Issues of civil rights for transgender people have recently been in the news, both locally and nationally.
We commend the local school district and parent Tirzah Camacho, for their work and commitment to offer gender neutral bathrooms in Durango schools (Herald, Aug. 11).
We hope restaurants and other businesses will follow suit.
On the national scene, we offer our support and gratitude to transgender people currently serving in the military who have spent their lives protecting Americans and allies overseas. And we give our thanks to the thousands of transgender veterans who have previously served.
Just as we want people to educate themselves on other civil rights issues such as racism, homophobia and disability issues, we call on our Durango community to learn more about the discrimination transgender people face, and speak out on their behalf, recognizing that transgender people have similar goals as everyone else and wish to live their lives in peace.
The military ban is still in process, so you can express your opinion by writing your Congress people as well as the White House (www.whitehouse.gov/contact).
Our vision is for an inclusive and respectful America and, in the words of PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians, Gays and Transgender People), to “create a world where difference is celebrated, and all people are valued inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.”
Kathy Atkins, Richard Allen Butler, Rollie Butler, Linda Daniel, Cheryl Duresky, Elizabeth Norton, Lynne Sholler
Durango
