Transgender Rights Represent a Social Element of ESG Investing
Human Rights Campaign in the US celebrated National Coming Out Day last week. October 11, 2021, was the thirty-third anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights.
To commemorate the occasion, President Biden released a statement that opened by saying:
Today, we celebrate National Coming Out Day and the courage of LGBTQ+ people who live their lives with pride, create community with open arms and hearts, and showcase the strength of being your authentic self. Today and every day, I want every member of the LGBTQ+ community to know that you are loved and accepted just the way you are – regardless of whether or not you’ve come out.
In that time, we have seen many gains in North America for our friends and family who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. Two examples are the general acceptance of same-sex marriage and the removal of don’t ask, don’t tell. I have been proud to be witness to these great strides on both sides of the border.
But the struggle for true equality and security is not over. This is especially true within the transgender community:
- In 2021 we see the continuation of a growing trend in the murder of transgender people.
- At least 35 bills have been introduced to stop transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
- Texas removed links for suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth from states websites in the state – after a Republican candidate for governor claimed they supported and promoted these “lifestyles.”
Current American support for transgender rights is mixed
Americans support trans rights in the military, but they also think transgender athletes should compete in sports in the gender on their birth certificate.
While more than 30 states have introduced legislation banning transgender female athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports, Imara Jones of TransLash Media identifies this as a solution search of a problem.
Corporate America’s support for equality continues to grow
The Human Rights Campaign’s recent Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation has the backing of 150 companies from across the United States.
We can all applaud this as a positive sign. Unfortunately, 25 of those companies also contributed to the campaigns of state parties and candidates who were sponsors of the very legislation HRC is protesting. All I can say is, the struggle continues.
And their Corporate Equality Index 2021 documents how “a record-breaking 767 businesses met all the criteria needed to earn a 100 percent rating and the designation of being a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.”
Historical Precedents in woman’s suffrage of a century ago
Social progress does not happen overnight. As we witness progress that can feel glacial, it is essential to acknowledge that progress is being made. And we can take solace that many other progressive campaigns took decades to accomplish their goals – goals we take for granted today.
I have also written about parallels I see between the historic campaign to abolish slavery and current efforts to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
As I looked for historical examples of social perspectives in ESG investing, I started thinking about the suffragette movement that reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th century.
In both contexts, people were persecuted and denied their rights based on artificial barriers.
Sadly, the campaign for LGBTQ equality and the suffragette movement are only two examples of such efforts.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations lists many such divisions. The fight for each of them goes on throughout the world.
We must never forget the words Martin Luthre King Jr. wrote in his Letter from the Birmingham Jail:
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
Suffrage as a struggle for women’s equality
In the late 19th century, women and their supporters began to push for women’s right to vote (franchise). Much of this grew out of the general extension of the franchise throughout that period.
The right to vote, especially in the British Empire and the United States, was being extended beyond the propertied classes. Up until then, only property owners were allowed to vote – well, at least white males anyway.
As the franchise grew to include all males, regardless of property, the fact that women were still not included became more glaring. From this sprang the suffragette movement.
At first, the term suffragette was thrown around as an insult. But it quickly became treated as a badge of honour. The campaigns led by the suffragettes, especially in Great Britain, became increasingly radical, as their efforts fell on deaf ears. These efforts included hunger strikes among arrested activists and protests outside places that represented political and economic power.
Generally, women obtained the right to vote during the First World War and its immediate aftermath. Even then, it would take decades for all women to have the vote. Places like Quebec and the Northwest Territories were pretty much the last to comply.
Social advocates are not always consistent in their support for progressive change
Unfortunately, campaigns for social justice don’t always overlap. For instance, the suffragette movement in the US did not support granting the vote to Black women. And women in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s accused their male counterparts of sexist attitudes.
Earlier this year, J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, surprised the world by criticizing her transgender counterparts. Now we see similar struggles in the struggle for transgender rights. And Dave Chappelle is generating controversy for his comments in a recent Netflix comedy special.
I recently read of an “incendiary speech” attacking a group calling itself the LGB Alliance. Speaking at an award presentation in Britain, Russell T Davis pointed out that “To cut out the T is to kill.” He admonished this new group as a front organization set up expressly to attack transgender rights and divide the overall queer community.
And this is not a new thing. When some people oppose progress, they create or find divisions within movements and take advantage of them to attack the movement as a whole.
Our efforts to make progress continue
While there are daily reminders of the problems and inequality that still exist in our society, we need to continue to address them, seek change where we can and remain optimistic that we can achieve real change. After all, that is what socially responsible investing and the effort to use an environmental, social and governance lens while choosing our investment strategies is all about.
I believe in SRI because I believe that humanity can and must make valuable progressive changes. If you agree with me and want to work together to spread the word and make our case, then head over to Todd Race Copywriting to start the conversation. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to make the world a better place for all of us.
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