Shame on you Paul Scott

Last week Rep. Paul Scott announced his candidacy for the office of Secretary of State.  On his website Rep. Paul Scott stated that he would ensure transgender individuals will not be allowed to change the sex on their driver’s license in any circumstance.  As the Executive Director of Transgender Detroit I cannot just sit back and let you make our community a wedge issue. Shame on you Paul Scott for making the transgender community a scapegoat for your candidacy.

You see gender is defined as what is between the ears and not between person’s legs. But, in Michigan having your gender changed on your Drivers License is only possible after surgical transition. So, even if you want to use the definition of what is between the legs, than use it, and maybe move on to something more important like idea’s about how to get people back to work.

  Another question is what do you intend to do with people who are born intersexed? Since, you are going to use the age old argument about males using females bathrooms—an argument with no backbone—I  guess maybe you better make it so intersexed people have their own bathrooms in public places. Or have you not thought about people born intersexed since nobody else has brought it up.

          Mr. Scott, as you already know without proper identification it is impossible to work and obtain a place of residence. So, you are suggesting that instead of being who we are, it is better to be who we are without a job and a place to live. Have you ever been homeless Mr. Scott?  If, I walk into a job and my identification does not match who I am, will I get that job? Will I get that place to live? That is one reason why your policy and thinking needs to be changed. Your reasoning leads to the idea that instead of having productive—tax paying—transgender people in your state, you will have unproductive(non-tax paying) members living on the streets. All we want in the transgender community is to be productive Michigan citizens, citizens who pay taxes, work and live a law biding life. In our current economic times, I don’t think the state would be very happy if instead of being productive citizens of the state we become a drain on the state due to what would be our rising unemployment rates.

Every week I run a support group, and you should hear some of the stories shared about not being able to find work because their gender marker on their I.D. does not match who they are. The state right now requires that someone has gender reassignment surgery to be able to change their gender marker.  For many people because they are unemployed or under employed cannot afford to have this surgery.  Many more may not be able to have the surgery because of health reasons. Such was the case of my late wife. Maybe it would time better spent to help more people become employed than it would be to guarantee more unemployment.

This is not a bathroom or a social moral issue.   Where laws have been enacted to protect the transgender community there have not been one instance of a sexual predator harassing any women or children in the restroom.  You have fallen to believe the lie that people talk about and use to scare people into believing that we are predators. Let me ask you this, have you, or anyone you know, that have been attacked by a transgender person in a public restroom? Why don’t inquire about it, and get back to me. I have always been under the assumption that it is best to learn something for yourself than to just believe ignorance. As a politician I would hope that this type of research comes natural to you. Or do you just believe everything you hear? 

In the end Michigan has much more serious and real issues to worry about. Michigan is in dire straits with our highest in the nations unemployment rates, and unemployment benefits about to run out for thousands of its citizens this year.

Mr. Scott, I am not attacking you, I am only defending my community by attacks that are made to us by people who think the way you do. So understand that this letter is in defense not to attack. I invite you to come and visit our support group and ask questions. Get an education about our community for yourself, learn for yourself about who we are, learn for yourself and than decide for yourself. We meet every Tuesday and our doors are always open to you. I look forward to having open and honest discussion with you.

Feel free to contact me at 248-514-2688 to have an honest discussion about the transgender community.

Michelle Fox-Phillips

Co-founder and Executive Director

Transgender Detroit

This year there have been 118 documented murders of transgender indivduals due to anti-transgender bias.

We will be holding our annual candlelight vigil again on Friday November 20th at Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit at 7:00 pm. The address is 2441 Pinecrest Ferndale MI. Our featured speaker will be the newly elected Prisident of the Detroit city Council Charles Pugh, Ric Beattie from Renaissance Unity Church and Brooke Adams from Kick.  The music will be provided by Terry Gonda and Kirsti Reeve.

On Saturday night will be hosting along with Affirmations our potluck and a movie.  The movie is “A Soldiers Girl” about the romance of a transgender women and Barry Winchell who was in the armed services.  Because of his involvement some of his fellow soldiers murdered him.  The event starts at 6:30 pm.

On Sunday at MCCD at the 9 and 11 services their will be a renaming/baptism ceremony for anyone who want to participate.  Please contact the MCCD in advance so they will have your certificate ready.  There phone number is 248-399-7741.

The LGBT Benefit Concert – Sept 30
Affirmations, Transgender Detroit and Triangle Foundation worked together to encourage the cancellation of the Buju Banton concert in Detroit . Please join us in turning a hateful night into one filled with supportive and powerful music from the Detroit area’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Confirmed performers include: Ami Matteson, Andrea Wilson , The Big Pink Black, Chantel & Youth Montage, Cheryl Strebel, Coup Detroit, Jocelyn B “Bitch” of the Blues, Leslie Thompson , Steffie & the Dirty Virgins. More artists are pending confirmation. Join us Wednesday, September 30th at the Magic Stick http://www.majesticdetroit.com/stick.asp . Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets are just $10.
Here is a statement from Detroit ’s Majestic Theatre about these events – help us thank them by attending the event:
The Buju Banton concert that was to be held at the Majestic Theatre on Wednesday, September 30th has been cancelled. This was an incredibly tough decision for us both philosophically and economically. If we had known that there was any controversy surrounding this artist, we would have never even considered booking him. We do not condone any form of hate speech. We have struggled to get out of our contract for over a month to no avail. The Majestic is in essence a family-run small business. It is next to impossible to simply cancel a show without major financial consequences. Yet, that is what we have done.
We feel that our decision to cancel the show is less about making a statement on free speech and more about continuing to provide a welcoming atmosphere for all people. Over the past month, our friends and neighbors within various LBGT groups have reached out to us and expressed deep concern over Buju’s past comments and song lyrics. For decades, The Majestic has been a haven for unique events and people from all walks of life. At this point and time, Detroiters need to stand together more than ever. We could not allow one event to create a divide. We hope that you continue your support and patronage of The Majestic.
Sincerely,
The Zainea Family
Transgender Detroit a local non profit working the betterment of the transgender community.
If you can’t make the concert consider a contribution to Transgender Detroit. You can mail your contirbution to
Transgender Detroit
25630 Santina Lane
Warren, Mi. 48089

With the help of Affirmations and Triangle today we scored a big victory.

I strongly urge everyone to go back and thank them for canceling this concert.

There will be a benefit concert this Wednesday instead.   More details in the next few days.  The concert will help defray the cost for the owners of the theatre.  They stand to lose alot of money.

Thanks again.