Monday, April 13, 2009

Ruthie Johnson Is Confuzzled

Bilerico, USA

Ruthie Johnson Is Confuzzled
Filed by: Mercedes Allen
April 11, 2009 12:30 PM

Ruthie Johnson seems to be a little confuzzled. Back on April 3rd, when
asked about equal rights for gay and lesbian people, she remarked, "If
someone comes to work dressed in drag, they should be able to fire
them."

Now, it's not unusual for LGBT-unaware people to conflate sexual orientation
with gender expression, although it does show a serious lack of
understanding when coming from a public official. But on top of that, in
clarifying her remarks, she says she was speaking only about dress codes,
and said, "I have not discriminated against
anyone."

This should probably concern the people of Idaho, especially because she's been
reconfirmed to the Commission on Human
Rights
.

Now, I get the impression that there is a little bit of history here, and
perhaps Idahoans can give us a bit of perspective on this overall picture.
But said Human Rights Commission recently voted 5-4 to reject protections
for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

"I said, when they wanted to include BLGT, 'Does that mean if someone
comes to work in drag and they get fired, does that mean we have to defend
them then?'" Johnson said.

She also said the bill to amend the state's Human Rights Act could have led
to same-sex marriages, which she opposes.

According to the Coeur d'Alene Press (you need a
password to see the actual
article),
she has said that she opposes discrimination against a person because of
their sexual orientation.

Clearly, gender identity and expression are another matter.

It's not unusual, of course, for dress codes to be given priority over a
person's identityor
gender
expression.
While there have been important precedents to establish implicit protections
in this regard, courts and even human rights bodies often continue to ignore
them .

Would there be anyone in the Idaho area that can pass on a little GLBT
education? Apparently, the ones who are supposed to be in the know are a
little confuzzled.

Filed under: State & Local Politics | Transgender & Intersex

Tags: Commission on Human Rights | drag | gender identity | Idaho | Ruthie
Johnson | sexual orientation | transgender

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