US judge blocks Trump administration’s push to end legal status of 8,400 migrants, and honestly, the immediate reaction is one of, well, *why*? Why this relentless push to uproot and destabilize the lives of people who are here legally? It’s a question that echoes through the current political landscape, a sentiment of bewilderment at a seemingly ceaseless campaign to inflict hardship. There’s a fundamental disconnect between the stated goals and the actual consequences, a feeling that something deeper is at play.
The core of it, the underlying thread, seems to be a desire to, as some would put it, “hurt people.”… Continue reading
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating multiple school districts, including one in Maine, regarding complaints about transgender students. The investigations, stemming from alleged violations of the administration’s interpretation of Title IX, focus on policies allowing transgender girls to participate in girls’ athletics. In Maine, the investigation of Regional School Unit 19 concerns a complaint that the district allowed a male student to join a co-ed cheerleading squad and use female facilities. This investigation follows the president’s rescinding of a prior interpretation of Title IX and the state’s opposing stance, including a lawsuit against the Department of Education.
Read More
The Department of Homeland Security reported that a Minnesota Hilton hotel canceled reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after they booked rooms using government emails and rates. The hotel’s operators stated they were not allowing ICE agents to stay. While a Hilton spokesperson initially stated that the cancellation did not reflect Hilton’s values and that they were investigating, the hotel chain later announced it would remove the hotel from its system and reinforce its standards. The incident sparked controversy, including both negative and positive reviews, and the hotel owner, Everpeak Hospitality, stated they do not discriminate and are working to accommodate the impacted guests.
Read More
A year after Texas implemented a policy blocking transgender residents from updating their state IDs, the state has compiled a list containing information on over 100 individuals who attempted to do so. The Texas Department of Public Safety gathered the names and license numbers of these individuals, sending them to a specific agency email account, though the exact purpose of this list remains undisclosed. Despite requests for clarification, state officials have not revealed the rationale behind collecting this data, nor if it is shared with other agencies. This action raises concerns among advocates, who fear the list might be used to further restrict the rights of transgender Texans, especially given recent legislation defining gender on state documents and limiting restroom access.
Read More
A transgender NSA data scientist, Sarah O’Neill, is suing the Trump administration, alleging that the president’s executive order declaring only two sexes violates federal law by denying her existence and creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit claims new policies stemming from the order, such as the NSA no longer recognizing her transgender identity and restricting bathroom access, violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity according to the Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County. O’Neill seeks the restoration of her workplace rights and financial damages, arguing that the order rejects the concept of gender identity and has been used across the federal government, including against states, to restrict trans inclusion and strip trans identities from official documents.
Read More
Texas authorities have compiled a list of over 100 transgender individuals, raising concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the information. The state began collecting this data in August 2024, when the Attorney General changed the rules for updating gender markers on driver’s licenses, forwarding the information of those denied marker changes to an internal email address. Despite requests, officials have refused to explain the list’s purpose, but historical precedents suggest the collection of such data could be harmful. This action follows previous attempts to gather similar information and comes amid anti-transgender legislation in Texas.
Read More
Girlguiding has announced that trans girls and young women, as well as others not recorded female at birth, will no longer be able to join as new members. This decision follows legal advice prompted by the Supreme Court ruling on gender earlier this year and its implications on the Equality Act. The organization emphasized its commitment to inclusion and plans to support marginalized groups through a new taskforce. While there will be no immediate changes for current members, the ruling effectively restricts membership to girls and young women as defined by biological sex.
Read More
A group of 17 transgender Air Force members is suing the U.S. government over the revocation of their early retirement pensions and benefits, a move the plaintiffs say is unlawful. The lawsuit follows the Air Force’s decision to deny early retirement to transgender service members with 15-18 years of service, separating them without benefits. This action, potentially costing affected service members up to $2 million in lifetime earnings and health insurance, is part of a larger trend of policies targeting transgender troops. The Pentagon has not commented, but officials have noted 4,240 troops have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, an identifier of being transgender.
Read More
Seventeen transgender members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have filed a lawsuit alleging the Air Force unlawfully revoked their approved retirement orders. The plaintiffs, with 15-18 years of service, were granted retirement dates, but those orders were rescinded following the Trump administration’s transgender military ban. The complaint argues the reversal violated the Air Force’s own rules, as the orders were valid and revocation should only occur in narrow circumstances that did not apply. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement of the original retirement orders, restoration of benefits, and compensation for lost pay.
Read More
Employees at a VA hospital in Hampton, Virginia, reportedly received a warning earlier this month against displaying LGBTQ+ Pride-themed items. The directive, potentially stemming from an executive order, allegedly originated from local leadership, specifically interim executive director Michael W. Harper, who allegedly stated that staff could not “promote” the LGBTQ+ community, but later appeared to walk back those comments. The alleged directive caused concern among staff, with some reporting threats of disciplinary action for non-compliance. While the VA has not clarified the origin or approval of the ban, the incident comes amid recent actions by the VA that have restricted transgender healthcare access.
Read More
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker
Minneapolis Hilton Reverses Decision, Apologizes for Canceling ICE Reservations
The Department of Homeland Security reported that a Minnesota Hilton hotel canceled reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after they booked rooms using government emails and rates. The hotel’s operators stated they were not allowing ICE agents to stay. While a Hilton spokesperson initially stated that the cancellation did not reflect Hilton’s values and that they were investigating, the hotel chain later announced it would remove the hotel from its system and reinforce its standards. The incident sparked controversy, including both negative and positive reviews, and the hotel owner, Everpeak Hospitality, stated they do not discriminate and are working to accommodate the impacted guests.
Read More