Why We Need a New C-389

As many know, Bill C-389 has died in the Senate with the election call. Thus, we now need to start working on getting it re-introduced.

Why?

Perhaps this image will give an idea.

This is a photo taken of me after I was physically assaulted in Richmond, Quebec, in 2006, for no other reason than being transsexual.  You cannot see the damage they did to my hair – twisted literally into a knot that I had no choice but to cut it off. And the nailer? It was ME who got a ticket for “violence in public” for *defending myself*!

Also bring in the latest – a transwoman being attacked by two women in a McDonalds restaurant in Baltimore, while McDonalds employees FILMED it and ENCOURAGED them on.

This MUST change, and as someone who has been assaulted for being transsexual, I urge you to vote for a party that will encourage a law protecting gender identity, and treating such acts as a hate crime. Not one Conservative voted in favour, all the NDP and Bloc did, and even some Liberal members voted against.

There is protection for people based on race, sexual orientation, etc, but none for gender identity, except, oddly enough – the military.

We must change this. ALL must have the same rights. As it stands, trans do not.

Bill C-389

We would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to do as much as possible to support Bill C-389 which is now before the senate.  This Bill, once law, would make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on gender identity or expression, which until now has not been protected in law for the nation and very few actually protect.

There are those who claim this is a “bathroom bill”.  No, it is not. There are those among us who need this protection. Yes, in Canada, there IS discrimination.  I, Vanessa Cummings, can personally vouch for that.  Until I presented myself in “drab” (read: male) I was denied renting an apartment even. Yes, here in Canada, yes, here in Montreal. The one time I presented as male for an apartment I got it, no problems at all.  Showed the exact same paperwork that I had shown before. No, it was not “luck of the draw” – there was discrimination.

Being transsexual is NOT a “choice”.  It is NOT a “lifestyle”. A person who is transsexual is someone who is transitioning from one sex to another.  The gender they identify with.  And there are those who choose not to fully transition, who actually desire to be a “third gender”.  There is no reason to deny them basic human rights. 

This is a very very very important bill to get passed through the senate NOW.  Why?  Because since the Conservatives were essentially the only ones to really vote against it in parliament, there is a chance that even they can trigger an election any day now, thus killing the bill in the senate.  If this bill is killed in the senate, we are stuck starting from scratch – again. This is why an election now is definitely not desireable.

How do you help?  Well, check out below!

http://passbillc389.wordpress.com/how-you-can-help/

http://petition.web.net/psac/node/48

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Session=23&query=6825&List=toc-1

Sign now! Encourage your Senator to ensure protection!!!!