Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to have lunch with five transgender individuals on Sunday during a Vatican event celebrating the Jubilee of the Poor. Among those invited is Alessia Nobile, a prominent transgender activist, who hopes to speak with the Pope about LGBTQ+ rights. This marks the first time a transgender advocate will participate in such a meal, seen by some as a pastoral gesture. While the Church upholds the dignity of all individuals, including transgender people, its teachings do not support the separation of gender from biological sex and question sex-change interventions.
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In response to criticism of the White House’s controversial destruction of the East Wing, the White House website has been updated to include a timeline of “Major Events” featuring scandals involving previous Democratic presidents. These listed incidents include Bill Clinton’s affair, false claims about Barack Obama, Hunter Biden’s drug use, and a misrepresentation of Joe Biden’s stance on transgender rights. This inclusion of past events seemingly attempts to justify the president’s actions, which involve constructing a costly ballroom without congressional approval, despite promises that construction would not impact the existing building. Critics, including Hillary Clinton and former White House staff, have condemned the destruction, raising concerns about corruption and undue influence from potential donors funding the project.
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US Customs and Border Protection recently implemented a rule requiring airlines to disregard “X” sex markers on passports and instead input “M” or “F,” leading to concerns for those with “X” markers. While “X” markers remain valid, the new rule may cause difficulty for trans and non-binary individuals, according to legal experts. Uncertainty surrounds the rule’s enforcement, potentially leaving decisions to individual agents and possibly impacting international travel. Some travelers with “X” markers may face invasive security procedures, and the new rule could disrupt their travel experiences and force them to seek legal counsel.
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In a surprising statement, New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler publicly affirmed that the LGBTQ+ community and transgender people “are not an enemy or a threat.” Though welcomed by advocates, they cautioned that more action is needed, as his past actions and record do not fully support his statement. Lawler’s declaration comes after months of silence on LGBTQ+ issues, which many within the community had been pressing him to address. Despite his recent statement and occasional support for LGBTQ+ initiatives, Lawler has also voted against measures that protect the community. Advocates are hopeful that the community can bring change, but have remained cautiously optimistic.
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During a recent Oval Office meeting focused on trade, former President Donald Trump veered into culture war politics, mocking transgender people in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The meeting, which was intended to be a display of cooperation between the two countries, instead saw Trump attack Democrats, the media, and transgender individuals, boasting about his policies on gender and sports. Carney, whose child identifies as nonbinary, remained silent throughout Trump’s remarks, reflecting the high stakes of the trade relationship between the two nations. Trump’s comments align with his established pattern of targeting transgender and nonbinary people, a recurring theme of his political messaging.
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The Heritage Foundation’s report alleges that “transgender ideology” is linked to half of recent school shootings, calling for the FBI to investigate “Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism.” However, Wired magazine’s analysis reveals the claim is unsubstantiated. The Heritage Foundation’s report defines “transgender ideology” in a way that demonizes trans people, but the magazine found that of dozens of school shootings since 2015, only a few shooters have been credibly identified as trans, and their motivations for violence may not have been related to their gender identity. Experts interviewed by Wired confirm there is no evidence to support the claim that transgender people are disproportionately responsible for mass violence, and data points to cisgender men as the vast majority of mass shooters.
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Four individuals, including three teenagers, have been arrested in Renton, Washington, and are facing hate crime charges related to the assault of a transgender woman. The suspects reportedly argued with the 39-year-old victim before later attacking her, using homophobic slurs and causing serious injuries. The attack, captured on video, involved the victim being chased, knocked to the ground, punched, and kicked. Two teen suspects were arrested near the scene, a third was arrested later, and the fourth suspect, 25-year-old Ramodre Edwards, surrendered to police after being identified from surveillance footage.
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The FBI is reportedly considering categorizing transgender people as “violent extremists,” a move allegedly spurred by organizations linked to Project 2025 and driven by the recent death of right-wing pundit Charlie Kirk. According to reports, the Bureau may treat trans individuals as part of its “Nihilistic Violent Extremists” category, defined as those seeking societal collapse through chaos. This potential classification, fueled by false claims linking a transgender individual to Kirk’s death, is supported by conservative groups seeking to designate “Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism” as a domestic terrorism threat, potentially impacting activists and allies. Despite right-wing efforts to portray trans people as violent, there is no evidence to support significant patterns of violence committed by the transgender community.
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Following Carr’s remarks, Nexstar, a major ABC station owner, swiftly canceled *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, echoing Paramount’s earlier cancellation of Stephen Colbert. This occurred as Nexstar sought FCC approval for a significant acquisition. Carr then speculated that *The View* could be the next target, questioning its status as a “bona fide news show” and whether it should be subject to equal time rules, suggesting the FCC review its classification.
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Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, surrendered peacefully to authorities in Washington County, Utah, after expressing fear of being shot by law enforcement. Prosecutors have charged Robinson with capital murder, citing incriminating messages, DNA evidence, and a note found in his apartment linking him to the crime. Investigators are examining whether others were involved or had prior knowledge of the planned attack. While a clear motive has not been established, authorities are considering whether Kirk’s anti-transgender views were a factor, noting Robinson’s evolving political views and his partner’s transgender identity.
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John Q. Hosedrinker