Politics & Government
Yes on 3: The 9% Challenge #TransLawMA
A recent Harris Poll shows a large discrepancy in the ages of those being polled and whether they report knowing anyone transgender.
This editorial is part of my series on #TransLawMA, please find Part 1: The Vote to Uphold #TransLawMa is the Right Choice here and Part 2: Going in on Transphobic Myths .
According to a recent Pew poll, nearly 90% of Americans say they personally know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. However, according to a recent Harris poll, only 16% of Americans say they personally know someone who is transgender. The same poll showed that while 27% of Millennials [approx year of birth 1980-1994] say they personally know someone who is transgender, only 9% of Americans over 45 say the same.
As is probably pretty clear by now, I feel very strongly about people voting Yes on Massachusetts Question 3 . I am not a member of Freedom for All, but I do think they have some of the best resources out there.* That being, said, it frustrates the heck out of me that "this [reason] is why you should care about other people" is an argument I find myself making. During the 2009 discussions of gay marriage, a Gallup poll reported that "
Among those who do not personally know anyone who is gay, 72% oppose legalized gay marriage while just 27% favor it. "
So here's my 9% challenge, aimed mainly at those of you above 45-ask someone younger if they know someone who is transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming . I'm a millennial, I have friends who fall under that umbrella, and I think they should be allowed in public (and, gasp, even allowed to use the toilet and shower). If you don't know any millennials, might I suggest Acton-Boxboro High School and Skidmore college alumnus Skylar Kergil's memoir on being a transgender young adult?
Please email me with any story ideas, events, etc. I want to know what my fellow Westwoodians are doing!
The views expressed here are the views of myself, your Patch Mayor, Heather T. Ford and not Westwood Patch.
* Here's the link to their local Facebook group Dedham-Westwood-Norwood Coalition for Transgender Equality, as well as an event coming up on October 3 .