In this captivating episode Karen sits down with Julie, a key figure in Gender Equality New York, a nonprofit advocating for transgender, gender non-binary, and intersex individuals in New York State. Karen discusses the Defense of Democracy's origins, its advocacy work, and challenges faced by the transgender community, particularly the lack of civil rights protections until recent years.
Julie highlights the historical struggles, including the failure of past LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to include gender identity protections in early legislation, resulting in a delayed focus on trans rights. Their conversation delves into Julie's personal experiences, such as being fired from a job after advocating for transgender workers' rights, leading to her full-time commitment to advocacy work.
The discussion also covers the complexities of acceptance and challenges faced in Long Island, the progression of advocacy efforts within the police departments, and the metaphorical journey of gender transition represented as a train ride to Montauk, symbolizing the final stage of transition.
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