Via Pam’s House Blend…some discussion of the issue from a transgender activist…

Transgender is not simply the ‘T’ in GLBT. It is people who, for one reason or another, may not express their gender in ways that conform to traditional gender norms or expectations. That covers everyone from transsexuals, to queer youth, to feminine acting men, to masculine appearing women. It is a broad label that cannot be confined to a specific silo of people. It is anyone who chooses to live authentically. To think that the work that we are doing on behalf of the entire GLBT community simply benefits or protects part of us is to choose a simplistic view of a complex community. In a very real way, the T is anyone who expresses themselves differently. To some it is about gender. To me, it is about freedom.

Just so.  Unfortunately, Donna Rose had to say this, while resigning from HRC.  John Aravosis is asking when transgender became part of the gay rights struggle.  What I’d like to know is when "gay" became a synonym for "straight-acting".  As I understand it, there weren’t very many of those taking to the streets the day they rioted at the Stonewall Inn.

This is so sad on any number of levels, not the least of which is watching people you could have sworn have a brain actually believing that the Bush republicans will accept gay equality before they’ll accept equality for transgendered folk.  Yeah…they’ve always said they’ll accept us as long as we don’t flaunt it.  I guess passing for straight is that freedom we’ve all been struggling for.