emilynghiem
Constitutionalist / Universalist
I've been approaching LGBT issues in terms of free exercise and expression of one's faith based beliefs, regardless if this is for or against homosexuality, transgender/transition, etc.
Could we compare Transgender restroom policy with
* disabilities that require professional medical documentation, and can't just be claimed by anybody on a whim
* religious faith where people wear a certain costume or follow a certain custom (such as Muslims who pray 5 times a day, even during work, and need to go to room that allows this;
or Jewish/Muslim believers who wear certain hats or coverings that otherwise might conflict with company dress code).
When Muslims ask to excuse themselves to go pray during the work day, there is not a MANDATED policy that applies to all other people. So why do Transgender individuals require a global policy affecting all other people?
What was wrong with just taking each case individually.
And applying existing laws against abuse and harassment to cases of discrimination against people for their "gay or transgender BELIEFS" the same way Jewish, Christian or Muslims defend themselves against discrimination.
We don't have separate laws targeting MUSLIMS for anti-discrimination, but religious freedom arguments are applied, the same as for Christians.
And we don't make a universal blanket policy for EVERYONE just because SOME Muslims request individual accommodations at work as a special exception that doesn't apply or affect others.
Why can't LGBT beliefs, expressions, and customs be treated like any other faith-based choice? where these can NEITHER be Established NOR Prohibited by Govt.
Why this need to treat LGBT beliefs with exceptional protection beyond what Christians, Muslims, Atheists and other beliefs or creeds already use First and Fourteenth Amendment arguments to defend as an equal choice?
Could we compare Transgender restroom policy with
* disabilities that require professional medical documentation, and can't just be claimed by anybody on a whim
* religious faith where people wear a certain costume or follow a certain custom (such as Muslims who pray 5 times a day, even during work, and need to go to room that allows this;
or Jewish/Muslim believers who wear certain hats or coverings that otherwise might conflict with company dress code).
When Muslims ask to excuse themselves to go pray during the work day, there is not a MANDATED policy that applies to all other people. So why do Transgender individuals require a global policy affecting all other people?
What was wrong with just taking each case individually.
And applying existing laws against abuse and harassment to cases of discrimination against people for their "gay or transgender BELIEFS" the same way Jewish, Christian or Muslims defend themselves against discrimination.
We don't have separate laws targeting MUSLIMS for anti-discrimination, but religious freedom arguments are applied, the same as for Christians.
And we don't make a universal blanket policy for EVERYONE just because SOME Muslims request individual accommodations at work as a special exception that doesn't apply or affect others.
Why can't LGBT beliefs, expressions, and customs be treated like any other faith-based choice? where these can NEITHER be Established NOR Prohibited by Govt.
Why this need to treat LGBT beliefs with exceptional protection beyond what Christians, Muslims, Atheists and other beliefs or creeds already use First and Fourteenth Amendment arguments to defend as an equal choice?