Transgender appointment is 'political correctness run amok,' critic charges

Washington D.C., Jan 5, 2010 / 17:35 pm

President Obama recently appointed a “transgendered” man as a Senior Technical Adviser to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Amanda Simpson, a former test pilot for Raytheon who now identifies himself as female, will serve in the Bureau of Industry and Security. Critics of the appointment argue that it is "political correctness run amok."

Simpson, a board member of Out & Equal and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), said on Dec. 31 that  he is “truly honored to have received this appointment” and expressed a desire “that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others.”

“What's unfortunate,” said Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs for the Liberty Counsel, is that Simpson “has a history of radical transgender activism.” Barber explained to CNA that the issue is not simply having a transgendered person in a prestigious position of authority in the government, but the apparent agenda that this individual has.

“He may very well be qualified for this position but it appears that he was not picked (merely) for his qualifications, he was picked because of his wardrobe,” Barber commented to CNA. “That is not diversity or tolerance. It's political correctness run amok.”

Speaking to ABC News, Mara Keisling, the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, countered, "This is a real serious technical policy position and the job matches her resume. Her being transgender had nothing to do with getting that job."

However, Barber continued to express his concern regarding the future ramifications of Simpson's appointment, arguing that it is part of a larger movement within the current administration.“With hate crimes legislation and ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act) and other radical GLBT pieces of legislation that are being pushed by the Obama Administration,” Barber told CNA, those who disagree with the GLBT perspective “literally can and will face criminal or civil penalty.”

Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth voiced similar concern on the Focus on the Family Action website on Jan. 4. “Is there going to be a transgender quota now in the Obama Administration? How far does this politics of gay and transgender activism go? Clearly this is an administration that is pandering to the gay lobby,” he said.

Barber added that in his opinion “there is no doubt” that Simpson's appointment “is an effort to normalize” transgender issues and “desensitize” American society.