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Standing By Shannon

Shannon Minter argued in California's supreme court for my right to marry. I won't rest until he's protected in a trans-inclusive ENDA
An Advocate.com exclusive posted June 11, 2008
Standing By Shannon

My partner, Julie, and I were part of the overflow crowd watching the oral arguments of the California supreme court's same-sex marriage case at the San Francisco Main Library auditorium back in March. It was broadcast on California’s government public access channel, and let me tell you, it was like being at a sports bar for the Super Bowl -- people were cheering and hissing for two solid hours.

The superstar of the day, the man whose forceful eloquence and grace under pressure gave us all such a feeling of confidence that the court would indeed see the light on this issue, was National Center for Lesbian Rights lead attorney Shannon Minter.

Along with Chief Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart and the many others who prepared the case and spoke to the justices that day, Shannon Minter helped earn all of us same-sex couples the right to marriage equality here in the state of California. (Like all good technorati queers, I blogged about it.)

On the afternoon the landmark May 15 ruling was announced, Julie and I brought our two daughters to the San Francisco LGBT Community Center to celebrate the victory with our community. Ask anyone who was there and they’ll tell you the thrill that went across the room as center executive director Rebecca Rolfe spoke the simple words “Welcome to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center” with the mindful, measured tone that allowed us all to feel the reality of a genuinely united LGBT movement. I’m talking especially about the "T" here.

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Jenni Olson is director of e-commerce at WolfeVideo.com. She lives in San Francisco with her partner, Julie Dorf, and their two daughters.
Keywords:  california marriage  marriage 
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Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Peter J. McQuaid
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 3:13 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    Thanks for a terrifically-reasoned piece on the issue of Human Rights for transpeople. I think our concern for Human Rights should extend to all members of the human race who are denied same. Leaving transpeople behind as we homosexuals push for across-the-board legal recognition as fully-realized human beings smacks at best of compromised integrity. And it only gives our enemies joy to watch as we jettison the more "edgy" members of our community in our push for Human Rights. It diminishes all of us and it hurts the members of our community who most need our support. Again, a great piece!


  • Name: Kat
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 8:42 AM
    Hometown: Baltimore

    Comment:

    While I do not proclaim to understand the struggles of those members of our community who are transgendered it doesn't mean that I can ignore them or their rights. If we want rights for ourselves as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual individuals we need to make certain that we are fighting for those rights for others in our community as well.


  • Name: KJ
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 12:58 AM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    In an era of trans disenfranchisement in the gay community, it is incredibly affirming to see someone taking a stand for us. Thanks for showing the world that HRC and the rest of the Stepford gays don't represent the entirety of the gay community.


  • Name: Rupunzel
    Date posted: 2008-06-11 9:55 PM
    Hometown: san francisco

    Comment:

    Shannon is but one of many trans folks who have contributed so much to culture, society and the things we take for granted. Lynn Conway's inventions and work was a big part of what made it possible to have the computers we take for granted each day. Yet, Lynn and Shannon are just two of many. It is amazing what can happen if gifted individuals are allowed to live life to it's fullest free of discrimination, oppression and given the support and opportunity to exceed. Yet individuals who are born LGBTI continue to suffer from oppression and discrimination to this day.


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