The struggle faced by transgendered Americans is being highlighted by the OutCenter in Benton Harbor. It held an event with Equality Michigan Wednesday to bring attention to the economic and other problems the transgendered face. Natalie Mooney is the mother of a transgendered southwest Michigan man. She said people need to think about the language they’re using, and also about how they can make things better for others.
“When we’ve been greeted with empathy, Simon has completely shined,” Mooney said. “when he finds himself in an atmosphere where there’s fear, he just shrink. As a parent, that’s heartbreaking.”
A recent nationwide poll of transgendered Americans found a 19% unemployment rate among them, with many reporting they can’t even get their foot in the door for an interview. A variety of other problems also plague them in greater numbers. The OutCenter tells us many transgendered individuals from southwest Michigan have to go elsewhere to be treated better. They want to change that.
