Aggie Law third year student Laura Falco’s article, “The Bad, The Ugly, and The Uglier: How Fear and Misconceptions are Flushing Away Equal Rights and Treatment for Transgender People,” was recently published in Volume 5, Issue 2 of the University of Tennessee College of Law publication, The Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender and Social Justice.
Her article examines the stigmas, stereotypes and violence transgendered people face every day and how the law should protect them, not make life harder. It also looks at the two main arguments opponents use to defeat equal rights ordinances, including the tactic of pushing bathroom bills. In addition, Falco’s paper examines potential solutions to mitigate discrimination targeted at transgender people.
“I wrote this paper after there was an influx of equal rights ordinances being defeated and bathroom bills being passed,” Falco said. “I wanted to take a look at the implications these laws had on the rights of transgendered people. It’s a topic that needs to be discussed.”
She wrote the article for Professor Susan Ayres’ Gender and the Law Seminar course, and also worked with Professor Lynne Rambo in framing up some of her constitutional arguments.
Citing the top ranked reputation of The Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender and Social Justice, Falco said she was pleased to accept their offer to publish.
“It's a pretty amazing honor,” she said. “It was a really great experience working with other law students at a different school.”
Falco said the experience has also encouraged her to urge fellow students to pursue publication of their own scholarship.
“You are already doing the work; if it’s a topic you’re passionate about, do your research and pursue publication," she said. "It will only enhance what you’re already doing.”