"Where justice is concerned, no half measures are acceptable."
Before there was a human—rights ordinance, before there was a transgender community, before there was a gay—rights movement, before any of this, there was a Renee Hanover. Her small stature belies her giant courage and the unfathomable impact that she had on every one of your lives. You may not have heard of her, but she touched every one of you.
So when Beth and I attended a remarkable event on the 12th of March, a farewell party at Star Gaze for this well—known and beloved civil—rights leader, we didn't know that we would be witnessing such a moving and memorable event. Renee Hanover, a major icon of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history in Chicago was retiring from the local scene, and moving to warm and sunny Los Angeles. What a loss for Chicago!
Renee did so much for the community that I can hardly do her justice in this column. Now in her 70s, she had been a civil—rights activist for nearly 60 years, ever since she was a teenager. And, as the first out and proud lesbian lawyer in the country, she fought for our rights for over 40 years..
She fought for Jewish rights, for women's rights, for the rights of racial minorities, and for the rights of gays and lesbians. She fought in the courtrooms, and on the streets. She led the protest demonstrations that became known as Rainbow Beach. She was very much the "in—your—face" activist when the situation called for it, and the feisty, wisecracking lawyer the rest of the time. And during this time, she realized that in order to be effective, to be passionate, to win the battles, she had to do it for herself, not for anyone else.
In one of her earliest cases, she actually overturned Chicago's infamous crossdressing ordinance. This was back in the 䚌s and early 䚖s. Back then, if you were caught wearing less than three items of gender—appropriate clothing, you could be arrested and thrown in jail. The law was used as an excuse by the Chicago police to conduct regular raids on gay bars, and haul in all the drag queens and butch women. Needless to say, it was a difficult time for transgender people. During that case she was very careful to point out to the judge that he was the one wearing a dress in the courtroom, and she was wearing a suit.
Renee never forgot that transgender people were an important part of the community. She never forgot that it was the transgender women who fought back at the Stonewall bar that night 30 years ago. The date will be forever remembered as the start of the gay—rights movement, but the transgender women who started it are largely forgotten—tossed out by a movement that became increasingly transphobic as it tried to mainstream the gay—rights movement to represent only those who could pass for straight. Renee never forgot!
And while HRC was pushing for an Employment Nondiscrimination Act that excluded gender—variant people, and groups like It's Time, Illinois, PFLAG and NGLTF were pulling their support from ENDA, Renee spoke from the heart on our behalf. She said, "In the very early 䚪s, as an openly lesbian attorney, I had many cases representing transsexual clients in all areas of the law. Also there were many transsexuals working hard in support of lesbians and gays. I know that if discrimination is continued against this class of people [ in any area ] , none of us will benefit. And, this is definitely pay—back—time. NGLTF could have played the 'one—foot in the door game' [ which would allow L/G/Bs in the door and presumably then try to keep the door open enough so that transsexuals could slip in ] , but that is unprincipled, wasteful of our time and efforts and unethical."
At her farewell bash on the 12th, one after the other, the people whose lives were touched by Renee Hanover stood up and told stories. Funny stories, touching stories, historic stories, forgotten stories. Words of appreciation from generations of people who benefited from her wisdom, courage, and chutzpah. Generations of Chicago's leading activists, advocates, community organizers, politicians, and just plain folks. Folks who she interacted with over the decades, and whose lives were changed by the courage that her words gave them, and the role model she provided.
And so when she spoke at this event about never forgetting the contribution of transgender people to the gay—rights movement, and about the need to amend the ordinances to include us, I just felt proud to have had the opportunity to know this remarkable woman. And when I gave her a hug to express my love for her and all she had done for us, and to express my appreciation, she could only say, "Don't thank me! I should be thanking you for continuing the fight." And when I said to her that, by God, we would amend the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance, and do it for her, she said, "Miranda, that's great, honey—but do it for yourself!"
MirandaSt1@aol.com .
