Transgender Petition to the United Nations

As citizens of the world, we petition the United Nations to revise the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from "all women and men" to "all people". The United Nations stands for human equality and freedom from discrimination for any reason, including gender. Yet the term "women and men" is exclusionary of all people whose gender cannot be described by either category.

We also urge that you include the term "gender", within Article 2, "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." This addition is suggested to protect transgender people, whose human rights are being violated because of their exhibited gender, not their biologic sex.

The transgender population of the world is emerging, and in doing so, faces grave misunderstanding, prejudice and injustice on a daily basis. In the absence of recognition as a distinct and equal subset of humanity, transgender people do not receive equal protection under common law or human rights. Many instances can be referenced where transgender people were not afforded equal rights nor freedoms, and have been subjected to atrocious and inhumane treatment at the hands of law makers and society at large. (See links at right)

We urge the United Nations to take a leading role in including the transgender population through use of the phrase "all people", rather than excluding them by using the term "all women and men". This simple step would go a long way in setting precidents for the equal recognition and protection of all human beings of the world.

EXISTING TERMINOLOGY

Preamble: "Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women."

Article 2: "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

Article 16(1): "Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family.

PROPOSED TERMINOLOGY:

Preamble: "Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of all people."

Article 2: "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

Article 16(1): "People of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family.




SIGN THE PETITION



To Our Dear Friends and Supporters,
We understand that you may be reluctant to sign your official names due to privacy and safety concerns. We encourage you to sign with your chosen transgender name, as your symbolic affirmation of support. While this petition may not be official in every sense, the message is clear. Transgender people want to be considered human beings -- people -- equal to men and women. All people are encouraged to sign this petition, transgender or otherwise, either officially or symbolically. The real power isn't the # of signatures, but the number of people reading the petition, paying attention, becoming aware of this important issue. The focused attention of a group is what brings change, not printed signatures on a page. Your signature is symbolic of the fact that you were here, you read the petition, agree with the proposed changes, and will pass the word on to someone else. This word of mouth will spark new momentums in ways that will have progressive effects on the lives of transgender people everywhere. Sign this petition if you believe all people should have equal human rights. Sign this petition because the phrase "all men and women" excludes gender-variant individuals.
We are all equal people, no matter what gender.

Peace Love & Light,
Michele Angelique and Laurie Anne (Sweet)


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