The Trump administration’s campaign to make life more difficult for transgender Americans entered a new phase this weekend. On Saturday, according to the New York Times, the administration announced that it would gut an anti-discrimination statute when it comes to health care access for transgender patients.
The rule, passed under the Obama administration in 2016, had prevented health care providers receiving federal financial assistance — including those receiving Medic...
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Pence secretly drafted Trump’s latest transgender military ban
When President Trump announced a new ban on transgender people serving in the military late Friday, it was somewhat of a surprise — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had reportedly recommended in February that Trump allow transgender people to serve. It turns out that Vice President Pence and some of the country’s most prominent anti-LGBTQ activists had a role in reversing the outcome, which explains why the report explaining the decision is rife with anti-trans junk science.
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Trans author Sarah McBride reflects on life lessons and the progress of equality
In her 27 years, activist and author Sarah McBride has already experienced many significant life events. Her new memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality documents the whirlwind that has been her past six years.
In 2012, she came out as transgender as she finished her term as student body president at American University. She went on to become the first openly trans intern at the White House, the face of the fight for transgender equa...
Illinois gubernatorial candidate unleashes hateful ad attacking trans people
Illinois state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R) is challenging incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) in the upcoming gubernatorial primary, attacking him from the right. Her campaign’s latest ad, however, does so by taking aim at various groups, including teachers, transgender people, and young feminists.
An actor portraying a mockery of a transgender woman thanks Rauner “for signing legislation that lets me use the girls’ bathroom,” even though the bill referenced on screen ...
Justice Department issues new ‘religious freedom’ memo that invites anti-LGBTQ discrimination
Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued extensive guidance Friday morning regarding “Protections for Religious Liberty” throughout the federal government. The document scrupulously avoids mentioning the LGBTQ community by name but it is undeniably the latest in a string of actions targeting LGBTQ rights.
Among the 20 “key principles” in Sessions’ memo are several assurances that the government will not penalize religious organizations for their religious ...
Experts confirm gender identity is biological and say insurers should cover trans health needs
The Endocrine Society, an international organization of medical experts and biological researchers, has released a new set of guidelines for caring for transgender patients. Along with the guidelines, the organization has issued a position statement calling on federal and private insurers to cover the costs of all medical interventions a physician might prescribe for a transgender patient, including hormone replacement therapies and surgeries.
The updated guidelines and position sta...
McCain joins new legislative effort to overturn Trump’s trans military ban
It became clear Thursday that the Senate would not consider an amendment to the defense budget addressing President Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, but lawmakers have not given up. On Friday, they introduced a separate bill addressing the ban, with new bipartisan support: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
The bill expands upon bipartisan support the amendment already enjoyed from Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Susan Collins (R-ME), but...
Trump announces he’s kicking thousands of transgender people out of the military
He made the announcement on Twitter.CREDIT: AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Without warning or explanation, President Trump announced on Twitter Wednesday morning that he is unilaterally reversing the military’s plan to allow transgender service:
body[data-twttr-rendered="true"] {background-color: transparent;}.twitter-tweet {margin: auto !important;}After consultation with my Generals and military experts,...
Chris Christie signs two pro-transgender bills into law
The new laws take New Jersey in the opposite direction Trump is taking the country.CREDIT: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
On Friday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) surprised many when he signed two different bills advancing transgender equality into law. While both are positive advancements for the state, they coincidentally mirror prominent ways the Trump administration is rolling back transgender rights.<...