GenderTalk

Virginia Stephenson, transgender activist, on New Mexico's recent adoption of broad statewide protections for gender diversity

Pauline Park, political scientist and transperson, challenges "post identity" politics and the lack of visibility of persons of color in the transgender movement

The state of New Mexico has just passed the most progressive suite of protections for gender diversity in existence. A leading transactivist behind this accomplishment was our guest Virginia Stephenson, who details what has become law and what it took to make it happen.

Virginia is a transgender activist, executive director of the New Mexico Gender Advocacy and Informaiton Network (NMGAIN), and a lobbyist instrumental in helping pass non-discrimination and hate crimes bills in NM state legislature.

The new legislation defines 'Gender Identity' as "a person's self-perception, or perception of that person by another, of the person's identity as a male or a female based upon the person's appearance, behavior or physical characteristics that are in accord with or opposed to the person's physical anatomy, chromosomal sex or sex at birth."
The bill protects against unlawful discriminatory practice in employment, labor, public accomodations, real estate, contracts, financial assistance and institutions. Exemptions existing in the Human Rights Act were bathrooms, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and an amendment was added in the House which exempted employers with fewer than 15 employees.

Some people are saying that the time has come for "post identity" politics. Our guest differs strongly. Pauline Park talks about the role of identity in liberatory movements, and how "post-movement" politics and theorizing relate to racism and counter-movement agendas.

Pauline is co-founder and co-chair of the New York Association. for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA), the first statewide transgender advocacy organization in New York. Pauline led the camaign for the NYC gender rights bill enacted in 2002. She has a Ph.D in political science with a focus on International Relations, and has written widely on race, ethnicity and LGBT issues.