#1412 Trans People as Disposable Chess Pieces in a Despicable Political Game

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 4/17/2021

Today we take a look at the surge of anti-trans legislation coming from Republican-controlled state legislatures. Being concerned that suppressing voter turnout by targeting Black and Brown voters may not be enough to keep them in power, they are resorting to targeting another vulnerable population in the next of their infinite series of attempts to create a wedge issue by pitting people's lives and wellbeing against the prejudices of their constituents.

We also examine the harm being inflicted on trans people, the trans-exclusionary Radical Feminists who have partnered with conservative coalitions to limit trans rights and briefly explore the world of sex-segregated athletics.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Problem with the Focus on the Family - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 4-9-21

We talk Sophie Bjork-James' book, the Divine Institution, to demonstrate how Evangelicals use the nuclear family in order to both attack members of the LGBTQ+ community and detract away from systemic issues related to race and other Public Health issues.

Ch. 2: Debunking Myths About Trans People Part 1 - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 4-10-21

Caller clarifies misinformation of data regarding trans identified youth vs youth referred to gender clinics.

Ch. 3: Trans Day of Visibility Activists Chase Strangio & Raquel Willis Demand Action on Anti-Trans Laws - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-31-21

“We are truly witnessing an escalation of attacks on trans people unlike anything I’ve ever seen in government,” says Chase Strangio. We also speak with journalist and activist Raquel Willis, who says higher visibility for trans people is not enough.

Ch. 4: As Anti-Trans Bills Advance, Trans Journalists Weigh In On 'Privilege' Of Reporting - Consider This from NPR - Air Date 4-9-21

Dr. Joshua Safer, the executive director at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, explains why gender-affirming therapies — such as puberty blockers or hormone treatment — are safe and healthy for trans youth.

Ch. 5: Debunking Myths About Trans People Part 2 - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 4-10-21

Ch. 6: A National Wave of Anti-Trans Bills Part 1 - What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Air Date 3-3-21

The coordinated flood of legislation isn’t new. But now, it’s targeting kids.

Ch. 7: Activism: Tell the Senate to Pass the #EqualityAct to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights, and More - Best of the Left - Air Date 4-17-21

Ch. 8: The "radical feminists" working against trans rights - Post Reports - Air Date 2-26-20

Samantha Schmidt on a strain of feminism that rejects the existence of transgender identity.

Ch. 9: A National Wave of Anti-Trans Bills Part 2 - What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Air Date 3-3-21

Ch. 10: Hudson Taylor: How Rethinking Sex-Segregation in Sports is the Key to Equality - TEDx Talks - Air Date 10-27-16

Hudson Taylor's talk offers the following thesis: If we are to end homophobia and trans-phobia in the world of sports (and in the world at large), we must end sexism and gender stereotyping in sports first.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 11: As Anti-Trans Bills Advance, Trans Journalists Weigh In On 'Privilege' Of Reporting Part 2 - Consider This from NPR - Air Date 4-9-21

Misconceptions about trans people can be shaped by who tells their stories. Three trans journalists weigh in on how that should be done: Imara Jones - creator of TransLash Media, Kate Sosin - reporter at The 19th, Orion Rummler reporter at Axios.

Ch. 12: The Problem with the Focus on the Family Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 4-9-21

We talk Sophie Bjork-James' book, the Divine Institution, to demonstrate how Evangelicals use the nuclear family in order to both attack members of the LGBTQ+ community and detract away from systemic issues related to race and other Public Health issues.

Ch. 13: Archie Crowley: Language around gender and identity evolves (and always has) - TED Talks Daily - Air Date 3-31-21

Sociolinguist Archie Crowley deconstructs three common myths around language, demonstrating how it's a fluid system that naturally evolves in the direction of inclusion.

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 14: Final comments on the messy nature of reality

TAKE ACTION

PasstheEqualityAct.com: *Lobby Day April 21st & #EqualityTime Phone Banking*

Learn about end-the-filibuster pressure campaigns in BOTL Episode #1411

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

What You Need To Know About the Equality Act (Center for American Progress)

Why the Equality Act Is So Important (Rolling Stone)

Beautiful, sacred and powerful: Inside the roller coaster fight for trans kids in Arkansas (Reckon South)

The Roots of Anti-Trans Violence - Report (Transgender Law Center)

This record-breaking year for anti-transgender legislation would affect minors the most (CNN)

New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti-transgender laws (PBS)

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Protest sign that says "TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS" with two Trans Pride flags on either side of the word "ARE."

Credit: "Trans Rights are Human Rights" by Marc Nozell, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, blurred edges to wide image

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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