LOCAL FEATURE TRANS AMERICA BY CAT EVANS THE STATE OF COLORADO has generated a slew of protective and inclusive laws for the transgender community in recent years, including the right to change your legal gender without sex reassignment surgery, the third gender option, and anti-bullying laws in schools/colleges. With all this considered — what is the actual impact on the day-today life of the individual in comparison to the legislative backing on paper? How does more acknowledgment by our local government impact the oppressions faced when it comes to personal engagement and visibility in the community? These are questions that can only be answered by people who are members of marginalized communities and exist outside of “normal” identities. There are various forms of legislative protection for the LGBTQ+ community, but this does not necessarily translate into tangible improvements for the people who exist in these realities day to day. While one could argue that the general public has become more accepting and tolerant of the LGBTQ community, it is important to note that not all members of this community have the same experience or are afforded the same treatment. The transgender community, specifically, is one that has faced extreme ridicule, hate, violence, accusation, and systemic oppression from the general population and governing bodies that often vilify what they simply do not understand. What “progress” means depends on who you speak to and is specific to the life experience of each individual. When it comes to social issues in the vague sense in which it impacts others, many hope for progress, but for some of us, progress is critical to survival and is a key component of everyday life. GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH Emma Parks, who began her transition in Mississippi, left for various reasons, one being that there was no statewide protection. She was drawn to Colorado for its protective acts. “It’s written into the Colorado constitution, and it’s been updated and amended recently, that gender and gender identity is a part of the protected classes – not just a law, but in the constitution,” Parks said. Parks describes her perception of legislation as “not just some half-assed here or there where politicians could seem inclusive and weren’t actually – but something that existed where you could actually protect yourself.” Parks explains that despite elected officials’ good intentions, a lack of trans representation in the legislature ultimately leads to ineffective laws and legislation. There is currently one Colorado lawmaker who identifies as trans, Brianna Titone, and she is one of very few transgender state legislators nationwide. “If you want to be able to have the power, you need to fight for your community,” Parks said. “We need the support of other people. There’s not enough solidarity between minority communities. We are minorities. On our own we cannot stand up against our oppressors. If we came together truthfully, imagine what could happen.” Parks explains that the laws legislators selectively support are the ones that receive media representation, and this creates division. This was a key point that highlighted the importance of authentic representation. With greater representation for the trans community on TV screens, in board rooms, in classrooms, in courtrooms, and so forth — not just as a “representative” or mouthpiece for a community, but as an actual member of the community — acceptance, understanding, and inclusion would begin to evolve quickly. What it means to identify as transgender and what it means to be protected within this identity may have different implications depending on who is interpreting them, especially in tandem with each other. Certain obstacles JULIAN CAMERA. CREDIT: CAT EVANS 8 DENVER VOICE July 2021
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