Upholding the universal equality of humankind before us in the
sacred fashion of our forebears, we too recognize self-evident truths
and pursue unalienable rights.
Among our endowed rights, we cherish most the freedom to choose
for ourselves our own identities and to put aside the restraints of
ignorant oppressors and indifferent bureaucracies.
United in common purpose and mutual resolve, we gather in this
place to declare liberty from the prescriptions and constraints of
those gender roles constructed and thrust upon us from birth without
our consent.
Affirming that all human beings carry within themselves an
ever-unfolding idea of who they are and what they are capable of
acheiving, we rise as one to proclaim the fundamental right of all
humankind to define and redefine their own identities.
Representing all races, nationalities, ethnicities, creeds,
classes and sexes, we profess that we are one and all a people whose
diverse gifts and energies find common ground in the transcension of
conventional gender boundaries.
Recognizing that all are rooted in the human condition, we
nevertheless assert the right to name ourselves and to choose such
language as best characterizes both our differences and our
commonalities.
Therefore, we throw off the shackles of gender tyranny to uplift
the dignity of those known to themselves and to all the world as
transgendered people.
We are cognizant and proud of the many contributions to the
human journey made by our transgendered brothers and sisters, which
contributions stretch over the centuries to the very beginnings of
recorded history.
We pause to solemnly honor and to celebrate those who have
passed this way before us.
(Individual voices from the audience call out the names of
transgendered heroes and heroines from a prepared list arranged
chronologically, earliest to latest, e.g. "Jean D'Arc")
We know that our progenitors yearned for the same freedom of
identity that we seek. We know that they struggled and suffered for
the sake of re-imaging themselves.
We know that many died in the pursuit of truth and justice. We
take comfort and courage in the meaning of their lives. Their examples
give us hope and light the path to freedom.
And so, in the stead of our transgendered ancestors, mindful of
the dangers and pitfalls they faced, but uniformly resolute in our
purpose and confident of the outcome, we cheerfully take up the cause
of justice and liberty to free ourselves and our posterity from the
tyranny of gender.
The Declaration
By these precepts we propose to transcend the bonds of gender
oppression and prejudice:
We proclaim that our identities are not determined by virtue of
our chromosomal sex, our genitalia, our assigned sex as males or
females, or our initial gender roles.
We cherish and uplift above all else, the universal right to
define and redefine new identities in accord with our own images and
self-conceptions and without regard for the limitations and
conformations dictated by the tyrant called gender.
We declare our right and duty to express self-defined identities
freely and with due care for the human rights and sensibilities of all
others to whom we are accountable. And for those who are accountable
to us, we covenant to acknowledge and respect their identities in
accord with their wishes and in such fashion as we would wish to be
acknowledged and respected.
We will steadfastly resist attempts to subject us, one or all,
to economic deprivation by denying us opportunities to train for and
pursue gainful employment while manifesting our chosen identities.
We demand equal compensation for our labor. We insist upon
dignity for ourselves and for all other workers. We ask admittance to
all spaces and activities to which we are entitled by virtue of our
self-defined identities.
We proclaim that our bodies belong to us alone. We take
responsibility for the care and nurture of our bodies and assert our
rights to change and alter our bodies in such ways and by such means
as are pleasing to us, the owners.
We demand competent medical care and expect equal access to the
same professional services provided to others.
We refuse to permit anyone to characterize us as diseased,
dysphoric or disordered solely by virtue of our self-defined gender
identities.
We affirm our right to the free expression of our sexual natures
in private, adult, consensual relationships.
We profess the right to form committed, loving relationships
with one another and to enter into marital contracts by virtue of
those relationships without regard to our own or our partner's
perceived status as male or female.
We assert also our rights to conceive, bear, or adopt children,
to nurture and have custody of children and to exercise parental
capacities.
We deplore the actions of those who seek to stigmatize us and
rob us of our dignity. We vow to work diligently to banish ignorance
with enlightenment and to strive with equal fervor for the liberation
of our oppressors and detractors.
We abhor violence and come in peace and humility, seeking
dignity, justice and freedom, not only for ourselves but for all
humankind.
We vow upon our sacred honor to break the bonds of fear,
degradation, oppression and bigotry. We come to build bridges of
trust, dignity, compassion and love.
Hand in hand, pursuing life, liberty and happiness, we go out
with love in our hearts, care in our eyes and comfort for one another
on our lips.
Let it be known that we passed through this world for no other
purpose than to share our indivudual gifts for the good of all
humankind.
End of Document