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.
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Following the Minneapolis Catholic church shooting, Justice Department officials are considering proposals to limit transgender people’s firearm rights, potentially building on the narrative that gender dysphoria is a mental illness disqualifying individuals from gun ownership. This consideration represents a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s policies targeting transgender Americans, despite legal hurdles. While the DOJ aims to prevent those with gender dysphoria from obtaining firearms, this potential ban has raised concerns about unfairly targeting a vulnerable population, as well as the implications of defining gender dysphoria as a mental illness for Second Amendment rights. This decision comes as the DOJ has previously targeted gender-affirming care through subpoenas.
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A United Nations draft report alleges a global effort to redefine “women” and erode their legal standing, with the aim of excluding them as a distinct category, based on biological sex. The report, compiled by the OHCHR’s special rapporteur, Reem Alsalem, also claims gender dysphoria is “socially contagious” and calls for restrictions on transitioning for minors. Furthermore, it commends the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of “woman” and advocates for female-only spaces, despite a lack of evidence supporting the idea that trans women are a threat to cisgender women. The report’s conclusions rely on disputed theories and research, which have been criticized for promoting anti-trans sentiment.
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The Supreme Court temporarily allowed the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service members, overturning a lower court’s injunction. This ban, framed as a restriction based on gender dysphoria rather than transgender identity, was challenged by current and aspiring transgender service members who argued it violated their constitutional rights. The Supreme Court’s decision, while temporary, suggests a likely future victory for the administration. The ban surpasses previous iterations by discharging active-duty personnel and is considered discriminatory by advocacy groups.
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Brazil’s CFM council raised the minimum age for transgender individuals to access hormone therapy from 16 to 18, also prohibiting puberty blockers for minors with gender dysphoria. The council further increased the minimum age for certain gender reassignment surgeries to 21. This decision follows similar actions in other countries, including Argentina, and mirrors growing global debate surrounding the provision of such treatments to minors. The move reflects a broader conservative trend impacting transgender rights, fueled by ongoing political and legal challenges worldwide.
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Following expert medical advice, the UK government has implemented an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria, except within clinical trials. This decision, supported by the Commission on Human Medicines citing unacceptable safety risks, makes permanent the emergency measures initially introduced in May. The ban applies UK-wide, following consultation with devolved administrations, and affects new patients only; existing patients will continue treatment. A planned clinical trial aims to establish a clearer evidence base for the medication’s use.
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The recent classification of trans people as ‘mentally ill’ in Peru after a government decree has sparked a heated debate. The decree designates body dysphoria, or the feeling of discomfort with one’s assigned gender, as a mental illness requiring treatment. This move opens up access to government and insurance funds for necessary treatments such as sex reassignment surgery and hormone therapy, which are essential for many individuals struggling with gender dysphoria.
Despite the potential benefits of this classification in terms of providing medical solutions for transgender individuals, it has raised concerns among LGBTQ groups in Peru. While transitioning is already covered and legally protected in Peru, the labeling of trans people as ‘mentally ill’ still raises red flags for many.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker