Comments on: Constitutional foundation laid for trans equality http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/12/08/constitutional-foundation-laid-for-trans-equality/ the gay community's news source Thu, 23 May 2013 20:58:02 +0000 hourly 1 By: Caroline Temmermand http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/12/08/constitutional-foundation-laid-for-trans-equality/#comment-40309 Caroline Temmermand Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:50:11 +0000 http://www.washingtonblade.com/?p=32620#comment-40309 There is no doubt that this case has huge implications not only for transgender individuals but for others, too, whose appearance might be conceived of as gender non-conforming. It will have implications beyond gender as well.

Still, there is a problem here in that this ruling technically only applies to the 11th Circuit. And while it may influence courts in others jurisdictions, they are not required to follow this panel’s findings. Of course lawyers on one side fo case might use the decisions to try to influence the judges in their districts, we all know that finding another who would offer opposing arguments would not be a hard task.

Having a clear law for gender non-discrimination is a start in all the other places where the 11th Circuit does not control should remain a goal for all of us.

And lastly this ruling answers a question some have asked, “Why should I care about transgender rights?” Any lawyer will tell you that this ruling will have such broad implications for everyone in the US and it doesn’t matter if you are LGBTQ or not. So when you stand up for basic human rights for others, you are standing up for you and your loved ones.

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