“I am so happy to be a girl” said Caitlyn Jenner during her Vanity Fair Interview
As the fight for Gender Equality continues, some argue that to achieve the “ultimate” goal of equality, there is a greater need for a coalition among diverse communities of women – one that includes and accepts all women. Thus far, the achievements attained through the support of transgender activists are quite impressive, given the size of this minority community.
Some of the victories attributed to how Transgender Women Are Helping to Deliver on Gender Equality include:
1. The big wins and resolutions in Health Care Discrimination: In March, the District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray approved an “initiative that prohibit gender identity discrimination in heath insurance plans, this was particularly beneficial in the push for equal health coverage for all Americans.
2. The passing of a Trans-inclusive “Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)” in the U.S. Senate.
3. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) now protects violence against transgender community – for the first time in 18 years and signed into law by President Barack Obama.
4. The transgender community played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Affordable Care Act. Now coverage for people who were once refused or prevented access to healthcare coverage based on their gender identity and gender stereotypes are no longer the case.
5. The increased in awareness of gender equality issues on social media and other media outlets: The boldest voices on behalf of feminism and gender equality in media has now become those of trans women activists like Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Mara Keisling, CeCe McDonald, Pauline Park, and now Caitlyn Jenner — these women are strong advocates for transgender equality and, more expansively, Gender Equality.
Read more on this feature story on Caitlyn Jenner once Bruce Jenner – by SunHee Grinnell Vanity Fair’s beauty director here. Learn more on the “6 Ways Trans Women Are Helping to Deliver Gender Equality.”
