Possibly Moving to Chicago/GLBT

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by lenniel

Question for you. The 'T' in GLBT, is that 'transgender' or 'transvestite'? What's the different. What's trans sexual? Just curious. Are these people usually gay but dress/act like the opposite sex? Are the trans folks the ones who get sex changes?

There are two types of trannys. Transvestites are men dressing as women... Transgenders are men who have a procedure done to make them a woman per se. Watch Real World Brooklyn there's a perfect example of a transgender on there. (Katelyn)

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by NYrules

There are two types of trannys. Transvestites are men dressing as women... Transgenders are men who have a procedure done to make them a woman per se. Watch Real World Brooklyn there's a perfect example of a transgender on there. (Katelyn)

You probably should read up on this yourself. Not all transwomen and transmen pursue gender reassignment surgery. Many will do the hormone regiment and even have masectomies/implantation but do not have genital reassignment for a variety of reasons. Other transpeople (please, not "trannys") will do neither but simply live as the gender they feel they are.

There are also gender ambiguous individuals in the GLBT community who feel neither fully male nor fully female.

All of these groups could be homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual depending on the gender they identify with as well as their sexual identity.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Genghis

... To be honest, I don't really know why gay unions haven't progressed further here, given the generally tolerant attitudes I've found.

Unions here probably haven't progressed partly because of the tolerant attitudes. I don't know many gay people in Chicago who feel especially discriminated against. Sure marriage would be a good, desirable option, but I think most gays here figure it will happen eventually and until then things aren't so bad. Iowa has marriage, so I don't think it'll be that long until Illinois does.

Outside of marriage or civil unions, though, Chicago generally has as many protections from the LGBT community as any place in America, and is accepting of LGBT people.

Someone may point out some exception, where someone in the public eye has shows a lack of tolerance, but instances like those really are the *exception* in Chicago in my experience.

[prairiestate]

Try Iowa (legal gay marriage) or Wisconsin (statewide domestic partner registry that grants rights such as guaranteed hospital visitation)

[koolshundle]

A civil union bill is currently in the IL state house, may be voted upon in the fall session. It was almost voted upon in the Spring, but got delayed because of the stalled budget.

I'd expect the bill to pass, given the large majorities Dems have in the house and senate, and the governor is a Dem and in favor of civil unions.

[prairiestate]

What does being a Democrat have to do with it? Ever heard of the Log Cabin Republicans? Virginia Republicans just nominated an openly gay congressional candidate. Gay and Democrat are not neccesarily synonymous. I don't imagine many blue collar Dems on factory floor would favor gay unions!

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

What does being a Democrat have to do with it? Ever heard of the Log Cabin Republicans? Virginia Republicans just nominated an openly gay congressional candidate. Gay and Democrat are not neccesarily synonymous. I don't imagine many blue collar Dems on factory floor would favor gay unions!

Funny!

[emathias]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

What does being a Democrat have to do with it? Ever heard of the Log Cabin Republicans? Virginia Republicans just nominated an openly gay congressional candidate. Gay and Democrat are not neccesarily synonymous. I don't imagine many blue collar Dems on factory floor would favor gay unions!

See, the difference is, the Dems who oppose gay marriage are on the factory floor. The Republicans who oppose gay marriage are on the legislature floor.