attention of the country, T is finally about to see his efforts pay off. Congress will likely hold many hearings to determine how the bill should be shaped and pushed forward and many disagreements between the two parties will play out. If all goes as T hopes,
the majority of Congress will vote in favor of passing a bill that requires all schools to implementa special, gender-neutral restroom. T’s and other trans students’ wish for a special restroom is at last granted after Congress voted in favor of passing a bill called the “No Discrimination in Our Schools’ Restrooms Act.” The act requires all schools to offer an alternative restroom that is either presented as unisex or undefined in its gender requirement. In addition to requiring that schools offer an alternative restroom, the bill also requires school principals and boards to make sure no discrimination of any kind is demonstrated within the special restroom. T and students like him across the country can now use the restroom at their school without having to worry that they will be targeted and harassed because of their identity.Although this would seem to be the end of T’s pursuit for a restroom reform within his school, there is still one more step in the journey. While the bill got passed and the law is currently enacted within T’s school and schools across the country, courts will have the final say on whether or not certain elements of it should be allowed and various aspects will be tried by citizens and lawmakers. Situations like this play out all across the country on a regular basis, with one similar situation to T’s being that of Nicole Maines’. Nicole Maines was transgender and identified as a female despite being born a male. While trying to use her preferred restroom at school, Nicole was harassed and barred from using it. Seeing this as an act of discrimination, Nicole’s parents took the case to their state’s lower court, where it sided with the school. Unhappy with this decision made by the court, her parents then brought it to the state’s Supreme Court, where it was eventually decided that Nicole had the right to use her preferred restroom (https://ballotpedia.org/Transgender_bathroom_access_laws_in_the_United_States). If T’s school tries to challenge the new transgender restroom bill passed by Congress, the best way to counter it would be for T to bring it to his state’s lower courts and if needed, to bring it to a higher court for the final say.