A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s directive to transfer transgender women inmates to men’s facilities and cease hormone therapy. The order, granted in response to a lawsuit filed by three transgender women, cites the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, arguing that such transfers would endanger the plaintiffs. The judge found the government’s arguments insufficient to justify immediate relocation, noting the low number of transgender women in women’s prisons and the lack of evidence of threats posed by the plaintiffs. This ruling surpasses a prior, narrower injunction concerning a single transgender woman.
Read More
At the Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga used her acceptance speech for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance to advocate for transgender rights, declaring that trans people deserve love and are not invisible. This powerful statement comes amidst President Trump’s recent executive orders targeting the transgender community, including measures restricting transgender individuals’ military service and access to gender-affirming healthcare. Gaga’s outspoken support highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and reflects her long-standing commitment to LGBTQ+ youth through her Born This Way Foundation. The singer’s actions underscore the critical need for continued advocacy and allyship.
Read More
US health agencies are actively scrubbing their websites, removing any mention of “gender ideology.” This action, while seemingly small, represents a larger trend of suppressing information and perspectives related to gender identity and expression. It’s a blatant attempt to erase the existence and experiences of a significant portion of the population, a tactic that feels profoundly wrong and deeply unsettling.
This isn’t about simply removing words from a website; it’s about erasing people and their identities. The attempt to control information through this type of censorship is alarming, especially in the context of already existing prejudices and targeted violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.… Continue reading
The State Department has halted the issuance of U.S. passports with “X” gender markers, suspending all applications to update gender markers on existing passports. This action, mandated by a presidential executive order, affects transgender and nonbinary individuals, causing confusion and jeopardizing travel plans. The policy change, which reflects a move to only recognize male and female sex assigned at birth, leaves many without crucial identification documents and potentially exposes them to increased risks. This reversal of previous policy creates significant hardship and uncertainty for the affected community, highlighting a significant setback in LGBTQ+ rights.
Read More
Following a Trump executive order declaring sexes unchangeable and revoking transgender rights, federal prisons swiftly moved to isolate and transfer transgender women to men’s facilities. This action, reported by advocates and incarcerated individuals, deprives transgender women of gender-affirming care and exposes them to heightened risk of assault, violating federal law and constitutional protections. Lawsuits have been filed challenging these actions, which have already resulted in at least one transfer being temporarily blocked by a judge. The lack of individualized assessments and rushed implementation directly contravene the Prison Rape Elimination Act, placing vulnerable individuals in extreme danger.
Read More
President Trump’s new executive order, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 schooling,” threatens to prosecute teachers who acknowledge or support transgender students’ identities, defining such actions as “unlawfully facilitat[ing] the social transition of a minor student.” The order also jeopardizes federal funding for schools and programs teaching about gender or race, broadly defining “discriminatory equity ideology” to encompass concepts conservatives label “critical race theory.” Furthermore, the order promotes “patriotic education,” reinstating the 1776 Commission to push a specific, arguably whitewashed, narrative of American history. This action builds upon previous efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights and diversity initiatives, potentially exacerbating existing anti-DEI policies across the nation.
Read More
A transgender woman, identified as Maria Moe, is suing Donald Trump over a recent executive order mandating the placement of transgender women in men’s prisons. This federal lawsuit, the first of its kind, alleges the order violates Moe’s Fifth and Eighth Amendment rights by exposing her to extreme risks of violence and denying her gender-affirming care. The order dictates that only two biological sexes are recognized, impacting incarcerated transgender individuals disproportionately. Moe’s transfer to a men’s facility would severely endanger her safety and well-being.
Read More
President Trump issued an executive order eliminating federal funding for gender transition treatments for minors, citing concerns about the procedures’ potentially harmful effects. The order impacts federal insurance programs like TRICARE and Medicaid, potentially halting coverage for such care and prompting legal action against institutions offering it. The executive order uses strong language contradicting the medical consensus on gender-affirming care, and it encourages lawsuits against providers. This action is the latest in a series of Trump administration policies targeting transgender rights, prompting swift condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and legal challenges.
Read More
President Trump’s executive order bans the use of pronouns deemed “invented” within the US military, aiming to eliminate what he terms “transgender ideology.” The order cites concerns about mental and physical fitness, potentially barring thousands of transgender service members from service. It contends that a disconnect between assigned sex and gender identity contradicts military values of honor and truthfulness. The order’s implications for currently serving transgender personnel remain unclear, leaving their future status uncertain.
Read More
President Trump’s executive order redefines “male” and “female” based on the type of reproductive cell produced at conception, impacting numerous federal agencies. This definition, lacking practical application details, poses severe risks for transgender individuals and potentially advances an anti-abortion agenda by implying fetal personhood from fertilization. Experts highlight the scientific inaccuracy of this definition, citing the complexities of sex determination beyond gamete size and the impossibility of determining sex at conception. The order’s broad implications and potential for discriminatory enforcement are cause for significant concern.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood