.
Feedback

Debate Fierce Over Protections for Transgendered People

Our comment roundup this week features reader reaction to the Howard County Council vote to protect transgendered people.

Readers took their opinions to Howard County Patch sites this week, flocking most to stories about a ‘historic’ bill passed by the Howard County Council

Here’s what readers had to say in our comments section:

A DESTRUCTIVE CHOICE: "Yet another victory for the intellectually challenged. What….behavior is being changed here?! What this bill will do is keep people from speaking out against this very psychotic and destructive choice. Isn't it interesting that so many males want to be females? Guess all that feminism worked." — Veridicus

CONGRATULATIONS HOWARD COUNTY "Perhaps if you all read some books and did not depend on Jerry Springer, Saturday Night Live and Fox News as your primary source of education on issues, you would understand the neurological medical condition that many transsexual women and men face. This is not about feminism or sexual fetish, it is about providing protection to a minority group who is misunderstood as evidenced in the posts I am reading here. I say congratulations Howard County for finally closing this gap in minority civil rights." — Michiko Ota Eyre

NO RIGHT TO CROSSDRESS “Will the county council ever think about protecting children? Instead, this law protects perverts and other sexual deviants. A man doesn't have a ‘right’ to crossdress and then use the girl's locker room. We need to stop teaching our children that it is an acceptable choice to be a homosexual or transgender.” – Laquita Brown

STOP BIGOTRY “Laquita, Being gay is no more a choice, than being black is. I think we need to stop teaching our children to be ignorant, un-educated, bigots. Just a thought...”  - Andrew Kanicki

Margie December 10, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Laquita, first learn the difference between cross dressing and cross gender. Not the same. People who are cross gender generally know since they were little kids that they are not the "right" gender and pursue surgery when grown up to correct this. I've known one young woman, born a boy, who could articulate this at the age of 3. Transgender people have never had the remotest affinity for the mindset, activities, interests, type of bonding, or anything related to their own gender. And they face cruelty and misunderstanding on a level most of us will never have to confront. The young boy I know "came out" at the start of high school. High school's tough enough if you are just like everyone else. Can you imagine the courage it took this kid to say "this is who I am"in such an environment? No one "chooses" to be transgender, or gay for that matter. They are chosen before they arrive. Why else would someone subject themselves to comments from judgmental people trying to play God and decide what's right and wrong. Unfortunately I have never found that people like that will even sit down with a transgender person to ask "why", showing a decided lack of maturity, intellectual curiosity, and compassion. If this discussion was about the difference between a white and black person, it would be called bigotry
Mark Shrader December 10, 2011 at 06:31 pm
It's about protecting HUMAN rights!
If we don't protect thier rights, if we let them be attacked, if we allow this to happen to "them", then we can't be supprised when this happens to "us". We are all members of ONE HUMAN FAMILY!!!!
H.R. Pufnstuf December 10, 2011 at 07:35 pm
Enough messing around. Let's get at the question on everyone's mind, the white elephant in the room, the serious issue of our day: are transgendered people allowed to use CA pools during the women only swim hours?
Laquita Brown December 10, 2011 at 07:41 pm
Homosexuality is a choice. With pray and self determination, homosexuals can be cured. Several people in my church were homosexuals before they found Jesus and were saved from their former lives of sin.
I don't see why gender identity disorder is any different? The real problem is that some parents don't allow their children to identify with their birth gender. When boys to play with Barbies or girls with toy trucks, good parents use it as an opportunity to to teach about how God created each person as a man or a women. Its a shame some parents teach their children that gender is a choice and deny their children the necessary psychiatric and spiritual support.
Brook Hubbard December 10, 2011 at 09:00 pm
Laquita, I am afraid you are extremely mistaken and/or delusional regarding the nature of homosexuality and gender identity disorders (GID). Psychological studies have proven that the majority of transgender and homosexual people ~are~ born that way. Research has shown differences in brain development, hormone levels, and other biological aspects. As someone with a Psychology degree, I have read these same studies and analyses and the data is there for anyone who wants to research them.
Although anyone ~could~ practice homosexual or transgender behavior by choice, individuals who are truly homosexual or transgender were born that way. There is no "cure", anymore than you can "cure" a person of being Black or suffering from dwarfism. And before you go on quoting Jesus, I suggest you research the text you are living your life by. Jesus never directly condemned homosexuality, even if the religious code at the time opposed it. However, Jesus ~did~ directly condemn people judging others in his name... that is solely the purview of God.
Kristin December 10, 2011 at 09:39 pm
I think the people that have such a problem with more rights for gays, lesbians, and transgender are insecure with themselves and that is the real source of their anger. Stop judging others and focus on yourself!

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Columbia Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Laura Smit June 8, 2013 at 07:50 pm
Congratulations to Jean Moon and Cathy Smith for raising over $100,000 for Graasrrots CrisisRead More Intervention!!
EL May 26, 2013 at 04:37 pm
Can someone tell me what is the plan for the Dennis Lane Memorial? Is this to benefit his family?Read More Set up a scholarship? I would just like a little more information before I decide to write a check... Thanks.