HRC Staffer Responds To Trans “Conspiracy Theories”

I hate to say it, but in my opinion, the transgender community is not helping their cause by making allegations that lack a factual foundation. Making wild statements while demanding that possibly achievable employment protections that would protect millions be set aside until the trans community gets equal employment non-discrimination protections too is not going to win them friends. In fact, it may alienate those who are otherwise supportive of their cause. As I have said repeatedly, I support an inclusive version of ENDA, but if that cannot get passed, then it is time for a pragmatic reality check and we need to realistically push for what can get passed through Congress. By actions like the wild claims on Bilerico cited below, all the trans community will achieve is dividing the larger LGBT community further. Some of them need to wake up, smell the coffee and grasp the reality that without the full support of gays and lesbians across the country, trans inclusive legislation will NEVER get enacted. Bilerico Project made this allegation earlier today (http://www.bilerico.com/2008/04/hrc_calls_hpd_to_stop_houston_dinner_pro.php):

The HRC Dinner is being held at the convention center hotel across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center on April 12. The protest is being coordinated by the distinguished stateswoman of the Houston transgender community Phyllis Frye and veteran leaders Vanessa Edwards Foster and Josephine Tittsworth. But it seems as though HRC has a problem with the Houston transgender community exercising their First Amendment rights. The National HRC office called the Houston Police Department in an attempt to shut down the protest.

Yeah, the Homosexual Rights Corporation is a friend of the transgender community. If you still believe that fairy tale, I have some waterfront property along I-10 in the Atchafalaya Swamp between Breaux Bridge and Baton Rouge I'd like to sell you.

The problem is that HRC did not call the police. Rather, as reported by Queerity (http://www.queerty.com/hrc-staffer-responds-to-trans-conspiracy-theories-20080411/) this is how the situation unfolded with no conspiracy whatsoever:

The fact is that the standard procedure is when we are notified of a protest, then it is our obligation to notify the hotel/venue. The hotel/venue then takes the necessary precautions to make sure their guests are safe and that any protests happening outside of their property is also done so in a safe manner. One of those precautionary steps that the hotel/venue takes is to notify the local police department. This was done in DC, NYC, and Philadelphia previously without any problems, complaints, or conspiracy theories. So, with all that being said we are looking forward to a great Houston dinner which will be attended by the Mayor of Houston. And was the case at previous dinners, those who want to wear their stickers and stand in protest will be more than welcome to do so.