Recently the Tribune published a letter about the importance of civic dialogue, and cited Gov. Cox’s Disagree Better campaign as a positive example. This initiative focuses on having conversations and respecting the dignity of those we may be in conflict with. I think those are honorable ideals, but as a transgender Utahn I am skeptical that those ideals do enough to challenge bigotry and hate when they come from people in positions of power.
This year alone, the Utah Legislature has introduced bills that would:
• Make it easier for certain private landlords to deny housing to transgender individuals (HB404)
• Ban transgender individuals from teaching and some health care positions (HB183)
• Prohibit public insurance from paying for gender-affirming care (HB193)
I believe in the dignity and humanity of the congresspeople working to pass these bills. They deserve to be treated with basic respect, and they should not be targeted with threats or violence.
Even so, I will not pretend that their ideas merit respect. When you treat bigotry as a simple difference of opinion, you legitimize it as a political position. These bills not only threaten the health care, livelihood, and living situations of real people across Utah, they embolden others who wish them harm. I have personally experienced an increase in harassment over the last year as these bills work to delegitimize my existence.
I have listened in on many committee hearings where my trans siblings bravely tell their stories and attempt to open the kinds of dialogues Cox encourages. The congresspeople in those rooms have refused to engage. When Cox’s approach fails, and those in power are completely unwilling to Disagree Better with their own constituents, what will he do? If the answer is nothing, then what he truly believes in is acquiescing to bullies in a misguided attempt to keep the peace.
McLean, Salt Lake City
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