Importance of Human Rights for Transgender Communities

The provided sources are a collection of academic articles that explore the significance of human rights for transgender communities. The research topic is focused on understanding the rights of transgender individuals, including marriage equality and discrimination protections. The assignment emphasizes the importance of knowledge about medical science options available to transgender people and involves civil rights litigators to determine actual issues and experiences faced by LGBTQ communities.

Running head: HUMAN RIGHTS
Human Rights
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction:
The intention of the report is to evaluate the decision given by the Court of Final Appeal
of Hong Kong in the landmark case W v. The Registrar of Marriages. In this regard, the
research intended to make reference to various journals and scholarly articles in order to evaluate
the decision of the present case study. The research highlighted various arguments made by
different authors regarding the rights of transgender. The research is commissioned to examine
the how the relevant sources and the views of different authors would be beneficial in
understanding the constitutional validity of the decision given in W v. The Registrar of
Marriages.
Discussion:
1. Horton, Lisa, ‘Meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, or
questioning students through the school library collection’ (2016) 20 Teacher
Librarian, 44.1
The Authors intended to highlight the importance of gender identity in modern era. In
this regard, the Author rightly stated that there is a major distinction between sexual identity and
gender identity. However, the author has not intended to distinguish between the two concepts
rather she focused on the underlying issues faced by the LGBTQ community. According to the
perspective of the Author, a person possessing thoughts of same-sex is considered as a gay or
lesbian however, persons who are unable to identify their gender assigned to them during birth
are identified as transgender. In the opinion of the Author, being a transgender is the most
challenging experience and therefore children being identified at an early age are being bullied at
educational institutions. By analyzing the source it can be stated that various library resources

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shall provide appropriate knowledge and understanding with the help of which transgender can
identify themselves which can eliminate their feeling of loneliness and despair. Therefore, the
issues regarding recognition of transgender men and women were efficiently addressed by the
author. The article discussed about the identification of transgender communities and their right
to marry someone of the opposite sex. In this regard, the article proved to be convenient for
conducting the research.
2. Navaratnam, Reannon, and Isabelle Lee, ‘Same sex marriage in Hong Kong: a right
is more than a referendum’ (2015) 220-227 International Journal of Human Rights
and Constitutional Studies, 3.3
The Authors emphasized of the legalization of same-sex marriage. In this regard, the
Authors have made reference to the contemporary scenario in Hong Kong regarding the
legalization of same sex marriage which is a topic of global controversy. In the perspectives of
the Authors, in spite of various newly introduced laws and regulations in Hong Kong, no legal
recognition has been given till date towards the identification of transgender and the union of
same-sex couples. Since time immemorial, much emphasis has been laid on the importance of
same-sex marriage which is a major concern for human rights associations however, the issues
regarding right to marriage and marriage equality were not fully recognized by these
associations. After proper evaluation, it is noteworthy to mention here that the article efficiently
determined the present condition of Hong Kong and its approach towards the legalization of
same-sex marriage. The purpose of the article was to evaluate the principles of human rights
which can be rightly applied to the controversy of same-sex marriage. However, the counter-
arguments that have been presented by other scholars for the purpose of objecting same-sex
marriage has been taken into account by applying different perspectives of human rights. In this

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regard, it is worth noting that the article was proved to be beneficial as it provided valuable
information regarding the topic of research. The article was appropriate as it contained relevant
information about the present subject of research.
3. Winter, Sam, ‘Identity recognition without the knife: Towards a gender recognition
ordinance for Hong Kong's transsexual people’ (2014) 115 Hong Kong LJ, 44
The Author intended to highlight the facts regarding the recognition of gender legislation
for transgender communities in Hong Kong. However, that the nature of such legislation is both
extensive and far reaching. The Author examined that both surgical and hormonal treatments are
not medically required by the transgender community. However, they undergo various medical
treatments in order to become an integral part of the society. In the opinion of the Author, the
transgender are less concerned about their anatomy, they opt for medical surgeries because they
want to see themselves as recognized citizens of the society. After proper and detailed
examination of the article it can be observed that the Author has emphasized on the significance
of gender recognition in the society and in the lives of transgender community. The article has
effectively evaluated the prevailing health conditions of the transgender community. In this
regard, the article analyzed various arguments and counter arguments regarding the objectives of
human rights commission against the refusal of legalization of same-sex marriage and
recognition of marriage equality. It can be finally stated that the chosen article proved to be
advantageous in serving the purpose of the research as the article contained various theoretical
perspectives about the recognition of transgender communities and their rights. However, the
article has not paid special attention to the need of sterilization.

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4. Westbrook Laurel and Kristen Schilt, ‘Doing gender, determining gender:
Transgender people, gender panics, and the maintenance of the sex/gender/sexuality
system’ (2014) 32-57 Gender & Society, 28.1
The Authors explained the importance of gender determination in a contemporary
society. Therefore, the article has rightly placed the concept of gender determination under
different gender categories. The Authors intended to draw three case studies in order to indicate
the factors which recognized as individual as a man and as a woman. However, the Authors have
focused on the conduction of public debates in order to emphasize on the employment rights of
transgender and introduce policies for determining the acceptability of the transgender in the
world of competitive sports. The Authors made reference to the three case studies and thereby
proposed measures for the elimination of the genital surgery requirement for the purpose of
changing the sex marker option on the birth certificates. The Authors intended to determine
gender discrimination and difference across social spaces. After evaluation of the article it can be
emphasized that the Authors tried to explain the distinction between transgender policy issues
and broad gender issues, which contributed towards the recognition of various underlying
concepts regarding right to marriage and marriage equality in case of transgender people. As the
article deals with the determination of transgender people which is closely related to their
recognition and therefore it served as a relevant source for the research assignment.
5. Flores, Andrew R, ‘Attitudes toward transgender rights: Perceived knowledge and
secondary interpersonal contact’ (2015) 398-416 Politics, Groups, and Identities, 3.3
The Author presented the view of the society towards the transgender communities. The
Author emphasized that in modern environment, transgender communities face various

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uncertainties. In spite of several efforts on the part of the Government to introduce gender
identity policies, they were not whole heartedly accepted by the society. The policies in some
cases related to marriage equality and the right to marry on the part of the transgender
communities failed to gain appropriate recognition. According to the Author the policies of
gender identity involved public opinion as they were developed within the framework of
legislative processes. The Author presented a detailed research in which the attitude of the
Americans towards the transgender communities has been reflected. In this regard, the prevailing
rights regarding the transgender communities in USA have been examined. In the perspective of
the Author that traditionally it has been difficult on the part of the government to incorporate
gender identity in the prevailing non-discrimination policies. The Author examined that the
transgender people were not recognized as a respectable individual of the society and were
subjected to gender-based discriminations. After analyzing the source it can be observed that
different municipal and state level efforts were conducted which proved to be successful in some
parts however, the states failed to execute legislative policies relating to transgender rights for
the purpose of recognizing transgender communities. The different perspectives of public
opinion and public policy in support of transgender non-discrimination policies were
emphasized. In this regard, it can be noted that this article proved to be fruitful in proceeding
with the present research topic as it helped to identify various legislative policies and different
state laws which could protect the interests of the transgender communities.
6. Cruz, Taylor M, ‘Assessing access to care for transgender and gender
nonconforming people: a consideration of diversity in combating
discrimination’ (2014) 65-73 Social science & medicine, 110

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In the perspective of the Author transgender communities face discrimination from
different sections of the society to a large extent. It has been emphasized by the Author that such
discrimination has affected the healthcare conditions of this group in medical sectors. However,
according to the Author such discriminations enumerated as a result of disturbing experiences of
the past. The Author examined the applicability of the National Transgender Discrimination
Survey in evaluating the conditions of the transgender community and their recognition to a large
extent. In this regard, after proper examination of the article it can be identified that from the
very beginning the article proposed the foundation of an innovative categorized system to
address the issues faced by the transgender people in the health sectors and also in social sphere
in relation to their right to marriage and marriage equality. Therefore, the relevant information
depicted in the article served as a useful source of information in conducting the present
research. It can be stated that by utilizing and implementing the ideas depicted in the article one
can develop clear knowledge about the identification of gender-discrimination, transgender
disclosure and their conditions in modern health sectors.
7. Levasseur, M ‘Gender identity defines sex: Updating the law to reflect modern
medical science is key to transgender rights’ (2014) 943 Vt. L. Rev, 39
The Author intended to put forward a new concept by highlighting the importance of
justice which is linked to the identification of transgender community. The Author argued that in
order to have clear understanding regarding the rights of transgender community, it is important
on the part of the courts to have knowledge about the options available to the transgender people
in the field of medical science. It is important to involve civil rights litigators for the purpose of
determining the actual issues and experiences faced by the LGBTQ communities. According to
the Author if an individual is unable to recognize the role played by gender identity and sex-

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determination then he shall continue to tear apart the dignity of the transgender people.
Therefore, the court shall not be able to recognize the importance of gender identity in sex-
determination and thereby appropriate justice cannot be provided in relation to their rights to
marry the same-sex and the issues regarding marriage equality.This article was effective as it
helped in understanding the matter that why the Courts could not provide appropriate justice to
the transgender communities by safeguarding their interests and rights.
8. Sellers, Mitchell Dylan, ‘Discrimination and the transgender population: Analysis of
the functionality of local government policies that protect gender identity’ (2014) 70-
86 Administration & Society, 46.1
The Author intended was commissioned to examine the policies of non-discrimination
for successful implementation of human resources. According to the Author, people are not
aware of the existing programs and policies which prevent discrimination of transgender
communities in workplace. After analyzing the source it was found that the policies of gender
identity has been applied in different areas for the purpose of prohibiting discrimination against
employees belonging to transgender communities. It can be observed that as a result of proper
implementation of such policies, the rights of transgender communities have been safeguarded to
some extent and these communities have been efficiently recognized by the society. The chosen
article from the very beginning emphasized on non-discriminating policies related to transgender
rights and equality and therefore it can be regarded as an appropriate choice for the research
topic.
Conclusion:

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In the conclusion it can be stated that the abovementioned sources were convenient
enough to serve the purpose of the research related to the importance of human rights. The eight
references listed above equally contributed towards the successful completion of the assignment.
It can be finally concluded that each article contained relevant information which contributed
favorably in designing the structure of the research in a more accurate and specific way.
Word Count: 2000.
References:
Cruz, Taylor M, ‘Assessing access to care for transgender and gender nonconforming people: a
consideration of diversity in combating discrimination’ (2014) 65-73 Social science &
medicine, 110
Flores, Andrew R, ‘Attitudes toward transgender rights: Perceived knowledge and secondary
interpersonal contact’ (2015) 398-416 Politics, Groups, and Identities, 3.3
Horton, Lisa, ‘Meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, or questioning
students through the school library collection’ (2016) 20 Teacher Librarian, 44.1
Levasseur, M ‘Gender identity defines sex: Updating the law to reflect modern medical science
is key to transgender rights’ (2014) 943 Vt. L. Rev, 39
Navaratnam, Reannon, and Isabelle Lee, ‘Same sex marriage in Hong Kong: a right is more than
a referendum’ (2015) 220-227 International Journal of Human Rights and Constitutional
Studies, 3.3

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Sellers, Mitchell Dylan, ‘Discrimination and the transgender population: Analysis of the
functionality of local government policies that protect gender identity’ (2014) 70-86
Administration & Society, 46.1
Westbrook Laurel and Kristen Schilt, ‘Doing gender, determining gender: Transgender people,
gender panics, and the maintenance of the sex/gender/sexuality system’ (2014) 32-57 Gender &
Society, 28.1
Winter, Sam, ‘Identity recognition without the knife: Towards a gender recognition ordinance for
Hong Kong's transsexual people’ (2014) 115 Hong Kong LJ, 44