Since @RepCicilline/@DavidCicilline introduced it, people ask us "Why is a group dedicated to LGB rights concerned about the Equality Act? What's not to like about a law that protects people from being discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation?"
A thread! /1
A thread! /1
There are some wonderful (and overdue!) things in the Equality Act that we welcome. Of course!
But while we applaud the parts of the Act that advance LGB rights, we feel that despite being well-meaning, the bill acts as a kind of Trojan Horse for homophobia and misogyny. /2
But while we applaud the parts of the Act that advance LGB rights, we feel that despite being well-meaning, the bill acts as a kind of Trojan Horse for homophobia and misogyny. /2
As a community, the gay movement has waited so long for some of the important changes in the Equality Act, many aren't thinking critically about the trouble contained in it. To be clear, the problem WITHIN the Equality Act is NOT trans people, it is something ideological. /3
We fully support protection against discrimination for trans people. Unfortunately by equating sex with gender identity, the Act has disastrous implications for LGB people as well as women! We hope you'll listen to our warnings, and not make us into a modern-day Cassandra! /4
A clue to the dangers came in President Biden's Executive Order. On the one hand it says "All persons should receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation." Wonderful! We agree. But the details were troubling... /5
... The EO instructs federal agencies how to interpret SCOTUS's Bostock ruling, but makes the critical mistake of EQUATING sex with gender identity. In over 200 hundred times the majority mentions "sex" even the one time it mentions "gender identity" it doesn't equate the two. /6
That might not SOUND like big deal. But it is.
We're same-SEX attracted. Our same sex attraction is the basis for the discrimination - for the homophobia - we've faced in the law and in society. /7
We're same-SEX attracted. Our same sex attraction is the basis for the discrimination - for the homophobia - we've faced in the law and in society. /7
A homophobic society told us our same-sex attraction was wrong. That it was immoral. This idea ruined countless lives.
Now, we are being told that our sexuality is immoral AGAIN. Now, unless we base our sexuality on someone else's gender identity NOT their sex, we are WRONG. /8
Now, we are being told that our sexuality is immoral AGAIN. Now, unless we base our sexuality on someone else's gender identity NOT their sex, we are WRONG. /8
It's not compulsory. But there is already pressure on lesbians and gay men to be "open" to opposite sex partners. Especially lesbians, who are called bigoted if they aren't interested in transwomen.
Prof. @Docstockk highlights the absurdity here:
thearticle.com/can-biological… /9
Prof. @Docstockk highlights the absurdity here:
thearticle.com/can-biological… /9
As proposed, the Equality Act will enshrine this gaslighting of lesbians into law. That's bad enough. But the confused equation of gender identity with sex will also make a huge impact outside of lesbian and gay sexuality.
SPORTS.
Just one example:
/10
SPORTS.
Just one example:
/10
School sports are a crucial route to success and college. Girls are now unfairly facing competitors who have the biological advantage of having been born male.
Research from biologist Dr. Emma Hilton/@FondOfBeetles shows the advantage is overwhelming:
savewomenssports.com/science /11
Research from biologist Dr. Emma Hilton/@FondOfBeetles shows the advantage is overwhelming:
savewomenssports.com/science /11
As if that wasn't bad enough @AbigailShrier has described the impact of the Equality Act's confusion of sex with gender identity as a present danger to women's safety.
She's right. We applaud her clarion call to defend women's single sex spaces.
wsj.com/articles/the-t… /12
She's right. We applaud her clarion call to defend women's single sex spaces.
wsj.com/articles/the-t… /12
The most shocking example may be the policies that place biological men in women's prisons, putting the most vulnerable women in danger; harassment & assaults in Canadian prisons is but one example among many countries.
@Mason134211f tells her story:
/13
@Mason134211f tells her story:
/13
So what do we suggest instead?
We call on Congress to amend the Equality Act and NOT conflate biological sex with gender identity. As Bostock demonstrated, it is NOT necessary to redefine sex as the Act proposes in order to protect transgender people from discrimination. /14
We call on Congress to amend the Equality Act and NOT conflate biological sex with gender identity. As Bostock demonstrated, it is NOT necessary to redefine sex as the Act proposes in order to protect transgender people from discrimination. /14
The good goals of the Equality Act are attainable! Look the gift horse in the mouth and reject homophobia and misogyny! We can protect all LGBT people without inadvertently harming LGB people, women, and girls!
Tell your representative to support an AMENDED Equality Act! /15/
Tell your representative to support an AMENDED Equality Act! /15/
Contact them now:
- phone, Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
- online: democracy.io
Not sure what to say? Check out these guides:
-The Coalition for Feminist Amendments:
docs.google.com/document/d/1Gb…
- FIST @FeministStruggl:
feministstruggle.org/faea/
#AmendTheEqualityAct!
- phone, Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
- online: democracy.io
Not sure what to say? Check out these guides:
-The Coalition for Feminist Amendments:
docs.google.com/document/d/1Gb…
- FIST @FeministStruggl:
feministstruggle.org/faea/
#AmendTheEqualityAct!
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
