In recent weeks, everything and the opposite of everything has been said about the #greenpass, and for a few weeks now also from a trans* perspective, since as T subjects we have raised some objections and above all concerns regarding the identification and consequent forced outing of trans* people with documents that do not correspond to their gender identity. We have decided to give a concrete answer to these doubts without relying on the clamor of social media and mainstream media, which could have – and unfortunately have – exploited our concerns for anti-vax / no green pass propaganda purposes.
Let's dispel any doubts right away: this isn't yet another campaign tied to imaginary conspiracies because "a friend of my cousin who works in the sector told me so." During these nearly two years of health emergency, the LGBTQIA+ community has experienced the inequalities of the National Health Service firsthand. These inequalities, exacerbated by the pandemic, have made people even more vulnerable who, even in "normal" times, aren't at the top of the government's list of concerns. We responded with great responsibility, closing meeting places that also provided assistance, because often when you're not at home, even at home, the only hope is a few hours spent in social circles with those people who, for many of us, are now our true families. We gave up Pride marches, returning to the squares this year, even having to negotiate with difficulty for space, methods, and participants, while all around us we witnessed marches and sit-ins, some unauthorized, some bearing fascist symbols.
Having made the necessary introduction, and knowing that some outlets will continue to exploit our initiative, here's the current state of play: we immediately shared our concerns with institutions regarding the exposure of trans* people to real-world situations during identification, and we did so quietly precisely because we didn't want to be exploited by the right-wing press. Obviously, simply talking to institutions wasn't enough, because beyond presenting a problem, it's important to work hard to propose solutions. Therefore, we created a group to address the issue of the green pass from a trans*, transfeminist, and intersectional perspective, as we'll see later. This group has produced suggestions for guidelines for verifiers.
We did this by seeking a solution that would not conflict with the pressing need, relying on what already exists: the right to privacy and respect for human dignity, two issues that effectively concern all citizens, not just transgender people.
We questioned the use of the green pass not only in relation to restaurants and other leisure facilities, but also in the workplace and for the use of public services. These are situations in which trans* people—even in times not plagued by the virus—find themselves every day, forced to deadname, further misgendered when the "deception" is discovered that the identified person does not match the document shown.
As regards the inspectors, we have proposed that where it is necessary to show the green pass at the workplace, this task should be carried out by the personnel office as it is already the data controller of the data subject to the restriction.
Privacy, just as in schools of all levels and universities, only student administration offices should carry out checks. Furthermore, we believe it's important to remind staff assigned to carry out checks that there are obligations and sanctions for breaches of privacy, but they should also suggest checks that respect everyone's personal dignity.
We also suggested a system that would protect both the dignity of all those checked and the need to stem the usual army of cheats who might think they're using their grandfather's pass: a double-check system, like those used by banking circuits to confirm online transactions, whereby once the "green light" is received, scanning the QR code displays a text message containing no personal data but an alphanumeric code that can only be sent to the number provided when downloading the green pass.
To conclude our series of suggestions, addressed to members of Parliament, as well as to trade unions and law enforcement agencies, we offer the following considerations: in light of the collaborative effort involving various LGBTQIA+ groups and others, it is necessary to once again emphasize the urgent need to address the issue of alias careers in schools and workplaces, as well as in the use of public services. In light of several reports received from students and MIUR staff at all levels, as well as from those working in both the public and private sectors, we reiterate that it is unlawful to require a gender incongruence diagnosis from those initiating the process of activating an alias career (in the case of uncorrected personal documents) because such a request violates current privacy legislation. An alias career is a right of trans* people, protecting the inviolable rights of man as enshrined in Article 2 of the Constitution.
All this to reiterate that struggles never take a vacation and that, obviously, this process has also brought us back to the crucial issue of the reform of Law 164/82 and the protocols for gender reaffirmation, which must not and cannot be written this time without listening to the people who need to be protected, namely the trans* community, which cannot continue to depend on the biases and prejudices of a cisgender, heterosexual, and binary political class that, even in 2021, still treats gender identity as a whim.
Signs:
ACQUE – Association for Queer Culture
National Agedo (and all territories)
Antéros LGBTI Padova
Arcigay Friuli Odv
Arcigay Modena Matthew Shepard
Arcigay Rainbow Vercelli Valsesia
Turritani Rainbows
Brianza Beyond the Rainbow aps
Collectivə Bruna
Collective equally Frosinone
Melitea Group
The Sentinels of Rome
NEG ZONE
NovarArcobaleno
NUDM Marche
Rainbow Parents Network
SPIGA Sardinia
The article GREEN PASS AND TRANS PEOPLE. The problem exists, but don't call us anti-vaxxers. Not even with our dead names! comes from Centaurus Arcigay Südtirol Alto Adige.
