Politics: Republican Speaker Mike Johnson Proposes Restricting Capitol Hill Restrooms for Trans Individuals

This blog is originally appeared at Them

New Policy by Speaker Johnson Mandates Capitol Facilities Be “Reserved for Individuals of That Biological Sex”

Speaker Mike Johnson Announces Policy Banning Transgender Women from Women’s Restrooms and Changing Facilities on Capitol Hill, Likely Targeting Rep. Sarah McBride

Speaker Mike Johnson Declares Capitol and House Office Building Single-Sex Facilities Reserved for Individuals of Biological Sex in Statement Released on Trans Day of Remembrance.

Speaker Mike Johnson Defends New Bathroom Policy, Targeting Rep. McBride, as GOP Figures Push for Bathroom Ban

Speaker Mike Johnson’s new policy, which reserves single-sex facilities in Capitol Hill for individuals of their biological sex, has sparked controversy, especially as it coincides with Trans Day of Remembrance. Johnson emphasized that each member of Congress has access to a private bathroom but insisted, “women deserve women’s only spaces.” In previous remarks, Johnson reiterated his belief that “a man cannot become a woman,” further fueling criticism of his long history of anti-LGBTQ+ statements.

The policy appears to specifically target Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride, the first out transgender woman elected to Congress. McBride has become a focal point of the debate as South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution for a formal bathroom ban in the House, directly aimed at McBride. Mace referred to herself as “[a] Full TERF” and dismissed McBride’s right to access women’s private spaces.

In response, McBride urged Democrats to disregard these anti-trans actions, framing them as a distraction from more pressing issues. “This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars,” she said in a statement. McBride later posted on social media, emphasizing her focus on fighting for Delawareans rather than engaging in debates over bathrooms.

LGBTQ+ Advocates Warn Against Dismissing GOP Anti-Trans Policies as Distractions

While Rep. Sarah McBride has urged her fellow Democrats to focus on issues like healthcare and housing instead of engaging in culture wars, some LGBTQ+ advocates argue that the GOP’s anti-trans policies should not be ignored or treated solely as distractions. Jeff Main, cofounder of the trans-led nonprofit Point of Pride, emphasized that these proposals are real threats.

“In addition to being a distraction, these proposals are direct threats,” Main told CBS News Philadelphia. “It’s more than just access to a bathroom or healthcare. It’s about existing. It’s about our right to live authentically, safely, and with pride.” Main expressed concern over the broader implications of these policies for the trans community, stressing the importance of defending basic rights and safety.

December 5, 2024 0

At least 36 transgender individuals have been killed in the U.S. this year, with half of the victims being Black transgender women

This blog is originally appeared at Them.

A new report sheds light on the “epidemic of violence” targeting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

This article addresses violence against transgender individuals and includes references to graphic content.

The epidemic of fatal violence against transgender individuals in the United States shows no signs of slowing down, with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) documenting at least 36 killings over the past year. Half of these victims, including Honee Daniels, Kassim Omar, Redd, Vanity Williams, and others, were Black trans women.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which has been tracking the murders of transgender individuals since 2013, released its 2024 report on the “Epidemic of Violence Against the Transgender & Gender-Expansive Community in the U.S.” on Tuesday. The report covers deaths between the day after Trans Day of Remembrance 2023 (November 21, 2023) and November 20, 2024. HRC highlighted that a disproportionate number of victims in the past year were young people of color—75% of all victims were people of color, and 54.3% were under the age of 35. Among the youngest victims was 14-year-old Pauly Likens, a trans girl who was tragically killed and dismembered in her Pennsylvania hometown in June, marking the youngest recorded death. Other young trans victims included 18-year-old Jazzlyn Johnson and 17-year-old Tayy Dior Thomas.

Tori Cooper, Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative at HRC, stated that transphobia is fueled by disinformation, rhetoric, and ideologies that treat the transgender community as political tools, ignoring their right to live free from fear of harm or death. She pointed out the “disturbing reality” that half of the victims were Black trans women, a reflection of the ways in which racism, misogynoir, sexism, transphobia, and other societal issues disproportionately affect the trans community.

Cooper concluded, “In spite of these tragedies, I choose to remember the beauty brought to the world by those victims who left this earth far too soon and will celebrate their memories by continuing to fight for them through the Trans Justice Initiative’s advocacy and our leadership development work.”

While the statistics in the report are bleak, there was one slightly positive development. According to the report, 41.7% of victims were initially misgendered by the media or law enforcement. While still a significant number, this is the lowest percentage the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has recorded since it began tracking this data in 2013. However, the report also highlights some alarming “firsts.” For the first time since 2013, transgender individuals were killed in Minnesota, Utah, and Nevada.

The HRC notes that the report is released at a critical moment for the transgender community in the U.S. Last June, for the first time in its history, the organization declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans, citing the unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country that year. The report also reflects the broader political climate, with former President Donald Trump, who ran on a platform that scapegoated trans people and pledged to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, recently re-elected. His administration has appointed numerous anti-trans figures, such as Elon Musk, JD Vance, and Matt Gaetz, to key positions in the White House.

November 20, 2024 0

GOP Congressman claims U.S. isn’t worth defending due to presence of trans music teacher in 9/11 address

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation.

What exactly are we defending? What remains of the United States worth protecting?

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) gave an extended speech on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, during which he stated that the U.S. is no longer worth defending, citing a friend’s child’s transgender music teacher as a reason. He began his remarks by recognizing the significance of September 11 before transitioning to criticisms of immigrants.

“It serves as a reminder of the consequences of leaving your country vulnerable to attacks,” he stated before providing examples of immigrants involved in criminal activities. Roy expressed his support for mass deportations in response to these crimes, despite data indicating that immigrants are less likely to commit offenses than those born in the U.S.

In the midst of his speech, Roy launched into a tirade about what he considered wasteful government spending, labeling defense expenditures as unnecessary because, in his view, the U.S. isn’t worth defending anymore.

“In this town, we can’t effectively advocate for you, the American people, to ensure a secure border, safe communities, and an economy that isn’t devastated by reckless government spending,” Roy exclaimed. “And you want to know why? In the name of defense, they tell me every year that if I don’t support these inflated spending bills, we won’t get a new submarine or carrier.”

“What exactly are we trying to defend? What is left of the United States to protect? A school where I can’t send my child to pray without paying $20,000 a year on top of my taxes?” he questioned, referring to the private school he chooses for his child, despite the fact that students are permitted to pray in public schools, according to the Department of Education.

“A school where my friend’s sixth grader has a transgender music teacher asking students to participate in a dance class? Yes, that’s a true story,” he emphasized, as if it were shocking that sixth graders would be dancing in music class. “Is that what we’re defending with carriers, missiles, and endless wars?”

This isn’t the first instance in which Roy has claimed that the U.S. shouldn’t be defended due to LGBTQ+ individuals. Last year, he pointed to a Pride event at a U.S. Air Force Base in Georgia as a rationale for opposing military funding.

“What’s next, rainbow uniforms during Pride Month?” Roy questioned at the time. “The Air Force and Defense Department endorse this absurd use of taxpayer dollars and then expect members of Congress—who represent Americans outraged by this—to approve an $800 billion-plus budget for the Department of Defense (DOD). If the DOD doesn’t put an end to these divisive and frankly embarrassing events, Republicans should withdraw their support for this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.”

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/09/gop-congressman-says-us-isnt-worth-defending-because-of-a-trans-music-teacher-in-9-11-speech/?utm_id=top_story&utm_term=headline&utm_content=politics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2024912%20LGBTQ%20Nation%20Daily%20Brief&utm_content=2024912%20LGBTQ%20Nation%20Daily%20Brief+CID_8effed1877914822206ec0f2f8d37748&utm_source=LGBTQ%20Nation%20Subscribers&utm_term=GOP%20congressman%20says%20US%20isnt%20worth%20defending%20because%20of%20a%20trans%20music%20teacher%20in%20911%20speech

October 4, 2024 0