DENVER – Colorado transgender advocates are hoping to build on the trending sensation after Caitlyn Jenner unveiled her new name and gender to the world.
Jenner, who previously lived as Bruce, received a largely warm welcome after the television personality and former Olympic track and field decathlete revealed herself to the world as Caitlyn, having decided to transition.
But the reality is that many transgender people do not come out to cheers. And so advocates are looking to build on the momentum from Jenner’s experience to advance issues that previously have been difficult to communicate.
“If I can use my good fortune to help educate the public about what it means to be a transgender person, and to assist in helping pass legislation that will help people face a transition ... I’m going to do that,” said Durango physician Jude Harrison, who transitioned to a man later in his life. “That’s what I hope comes out of such a public, high-profile transition like someone as Caitlyn Jenner.”
The LGBT community in January was optimistic at the start of the legislative session, hopeful to advance transgender-friendly legislation. But the effort was blocked by a divided Legislature. One measure would have made it easier for transgender Coloradans to update the gender on their birth certificate.
“Colorado’s current process for someone who wants to change the gender on their birth certificate requires that the government intrude into that person’s privacy and personal medical decisions,” said Steve Wagner, the father of a transgender son in Centennial. “Our family was hoping the Birth Certificate Modernization Act would pass this year, so our son would face one less challenge by having a birth certificate that accurately reflects who he is.”
Opponents raised concerns during the debate, suggesting that for legal reasons, it is impossible to change the historical and biological “fact” of a person’s sex at birth.
Much of the opposition was led by Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal ministry that advocates for religious freedom. The group did not provide a response to questions left by The Durango Herald regarding opposition to transgender-rights legislation and Jenner’s announcement.
Those working for transgender rights say a celebrity’s support, such as Jenner’s, can help propel the issue. They say the conversation that happened at the Legislature this year is only the beginning.
“What has changed is that prior to this year, I don’t think there really was a conversation about the issues of transgender people in the Legislature,” Harrison said. “And so I think we’ve changed what the conversation is.”
Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, one of a handful of openly gay state legislators, said he believes the Legislature has made progress on transgender issues. In 2008, the Legislature passed a law that includes transgender people in discrimination protections. And just this year, the Legislature blocked a measure that would have allowed locker-room owners to restrict access to a changing space for transgender people.
“We have done quite a bit of legislation regarding transgender people, it’s just always in the same bills that also deal with sexual orientation,” Steadman said.
He believes that with the issue now hitting mainstream, there is momentum to push for additional equal protections and rights.
“It’s always helpful when someone comes out, regardless of whether it’s a celebrity or someone we know personally. It just personalizes the issue and puts a face on the issue for people to think about,” Steadman said. “It can’t be anything but helpful. ... It’s been building and building, and Caitlyn Jenner is going to be a big help in my mind.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
