If anyone still doubts that the current administration is trying to erase our community, then this news should confirm that. It’s the latest in a series of destroying rights that the transgender community deserves.
Almost a year ago, Attorney General Jeff Sessions reversed a three-year-old Justice Department policy that protected transgender workers from discrimination under federal law. This was just a few months after the president said that the transgender community should be barred from serving in the military.
According to The New York Times, the Trump administration is considering narrowly defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth, the most drastic move yet in a government-wide effort to roll back recognition and protections of transgender people under federal civil rights law.
A series of decisions by the Obama administration loosened the legal concept of gender in federal programs, including in education and health care, recognizing gender largely as an individual’s choice and not determined by the sex assigned at birth. The policy prompted fights over bathrooms, dormitories, single-sex programs and other arenas where gender was once seen as a simple concept. Conservatives, especially evangelical Christians, were incensed.
Now the Department of Health and Human Services is spearheading an effort to establish a legal definition of sex under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that bans gender discrimination in education programs that receive government financial assistance, according to a memo obtained by The New York Times.
This is a terrifying development. The article goes on the explain the impact that this would have on our community:
The new definition would essentially eradicate federal recognition of the estimated 1.4 million Americans who have opted to recognize themselves — surgically or otherwise — as a gender other than the one they were born into.
According to HRC.org, the administration’s decision could have severe consequences for LGBTQ people across the federal government. For example:
- Same-sex couples and their families could be turned away from emergency shelters
- A transgender person could have their insurance deny them coverage for transition related care
- A gay man could be harassed about being gay at a job skills training
- An elderly same-sex couple could be denied in home meal service
- A transgender woman could be turned away from a hospital for a broken ankle
Is there really anyone left who identifies as transgender but will still vote Republican?
Yes? You in the back? You had a comment?
“Um, the economy is doing well. There are more issues than just human rights, you know.”
You can shut the hell up and stay home on November 6th, thanks.
Love, Hannah
Hannah McKnight 
Dear Hanah,
Thanks for sharing this. After reading through it the first thought that came to my mind was …
This is simply a matter of human rights and, of course, there is nothing more imperative than their continued protection and propagation. For those who would vote for Trump because of good economic conditions please understand these conditions are dependent upon mankind’s actions and, as history has shown, are susceptible to change on a dime. Human Rights (Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness), on the other hand, are endowed forever by our Creator and as such should not be put in jeopardy or taken away by the contrivances of mankind. We already have enough 1984 going on and if there’s a reason to or not to vote for Trump that surpasses all others, it’s to make sure we are protecting our most sacred of Rights … To be able to live and let live all while doing no harm. For those who would deny us this Right, we must vote against them.
In Best Regards,
Hannah Ramar
PS: Love your blog. Thanks for all you share.
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I am so sorry Hannah to hear the news. Something that will make life more difficult and dangerous for so many. It featured on our midday news.
Australia does not have the same extremist government that you have but in all countries there is the ugly right convinced that life is simple and neat and when it is so, it is safe and secure.
We should never be complacent. It brings to mind the saying often used here to refer to military engagement.”The price of peace is eternal vigilance.”
I pray for wise heads to be an influence at this difficult time in the US against what to me in a far off land looks like fucking barbarism.
Love,
Geraldine
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