I Emailed The United Nations
I emailed the United Nations today. I am not sure how far it will go or if they will even read it but at least I tried and I will keep trying.
Dear Secretary General, Members of State and Representatives.
After reading through the Declaration of human rights, I believe it is of utmost importance to request an International Transgender day.
There are far too many hate crimes against individuals in the TG Community. These include physical attacks, verbal abuse and even murder. The road to recognizing and understanding Transgender people must begin somewhere. The sooner this happens, the better.
Transgender people should not have to live in fear. You're Declaration of rights states:
"Article 1.All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 5.No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
These people suffer cruelty every day of their lives. I believe educating people on what it means to be transgender needs to be taught as part of the sex education curriculum in schools.
Society does not fully understand what it means to be transgender and because of the unknown and misconceptions, this is where the hate crimes come from.
Transgender is a term used by people that feel that the gender they were assigned at birth does not correspond with their gender identity.
Within the transgender category, there are several subcategories. Transsexuals are people whose gender identity is in conflict with his/her biological sex to the degree that transitioning and possibly sex reassignment surgery are desired. Crossdressers wear the clothing of another sex on occasion, but do not desire to change their bodies. Other groups of people who feel that they do not fit into a rigid gender system may identify as Genderqueers, Androgynes, Gender Blenders or Gender Benders. These people may feel that they are both male and female or that their gender identity falls outside the system all together.
Being transgender is not directly correlated with a person's sexual orientation. Transgender individuals may identify as straight, gay, asexual or bisexual. Some transgender people strongly identify with the lesbian, gay or bisexual community, while others identify more with the straight community.
We must do everything in our power to prevent the discrimination and violence transgender people experience.
I appreciate your help with this urgent matter.
Thank You So Much
Sincerely,
~Sweet~ ( I signed my real name don't worry)
I sent this almost a month ago and I have not had any replies except for a computer generated confirmation email telling me they received my email. I decided to start a petition. I am hoping that when they see a lot of signatures that it will help to show them how very important this is. Please sign the petition and pass on the link to all your friends.
Until we hear from the U.N why don't we make our own special International T day. It won't be recognized on calendars but it will be embedded in the hearts of transgender people every where if we spread the word. I think we should make it the day Gender Evolve was created. It will be a day that we can look back and see what we have accomplished and look forward in anticipation of even greater achievements.
Michele had the awesome idea of creating a logo for International Transgender Day. So what do you think? Should we start without the U.N ?
Hugs,
~Sweet~
Dear Secretary General, Members of State and Representatives.
After reading through the Declaration of human rights, I believe it is of utmost importance to request an International Transgender day.
There are far too many hate crimes against individuals in the TG Community. These include physical attacks, verbal abuse and even murder. The road to recognizing and understanding Transgender people must begin somewhere. The sooner this happens, the better.
Transgender people should not have to live in fear. You're Declaration of rights states:
"Article 1.All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 5.No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
These people suffer cruelty every day of their lives. I believe educating people on what it means to be transgender needs to be taught as part of the sex education curriculum in schools.
Society does not fully understand what it means to be transgender and because of the unknown and misconceptions, this is where the hate crimes come from.
Transgender is a term used by people that feel that the gender they were assigned at birth does not correspond with their gender identity.
Within the transgender category, there are several subcategories. Transsexuals are people whose gender identity is in conflict with his/her biological sex to the degree that transitioning and possibly sex reassignment surgery are desired. Crossdressers wear the clothing of another sex on occasion, but do not desire to change their bodies. Other groups of people who feel that they do not fit into a rigid gender system may identify as Genderqueers, Androgynes, Gender Blenders or Gender Benders. These people may feel that they are both male and female or that their gender identity falls outside the system all together.
Being transgender is not directly correlated with a person's sexual orientation. Transgender individuals may identify as straight, gay, asexual or bisexual. Some transgender people strongly identify with the lesbian, gay or bisexual community, while others identify more with the straight community.
We must do everything in our power to prevent the discrimination and violence transgender people experience.
I appreciate your help with this urgent matter.
Thank You So Much
Sincerely,
~Sweet~ ( I signed my real name don't worry)
I sent this almost a month ago and I have not had any replies except for a computer generated confirmation email telling me they received my email. I decided to start a petition. I am hoping that when they see a lot of signatures that it will help to show them how very important this is. Please sign the petition and pass on the link to all your friends.
Until we hear from the U.N why don't we make our own special International T day. It won't be recognized on calendars but it will be embedded in the hearts of transgender people every where if we spread the word. I think we should make it the day Gender Evolve was created. It will be a day that we can look back and see what we have accomplished and look forward in anticipation of even greater achievements.
Michele had the awesome idea of creating a logo for International Transgender Day. So what do you think? Should we start without the U.N ?
Hugs,
~Sweet~
Comments
I applaud your effort Sweet!!!
-Miranda
Even though, in the past, I regarded the U.N. as a high priced debating society ruled by third world dictators who set the standards for "human rights", i.e. NONE, the wave of democracy sweeping the globe may allow your petition to find itself to a world organization reinvigorated to live up to its full potential.
I hope for the best and wish to thank you in particular, and all the signatories in general, for taking this courageous stand. I also commend Michele and G.E. for taking an upfront position on this ! Well done ! ! !
Sincerely,
~KAREN~
http://genderevolve.blogspot.com/2006/04/i-emailed-united-nations.html
~~~
Dearest Sweet,
I am so PROUD of you sister!! To take proactive initiative for change, is truly admirable. Whether the U.N. will recognized Int't TG Day or not, I applaud you wholeheartedly! Very well done, in intention, action and spirit.
The only way positive change will ever happen is through the inspiration, determination and passion of leaders like you Sweet. I will do whatever is in my power to assist and support you in championing the cause for petitioning the U.N. for an International Transgender Day. I'm off to sign the petition, and then I will endorse and put links to it on my profiles, and design a promotional graphic to be shared by others the cause.
As for the U.N. responding, I'd say let's get this petition rolling, then email them again... and again... and again... and all their friends too... The squeeky wheel gets the oil!! :))
Sisters, one and all... please sign this most worthwhile petition to the United Nations for the recognition of International Transgender Day:
http://sweetexplosion.ca/petition
With love and respect,
Michele
~~~
As a citizen of the world, I hereby support this petition to the United Nations for the recognition of International Transgender Day. To promote human equality and freedom from discrimination based on gender, I urgently request the United Nations to heed this call to action. The transgender population of the world is rapidly growing, yet these people face grave misunderstanding, prejudice and injustice on a daily basis. In the absence of recognition as a distinct and equal subset of humanity, transgendered people do not receive equal protection under common law or human rights.
We further urge you to consider adding "freedom of gender identity" as a basic human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that you revise "all men and women" to read "all people".
Most sincerely,
Michele Angelique
www.genderevolve.com
~~~
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1948, sets out basic rights and freedoms to which all women and men are entitled — among them the right to life, liberty and nationality; to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; the right to work and to be educated; the right to food and housing; and the right to take part in government."