A majority of people favor transgender athletes playing on teams that match their gender at birth and require bathroom use based on their sex at birth. But Americans also want to see transgender bias covered under hate crimes laws, covered under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits hiring and firing based on race, sex, or religion, and allow transgender people to serve in the military. In other words, Americans seem to want to protect some transgender rights while denying others.
There are also issues of parental rights, medical treatment, and the associated issue of hermaphroditism, the estimated 5.5 million people born with two sets of sex organs. The topic goes far beyond locker and bathroom use.
FINANCE: I thought about saying “the economy” but most Americans confuse the economy, which is doing OK, with inflation, which isn’t and could exceed projections this year due to tariff concerns. Finance casts a wider net and includes everything from the ability to afford housing, why home insurance and tax increases impede home sales, and how Miami Valley residents cope with stagnant paychecks and increasing prices. It also includes a subject that doesn’t get enough attention and should — how unregulated and booming private equity markets could lead to the next market crash. Moreover, President-elect Donald Trump’s team wants to reduce or eliminate banking regulations, which history tells us leads to abuse (junk bonds, anyone?) that harms the economy. Grocery and gas prices will always remain top-of-mind for most people, but other issues demand attention.
RACIAL ISSUES/DEI: The country is in the middle of an anti-DEI movement because opponents have successfully labeled the program as reverse racism. Instead of debating whether DEI is right or wrong, I’m interested in seeing whether women and people of color continue to make societal progress. If more companies dismantle their DEI programs, what will promotions look like? Will businesses cut back on venture capital to disenfranchised groups looking to start a business? Will white people with different outlooks based on upbringing and beliefs be shut out? That’s an under-reported piece of the DEI debate since “I” for inclusion goes beyond color. It includes people from varied backgrounds and lifestyles. This might sound silly, but 32% of white people have at least one tattoo, many of which honor people dear to them, according to Pew Research. Another poll shows that 14% of businesses would be less likely to hire someone with a tattoo and another 28% said it depends on how much ink they have. That doesn’t seem very inclusive.
YOU CAN BE PART OF THE COVERAGE: I’m always looking for people to talk about their experiences — without judgment. I’d like to hear from those who have transgender concerns as well as supporters; local residents’ daily financial battles; and those who believe dismantling DEI Is a step toward real equality or a ploy to limit opportunity.
Last year, I stopped publishing an email at the end of my columns because I was tired of receiving nasty and racist notes. This year, I’ll occasionally open the email for a week or so at a time to give readers a chance to participate while doing my best to block the ill-natured among us.
I hope to hear from people who want to be part of the discussion.
Ray Marcano’s column appears on these pages each Sunday. He can be reached at raymarcnaoddn@gmail.com.
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