They are in music, movies and perhaps will be openly serving in the military.
Austrian Tom Neuwirth Is a “bearded lady” who goes by the stage name of “Conchita Wurst. But he is not in the circus or sideshow.
This weekend he won the Eurovision singing competition in Denmark singing “Rise Like a Phoenix” to the cheers of crowds.
After his unlikely victory, Wurst/Neuwirth said, "This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom."
News.com of Australia said the victory was branded “the end of Europe” by Russia’s anti-gay lobby.
Russia didn’t fare well in the competition. Its delegate was booed and the Ukraine representatives finished higher.
The victory in Eurovision gives insight into battle Moscow is having with Europe and the US.
The Washington Post said Russian politician/activist Vladimir Zhirinovsky said the Eurovision victory was “the end of Europe. There is no limit to our outrage. It has turned wild. There are no more men or women in Europe. Just it. “Fifty years ago the Soviet army occupied Austria,” he added. “We made a mistake in freeing Austria. We should have stayed.” The Post said Zhirinovsky had recently ordered one of his staff to “rape” a pregnant journalist on a live television show.
While the Russian reaction was no surprise, some viewed as startling a statement by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, whose military is still dealing with allowing soldiers, sailors and airmen and women to come out of the closet.
Stars and Stripes quoted Hagel as saying the ban on transvestites “continually should be reviewed.”
Stars and Stripes said an estimated 15,450 transgender personnel already serve in the military, National Guard and Reserve, according to an estimate from San Francisco State University.
Without offering an opinion on the matter, Hagel said “every qualified American who wants to serve our country should have an opportunity if they fit the qualifications and can do it."
Stars and Stripes defined a transgender person as “someone who has acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or presents themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth.”
Those who believe such people are not entitled to the same rights as others will likely argue, as they do with homosexuals, that their choice is not determined at birth. The psychology and psychiatric community has said such people cannot change their sexual characteristics and no one should try to make them.
Transgener performers such as RuPaul [Unlink] have been around for years. “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” was a success as a movie before being staged on Broadway.
Perhaps we are entering an era where we face reality.
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