Tag: LGBTQ+ Issues

Trump Claims Transgender Rights Have “Torn Our Country Apart”

This blog is originally appeared at Them.

“I want everyone to be treated fairly,” Trump told TIME, apparently without irony.

In an interview with TIME magazine this week, President-elect Donald Trump expressed confusion over the growing attention to transgender issues, stating that he didn’t understand where all the fuss was coming from, but that “we’re all trying to find the guy who did this.”

In a surreal “Person of the Year” interview published Thursday, Trump made a series of false and misleading statements on various topics, including vaccines, immigration, and military policy. When asked about his views on transgender rights and his campaign’s aggressive anti-trans ad campaigns, Trump offered vague responses, emphasizing his desire for “all people [to be] treated fairly.” When the TIME staff reminded him of his 2016 comments supporting equal public bathroom access for trans individuals, Trump avoided the issue, stating he would not “get into the bathroom issue.” He then, somewhat ironically, claimed that the debate had “ripped apart our country.”

“I am a big believer in the Supreme Court, and I’m going to go by their rulings… but we’re talking about a very small number of people, and it gets massive coverage, and it’s not a lot of people,” Trump told TIME.

When asked about his “Kamala is for They/Them” ad campaign, which flooded the U.S. with over $200 million worth of anti-trans attack ads this year, Trump once again sidestepped a direct response. Instead, he portrayed himself as a champion of fairness. “I mean, Trump is definitely for us, okay? And ‘us’ is the vast, vast majority of people in this country. And also, I want to have all people treated fairly. You know, forget about majority or not majority. I want people to be treated well and fairly,” he said.

Trump’s remarks, however, gloss over his prominent role in stoking transphobia for political gain. Both the Republican Party and Trump himself have spent years pushing an increasingly anti-trans agenda, which some experts see as a strategic move to solidify support among evangelical voters. On the campaign trail, Trump decried what he called “transgender insanity” and promised to effectively ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. When asked if he would repeal President Biden’s trans-inclusive changes to Title IX—something he has vowed to do—Trump said he would “look at it very closely.”

Trump also expressed agreement with Delaware Representative-elect Sarah McBride’s statement that Congress should be “focused on more important issues,” as TIME phrased it in their question to the President-elect. McBride, who recently won her election, has reportedly told fellow Democrats that Republican attacks against her—particularly the push by Reps. Nancy Mace and Mike Johnson to restrict Capitol bathrooms based on sex, following her November victory—are mere distractions. She has since stated in a press release that she is “not here to fight about bathrooms.” Reactions from the trans community to McBride’s stance have been mixed, with some telling The Advocate this week that they believe she should be more vocal in opposing such restrictions. The bathroom proposals, if enacted, would primarily affect trans staffers and visitors to the Capitol, as each member of Congress has a private bathroom in their office. Mace has since expanded her proposal to include public parks, government offices outside Capitol Hill, and other public spaces. Them reached out to McBride for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of writing.

Later in the interview, Trump misgendered and spread misinformation about trans athletes, claiming that Americans “don’t want to see a girl get beat up in a boxing ring by a man”—likely referencing boxer Imane Khelif, who is not transgender but was the subject of an anti-trans backlash at this year’s Olympics. Khelif also appeared in an early-November Trump ad. “People don’t want to see, you know, men playing in women’s sports… They don’t want to see all of this transgender [stuff], which is—it’s just taken over,” Trump added.

At various points in the interview, Trump reiterated false claims, including tying vaccines to autism—a debunked conspiracy theory that has nevertheless been endorsed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump has selected as his pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services. He also distanced himself from Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s manifesto for his presidency, despite already nominating at least five of its contributors for government positions. Trump told TIME that he disagreed with parts of Project 2025, calling it “inappropriate” that it was published before the election. His own “Agenda47” platform largely mirrors Project 2025, though it notably excludes some of the more controversial elements of the Heritage document, such as a universal ban on pornography.

As with many of Trump’s interviews, it’s unclear whether he truly believes or will act on any of the statements he made to TIME. A 2021 tally by The Washington Post found that Trump made roughly 30,573 false or misleading claims during his first term. Among those, his assertion that he was a “real friend” to LGBTQ+ people might stand out as one of the biggest exaggerations.

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GOP Senator Proposes Legislation to Strip Legal Recognition of Transgender Individuals

This blog is originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation.

He claimed that his experience delivering babies proves that transgender people don’t actually exist, though his argument remains unclear.

Washington, D.C. — Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) questioned Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing focused on the President’s proposed budget request for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2025. The hearing examined resources and authorities requested to protect the homeland.

This week, Sen. Marshall introduced the “Defining Male and Female Act of 2024,” a bill aimed at legally erasing the recognition of transgender individuals. Marshall argued that the bill is a response to what he describes as the Biden administration’s effort to “replace biological sex with dangerous radical gender ideology.”

The proposed legislation consists largely of definitions, with terms like “father” and “girl” now explicitly tied to the words “male” and “female.” Under the bill, “male” and “female” are defined as individuals who “naturally have, had, will have, or would have, but for a congenital anomaly or intentional or unintentional disruption, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports and utilizes sperm or eggs for fertilization.”

Marshall claims the bill would prevent transgender individuals from participating in school sports and ensure “sex separation” in spaces like restrooms, locker rooms, dorms, prisons, and shelters for victims of sexual assault.

“As a physician who has delivered over 5,000 babies, I can confidently say that politicizing children’s gender and using them as pawns in a radical woke agenda is not only wrong, it is extremely dangerous,” Marshall said. However, his experience as a former OB/GYN does not make him an expert on transgender issues. “We must codify the legal definition of sex based on science, not feelings. With this legislation, we can fight back against the Biden-Harris Administration’s assault on our children.”

Marshall’s assertion that the Biden administration is behind the existence of transgender people is inaccurate; transgender individuals have existed long before Biden’s presidency and will continue to exist long after it. Transgender people are not an “ideology”; they are human beings.

A similar bill was introduced in July in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), who also claimed her bill would prevent Title IX protections from applying to transgender people. However, the argument that transgender individuals are not protected by Title IX hinges on the notion that discrimination based on gender identity is discrimination based on sex assigned at birth. In other words, if a school allows cisgender girls to compete on a sports team but excludes transgender girls, this constitutes discrimination based on sex, as the only difference between the two groups is their sex assigned at birth. Title IX bans sex-based discrimination in education.

While Marshall’s bill is unlikely to pass in the current Senate controlled by Democrats, its introduction could signal plans to reintroduce it next session when Republicans are projected to regain control of the chamber.

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Federal court clears the way for Indiana’s gender-affirming care ban to take effect

This blog is originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation

The Trump-appointed judge argued that trans youth can still access talk therapy, suggesting that treatment options remain available to them.

A three-judge panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has approved the implementation of Indiana’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

The law, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb (R) in April 2023, prohibits doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender minors. Despite acknowledging that the bill was “clear as mud,” Holcomb still signed it into law. The bill passed with overwhelming support in both chambers of the state legislature, giving lawmakers the ability to override a potential veto.

The ACLU of Indiana filed a lawsuit on behalf of four families to prevent the law from taking effect, and a district court judge issued a preliminary injunction to halt its implementation while the case proceeded through the legal system.

The state appealed this injunction to the Seventh Circuit, which lifted it in February and has now issued its final ruling against it. The judges concluded that the district court was wrong to claim that the law would cause “irreparable harm” to transgender youth forced to detransition, arguing that “psychotherapy and parasocial support” could serve as alternatives to gender-affirming care for treating gender dysphoria.

Judge Michael Brennan, appointed by Donald Trump, wrote, “It might be different if Indiana barred all treatment for gender dysphoria, but SEA 480 does no such thing.”

All major medical organizations in the U.S. endorse gender-affirming care as safe and effective.

The majority of the panel also ruled that the state law does not violate the due process or equal protection rights of transgender youth, noting that both transgender boys and girls are prohibited from accessing gender-affirming care.

Brennan wrote, “So, sex does not indicate on what basis treatment is prohibited. The law does not create a class of one sex and a class of another and deny treatment to just one of those classes.”

This argument hinges on not recognizing transgender people as a distinct class. Cisgender youth are still permitted to access gender-affirming care under the law, which specifically bans certain treatments only when used to alter someone’s appearance to “resemble a sex different from the individual’s sex” assigned at birth.

Judge Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, appointed by President Joe Biden, dissented from Brennan’s decision, while Judge Kenneth Ripple, appointed by Ronald Reagan, joined Brennan in the 2-1 ruling.

“We are disappointed and are considering our options,” said Kenneth Faulk of the ACLU of Indiana.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R) praised the decision, citing God in his statement.

“The Seventh District Court of Appeal’s decision today is a huge win for Hoosiers and will help protect our most precious gift from God — our children,” he said.

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The Great LGBTQ+ Migration: Moving from Red States to Blue States and Beyond

This blog is originally appeared at Texas Pride Realty

In recent years, an increasing number of LGBTQ+ individuals have been relocating from red states to blue states, and in some cases, even moving abroad. This video examines the factors behind this migration, the challenges faced by those making the move, and the effects on both the states they leave and those they settle in. We’ll explore the political and social forces fueling this exodus, the economic impacts, and the potential long-term consequences for the LGBTQ+ community and society at large. Join us as we share the personal stories of those who have made this difficult decision and reflect on the communities they’ve left behind.

https://www.FleeRedStates.com
https://www.LGBTQWorldMap.com

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JD Vance oddly emphasizes that he’s not gay while criticizing gender transitioning, referring to it as a form of “conversion therapy.”

This blog is originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation.

He laughed along as the gay conservative he was speaking with mocked trans kids, describing “a 9-year-old girl” with “a beard.”

During an interview last weekend, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and conservative podcaster Tim Dillon echoed transphobic right-wing rhetoric, with Vance notably stressing to Dillon that he isn’t gay. Dillon claimed that supporters of transgender rights want nine-year-old girls “to have a beard,” while Vance argued that medical transitioning is a form of “conversion therapy” aimed at turning gay individuals transgender. Vance also alleged that the medical industry is profiting from transitioning minors and suggested that “they” are pushing gay kids to believe they’re actually transgender.

“I’m not a gay guy, but I’ve heard this from gay friends of mine…” Vance began, prompting Dillon to burst into laughter at Vance’s insistence on clarifying his sexuality.

“I’ve discussed this with gay friends who feel personally affronted [by gender-affirming care for youth],” Vance claimed. “They wonder if, at 14 and feeling confused, someone would have pushed them to transition. In some ways, it’s like a new version of conversion therapy through pharmaceuticals, as if to say, ‘Oh no, you’re not gay; you’re actually a different gender!’”

In the recent interview, Vance presented no evidence for his claim that cisgender gay youth are being pressured into transitioning. Earlier, Dillon sarcastically questioned why children can’t undergo “life-altering” surgeries, framing it as a sign of “fascism” for opposing it. He joked, “Why wouldn’t you allow an eight-year-old to fully transition?… Why can’t a nine-year-old girl have a beard?” In reality, gender-affirming surgeries are not performed on pre-pubescent children and are almost never performed on minors. Gender-affirming care for young children typically includes choices about clothing, names, and play preferences.

Vance continued, alleging that the medical industry profits from transitioning minors and manipulates government policy to push this, stating, “the very people who are getting rich off this are also lobbying the American Medical Association [AMA] and the U.S. government.” However, the AMA and other medical associations have recommended gender-affirming care as safe and essential for trans youth. According to the Williams Institute, only an estimated 300,000 trans individuals ages 13 to 17 could require such care—a small fraction of the U.S. population.

Dillon expressed skepticism over puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors, saying many believe young children should be left alone, adding, “A lot of gay people feel that way…[but] none of them are ever listened to.” Vance mentioned a friendship strained by his stance on trans youth, citing a former classmate who had argued that puberty blockers are reversible—a point the Mayo Clinic supports, stating that puberty restarts once treatment stops.

The conversation then shifted, with Dillon criticizing “extreme” voices in public debate and calling for a focus on traditional subjects like math and science, echoing right-wing claims against teaching “critical race theory or gender theory.” This reflects the Republican platform, which opposes federal funding for schools promoting “radical” ideologies. Vance criticized anti-racist education as “bullshit” that divides people.

In a tangent about U.S. foreign policy, Dillon mocked the idea of promoting gender inclusivity abroad, saying, “we are there so that drag queens in Russia can have more of a say.” Vance replied that taxpayer funds are “funding programs to teach people that there are nonbinary genders out there.” This exchange, underscoring right-wing criticism of the military’s inclusivity efforts, continued their alignment with far-right narratives on gender and foreign policy.

The interview’s exchange on LGBTQ+ topics begins at the 29:40 mark.

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Leaked Memo: Trans Floridians No Longer Allowed to Update Gender on Driver’s Licenses | Them

This blog originally appeared at THEM.

The memo also stated that gender is a synonym for sex, which is “determined by innate and immutable biological characteristics.”

Florida officials have quietly revoked a policy that allowed transgender residents to change the gender marker on their driver’s licenses, coinciding with other efforts to halt the state’s legal recognition of trans people.

A leaked memo dated January 26 from Robert Kynoch, deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), indicates that the department has immediately ended its policy of reissuing licenses to update gender markers, a practice in place since 2018. Instead, “gender” will once again be considered “a synonym for ‘sex,’” which Kynoch claimed is “determined by innate and immutable biological characteristics.”

Independent journalist and legal analyst Alejandra Caraballo, who posted a screenshot of the memo on X (formerly Twitter) Monday night, was the first to publicize the policy change. Although no DHSMV representative has publicly commented on the memo’s veracity, Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani appeared to confirm its authenticity on Tuesday. Eskamani stated that as of January 30, DHSMV computer systems already appear to disallow changes to a registered driver’s gender.

“This is another gross example of how every state agency has been weaponized to attack trans people,” Eskamani wrote.

Florida Democratic Party (FDP) leaders echoed this sentiment. “Florida Republicans’ obsession with trans people has to stop,” FDP chair Nikki Fried said in a statement on Tuesday. Fried specifically called out Gov. Ron DeSantis and described a pattern of similar, covert rule changes throughout his administration.

“We’ve seen state agencies continually weaponized under Ron DeSantis, and this rule change at DHSMV serves the same purpose as the rest — allowing right-wing extremists to get the wildly unpopular policies they want without having to go on the record as voting for them,” Fried stated.

LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus president Nathan Bruemmer concurred, saying, “Our government agencies must remember that their responsibility is to serve Floridians — not the failed agenda of a power-hungry Governor who is out of touch with the people of Florida.”

Kynoch’s letter also warned of possible civil and criminal fraud charges for “misrepresenting one’s gender” on official identification. This is a concern for trans Floridians needing renewals, but those with valid IDs shouldn’t panic yet, Southern Legal Counsel attorney Simone Chriss told NBC affiliate WTVJ.

“There’s no reason for individuals who currently have a driver’s license or identification card that reflects their gender identity to be concerned,” Chriss explained. “The DHSMV or the police have no authority to suspend or revoke their licenses.”

The new DHSMV policy seems like an overture to new Republican-sponsored bills in the Florida legislature, which, if passed, would effectively end legal recognition of trans identities in the state. These proposals, similar to Kynoch’s letter, define “sex” strictly as a genetic binary and would require Floridians to sign an affidavit declaring their “biological sex” as a driver’s license requirement.

Ironically, because federal law still recognizes “gender” as a lived experience rather than a genetic binary, the DHSMV rule change may place Florida’s ID policies in conflict with the Real ID Act. Florida is also grappling with an actual ID fraud and identity theft crisis, but instead of addressing these issues, the focus seems to be on persecuting queer people.

https://www.them.us/story/trans-floridians-will-no-longer-be-allowed-to-change-their-gender-markers-leaked-memo

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