Brain and Brain, What is Brain?

NexyJo points to an article about trans rights in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Specifically, right wing transphobic and homophobic groups fighting against a bill that would add gender identity to the county’s non-discrimination laws. And, of course, there’s the inane bathroom panic:

Michelle Turner, director of Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum (CRC), a parent’s group in Rockville, Md., said the bill would basically allow males to have open access to women’s restrooms.

“I am dumbfounded,” Turner told Cybercast News Service. “They are saying, ‘If you are a man but you feel like a woman, then even if you still have male genitalia, you would have access to restrooms and locker rooms and showers used by women and girls.”

Also, one opponent invokes our demographics, plus implies we’re insane:

Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, said she is shocked that Montgomery County is considering protected status for a very tiny portion of the population - one which suffers from a psychiatric disorder.

She goes on to demonstrate that she’s apparently a neurologist and a psychologist, as she describes in intimate detail the anatomy of the human brain and whether sane people can possibly be transsexual.

This article falls into the basic transphobic pattern: Trans women are discussed, trans men are ignored. Our gender is considered invalid (we’re described as males throughout the article, plus we’re described as mentally ill). Everyone’s an expert on who and what we really are (brains can’t be male or female, just genitals!).

The two organizations cited have their own vices, of course. The Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum homepage indicates that they’re in an apocalyptic battle to prevent their children from being exposed to sex education. PFOX is just inverted PFLAG. Their homepage says:

PFOX is not a therapeutic or counseling organization. PFOX supports families, advocates for the ex-gay community, and educates the public on sexual orientation. Each year thousands of men, women and teens with unwanted same-sex attractions make the personal decision to leave homosexuality. However, there are those who refuse to respect that decision. Consequently, formerly gay persons are reviled simply because they dare to exist! Without PFOX, ex-gays would have no voice in a hostile environment. PFOX families unconditionally love their children.  PFOX parents recognize our children for the wonderful young men and women they are.  PFOX families do not label children based on who they are attracted to –  feelings can and do change.  PFOX families allow for differences of opinion; we do not place requirements on our children nor do they place them on us.  That’s what unconditional love means — loving each other even when we do not agree.

It’s almost like satire.