BUSTED! in Middletown on September 14th: A Celebration of the Transgender Community The Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition and Love Makes a Family will co-host BUSTED! on Friday, September 14th at Tommy’s Restaurant on 825 Saybrook Road in Middletown. BUSTED! is a fashion show for the transgender and gender non-conforming community, its allies and friends over 21. Doors will open at 8pm and the show will begin at 9:30pm. Tickets are $10 (although no one will be turned away for lack of funds). In addition to the fashion show, there will be food, music, dancing, and cash bar. All proceeds will benefit the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition, a grassroots coalition dedicated to improving societal attitudes and the law in order to achieve full human rights for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and communities. BUSTED! is a celebration of transgender and gender non-conforming people and their bodies. "So many of us walk around, constantly in fear that someone will notice that we're transgender,” said Zil Goldstein, the event organizer. “We’re laughed at for the ways we don't fit in, told that we should be ashamed of ourselves and our bodies, getting BUSTED! and being told we're BUSTED! This show celebrates those differences, celebrates the ways BUSTED! means beautiful." TransAdvocacy is leading the campaign for the civil rights of transgender people in Connecticut. Having secured several legislative and educational victories, passing trans-inclusive hate crimes legislation and opening domestic violence shelters to trans people, TransAdvocacy is now working to pass anti-discrimination legislation that will protect gender identity and expression (see sidebar). While much of TransAdvocacy’s work is to educate, advocate, and legislate, BUSTED! will be a great chance to party celebrating gender transgression! Contact Zil Goldstein at the CTAC at (203) 247-6090 if you need a ride, directions, or would like to volunteer for the event. Information can also be found on www.TransAdvocacy.com or www.lmfct.org . Join us for this unique opportunity to come together to celebrate our community! Strap on your dancing shoes and get ready to have a great time surrounded by some beautiful Connecticut trans people, allies, and friends.
SIDEBAR:
Gender Identity and Expression Legislation: Dr. Jerimarie Liesegang, CTAC Director, Comments on the Road Ahead During the 2007 legislative session, SB 1044, "An Act Concerning Discrimination" was introduced in the state legislature. SB 1044 would have added "gender identity and expression" to the state's current anti-discrimination laws, including laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, credit, and education. Although the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) has already ruled that state law currently protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity and expression, this bill would have made those protections explicit and uniform. Discrimination against people due to their gender identity or expression occurs in a number of forms. Some people have been fired; others remain unemployed or underemployed as a result of discrimination, hostility and misunderstanding about gender expression. This bill sought to reduce the amount of discrimination in Connecticut and increase the productivity and safety of employees, consumers and residents. In 2007, SB 1044 successfully made it through the Judiciary Committee and three other tough committees, and passed in the state Senate, with 111 votes in favor and only 13 opposed! That is remarkable progress considering this was the first full session during which this bill was presented. Sadly, when raised in the House, the bill was effectively filibustered by a small cadre of very conservative Republicans. While the bill did not pass during the 2007 legislative session, its progress is an important accomplishment for the entire LGBT community. There is no question that we will bring our antidiscrimination bill back to the legislature next year, continuing to educate our legislators, the public, and our communities about the importance of securing basic human rights for all transgender and gender non-conforming individuals!