In a controversial move, Randolph County, North Carolina, commissioners voted to dissolve the entire library board. This decision followed the board’s refusal to ban the children’s book *Call Me Max*, which explores a young transgender boy’s journey. The vote was spurred by community members concerned about the book’s presence in the children’s section, despite the board’s adherence to existing policies. Commissioners expressed personal concerns, leading to a 3-2 vote to abolish the board, leaving the future of the library board uncertain.
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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.
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John Weiser, a 14-year CDC veteran, was terminated from his position as the head of the Medical Monitoring Project due to his refusal to comply with new requirements to report accomplishments through an AI-driven system. Before his termination, Weiser also observed the erasure of transgender data from surveillance reports under the Trump administration, a move he actively resisted by refusing to remove data about opioid misuse among transgender people from a research paper. Despite the end of funding for the Medical Monitoring Project, Weiser ultimately resigned, citing concerns about scientific integrity and the harm caused by decisions to comply with policies that undermined the CDC’s core mission. Weiser’s departure reflects a broader concern about the erosion of scientific principles within the agency due to political pressures.
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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.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed the FBI to implement a cash reward system for information leading to the arrest of leaders of “domestic terrorist organizations,” a definition now encompassing groups associated with “radical gender ideology,” according to a leaked December 4 memo. This directive operationalizes a September National Security Presidential Memorandum, prioritizing investigations and prosecutions tied to an expanded definition of domestic terrorism. The memo flags ideologies such as adherence to “radical gender ideology,” along with positions favoring mass migration and anti-capitalism. Critics argue that the language targets LGBTQ+ communities, potentially encouraging informants to report on peaceful activists based on political affiliations rather than evidence of violence. The memo also orders federal agencies to provide intelligence on “Antifa-aligned” groups, compile a list of potentially terroristic organizations, and publicize the domestic-terrorism tip line.
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During a recent speech, ostensibly focused on the economy, the former president made inflammatory remarks, falsely claiming Democrats aim to make everyone transgender. He used the phrase “transgender for all,” suggesting Democrats want widespread gender transitioning regardless of personal identity. Furthermore, he attacked Rep. Ilhan Omar with false accusations and racist language, including the crowd chanting “send her back!”. Additionally, he admitted to referring to Haiti and African nations as “s**thole countries” in 2018.
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The US Department of Justice has issued a memo removing protections for LGBTQ+ individuals from sexual abuse in prisons, immediately ceasing enforcement of standards designed to shield them from harassment. This directive aligns with previous executive orders that have faced legal challenges, and also directs inspectors to disregard these protections in audits. The Justice Department is working to update Prison Rape Elimination Act (Prea) standards to conform with the anti-transgender policies. Advocates warn that these changes will likely increase violence and chaos within correctional facilities.
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The Women’s Institute, the largest women’s membership organization in the UK, has announced it will restrict formal membership to biological women only. This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that determined transgender women are not legally considered women under the UK’s Equality Act. Despite the change in membership policy, the organization maintains its belief that transgender women are women and plans to launch a network of “sisterhood groups” open to all, including trans women. This move reflects the broader impact of the court’s decision, which has already influenced other organizations and government guidance.
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Following a student’s submission of a paper labeling transgender people as “demonic” and gender roles as “Biblically ordained,” the University of Oklahoma placed a trans graduate instructor on administrative leave. The instructor, who graded the paper with a zero for failing to meet academic criteria, received backlash from the student and right-wing media outlets. The university, after receiving a religious discrimination complaint, initiated a review process, supported by a statement from Governor Kevin Stitt. This has escalated the situation into a statewide debate concerning LGBTQ+ inclusion and the boundaries of academic freedom.
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Authorities have reported that TikTok influencer Girlalala was fatally shot in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, following an argument with her boyfriend, Shanoyd Whyte Jr. The 21-year-old was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a car and pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. According to arrest documents, the argument escalated from verbal to physical, with Whyte admitting to pulling out a firearm. Whyte was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder with a firearm.
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John Q. Hosedrinker