Declaration of Gender Liberty

by Erika Cantrell

I'm sure those of you who regularly read our column have come to recognize that I am among those who love to bear their souls in print . . . to use the written word, not only to promote mutual understanding, but as an emotional catharsis. However, frequently the carefully chosen words of others seem to say more (to me), and so much more eloquently.

The following is excerpted and adapted from the Declaration of Gender Liberty. This document was drafted by Sharon Stuart with the input of other transgender activitists for presentation at Transgen '96, the annual conference of ITCLEP. It draws heavily on the Bill of Gender Rights, originally crafted by Dr.. JoAnn Roberts, that was previously reproduced in Kolours. The presentation at Transgen '96 included a group recitation and with specific recognition of numerous transgendered heroes, heroines, and martyrs from Joan D'Arc and Christine Jorgensen to the recent hate crime victims, Brandon Teena and Tyra Hunter.

I believe this has something to say to all of us . . . from butch or femme lez to leather people and drag queens.

Upholding the universal equality of humankind before us in the sacred fashion of our forebearers, we too recognize self-evident truths and pursue unalienable rights.

Among our endowed rights, we cherish most the freedom to choose for ourselves our own identities and to put aside the restraints of ignorant oppressors and indifferent bureaucracies . . . we declare liberty from the prescriptions and constraints of gender roles constructed and thrust upon us from birth without our consent.

Affirming that all human beings carry within themselves an ever-unfolding idea of who they are and what they are capable of achieving, we rise as one to proclaim the fundamental right of all humankind to define and redefine their own identities.

Representing all races, nationalities, ethnicities, creeds, classes, and sexes, we profess that we are one and all a people whose diverse talents and energies find common ground in the transcendence of conventional gender boundaries.

Recognizing that all are rooted in the human condition, we nevertheless assert the right to name ourselves and to choose such language as best characterizes both our differences and our common attributes.

Therefore, we throw off the shackles of gender to uplift the dignity of those known to themselves and to all the world as transgendered people.

We are proud of the many contributions to the human journey made by our transgendered brothers and sisters, whose contributions stretch from the beginnings of recorded history.

We know that our progenitors yearned for the same freedom of identity that we seek. We know that they struggled and suffered for the sake of re-imaging themselves. We know that many died in the pursuit of truth and justice. We take comfort and courage in the meaning of their lives. Their examples give us hope and light the path to freedom.

And so, in the stead of our transgendered ancestors, mindful of the dangers and pitfalls they faced, but resolute in purpose and confident of the outcome, we take up the cause of justice and liberty to free ourselves and our posterity from the bonds of gender oppression.

By these precepts we propose to transcend the bonds of gender oppression and prejudice:

We proclaim that our identities are not determined by our chromosomal sex, our genitalia, our assigned sex as males or females, or our initial gender roles.

We cherish above all else, the right to define and redefine new identities in accord with our own images and self-conceptions and without regard for the limitations and conformations dictated by restrictive concepts of gender.

We declare our right and duty to express self-defined identities freely and with due care for the human rights and sensibilities of others. And, for those accountable to us, we will strive to acknowledge and respect their identities in accord with their wishes and in such fashion as we would wish to be acknowledged and respected.

We will resist all attempts to subject us, one or all, to economic deprivation by denying us opportunities to train for and pursue gainful employment while manifesting our chosen identities.

We demand equal compensation for our labor. We insist upon dignity for ourselves and for all other workers.

We ask admittance to all spaces and activities to which we are entitled by virtue of our self-defined identities.

We proclaim that our bodies belong to us alone. As necessary for our continued existence, we take responsibility for the care and nurture of our bodies and assert the right to alter our bodies in such ways and by such means as are pleasing to us, the owners.

We demand competent medical care and expect equal access to the same professional services provided to others.

We refuse to permit anyone, without our consent, to characterize us as diseased, dysphoric or disordered solely by virtue of our self-defined gender identities.

We affirm our right to the free expression of our sexual natures in private, adult, consensual relationships.

We profess the right to form committed, loving relationships with one another and to enter into marital contracts by virtue of those relationships without regard to our own or our partners' perceived status as male or female.

We assert also our rights to conceive, bear, or adopt children, to nurture and have custody of children and to exercise parental control.

We deplore the actions of those who seek to stigmatize us and rob us of our dignity. We vow to work diligently to banish ignorance with enlightenment and to strive with equal fervor for the liberation of our oppressors and detractors.

We abhor violence and come in peace and humility, seeking dignity, justice, and freedom not only for ourselves but for all humankind. We vow to break the bonds of fear, degradation, oppression and bigotry.

We come to build bridges of trust, dignity,compassion, and love. Hand in hand, pursuing life, liberty, and happiness,we go out with love in our hearts, care in our eyes and comfort for one another on our lips.

Let it be known that we passed through this world for no other purpose than to share our special gifts for the good of all humankind.

Clearly, gender oppression is an issue for all of us, even if we primarily identify with the community of sexual minorities. Repression of freedom of gender expression has always been a key element of sexual oppression. Crossgendered, bigendered, or transgendered individuals have been the obvious targets for the ignorant and intolerant . . . from antiquity to Stonewall and to the present.

Are you ready to sign the declaration of gender independence?

Back to In Our Own Write Index,

Prior Not For Transgenders Only Column

Edited 12/6/96.