LGBTQI Activist: There Is Only The 'Human Agenda'

Joe Wenke is a writer, activist and the founder of Trans Über, a publishing company that promotes LGBTQI community rights.

His most recent book is “The Human Agenda: Conversations about Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity.” In it Wenke and his guests tell stories of the search for shared humanity in an increasingly polarized world. Wenke argues there is no homosexual agenda, or transgender agenda, there is just the human agenda, summed up by the concept of our common and unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

From national to local media, the White House to the DMV, America is inching towards an acknowledgement and acceptance of LGBTQI rights.

The list of accomplishments is long, but the struggle for LGBTQI rights remains. Beyond threats of bullying and violence, there are no national laws protecting the LGBTQI community from discrimination. It is legal in a majority of states to discriminate against LGBTQI people in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodation.

Wenke spoke about bridgeable divides and the LGBTQI community at Town Hall Seattle on April 17. He was joined on stage by transgender model and activist Gisele Alicea and Seattle Children’s Hospital gender specialist Aidan Key.

This conversation was presented by Town Hall and University Book Store as part of the Civics Series. Thanks to Kevin Mitchem for our recording.