People see the GLBTIQ/Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Intersexed, Questioning Community (or LGBTIQ, if you prefer that) as united, happy family to battle against homophobia & transphobia. In my experience, not so much. Though we are all heaped into one category doesn't mean we are all welcome in it. I think it's important to mention that this isn't always the case & not everyone is like this...but it happens. Often. People who are Bisexual have also spoken of discrimination from the larger GL & T population, but since I speak here from my experience, I deal with only the T side. (if anyone who is Bi wishes to chime in, by all means, comment away!)
The most discrimination I have gotten for being trans has been from lesbian feminists. They deny my identity as male & claim I "mutilated my body out of fear of being labeled a lesbian"...then these same people get stuck working with me on a project where they have to interact with me & then they get it. "There is NO WAY you could ever have been a woman!" they say. Exactly.
The fact is that Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual people have a point of commonality -- sexual orientation -- that unless transpeople are GLB in addition to being trans, don't have. Being trans deals with being a gender -- not sexual -- minority. When it comes to advocating for rights, this is a big deal and often leaves "gender identity, real or perceived" off of laws or legislature for the sake of getting them passed. Not a big deal...unless your trans. Then you are unprotected by those laws. Very big deal.
Try being a transwoman who is lesbian & a feminist & try entering women-only spaces. I have yet to hear of a good, accepting experience. Google "Michigan Wymn's (or Women's) Music Festival" and this will come up.
What has always been mind-boggling for me is when a minority population that is familiar with discrimination turns around & openly discriminates against another minority population. You'd think they know better. There is power in numbers, so division and separation are the last thing one would want when advocating for change so logically this is counterproductive...yet it happens. One could say "well, people are people" but that's now good enough. I have one theory I'm willing to share, but does anyone know why?
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