Caught Between the Line: The Struggle of Trans People under Trump
Life and Experiences of Trans Individuals under Trump Presidency
Elijah Nicholas, a trans man, doesn't need to fret about his U.S. passport for now. It's valid till 2030. But the future is uncertain. As of now, the U.S. only issues passports with a gender marker matching the one assigned at birth. A third gender option has also been scrapped, thanks to President Donald Trump's orders.
Trans people and non-binary individuals feel devalued by this change, according to Nicholas. It also poses a safety risk during international travel, as they never know what lies ahead. Trans people don't conform to the gender they were assigned at birth, and non-binary people only partially or completely identify as men or women.
Sharon Horne, a researcher examining mental health among LGBTQIA+ individuals at the University of Massachusetts Boston, says this order effectively eliminates someone's gender identity. The risk of trans people facing discrimination or attack at borders escalates with this new rule, Horne warns. Psychological impacts on affected individuals are also unpredictable.
According to Horne, a 2020 study in "The Lancet Public Health" demonstrated a connection between the gender listed on identification documents and the mental health of adult trans people and non-binary individuals in the U.S. Mental distress, suicide thoughts, and plans were less common among those with identity documents reflecting their preferred name and gender.
The U.S. government's actions against trans people aren't limited to official documents. Trans people have been excluded from the U.S. military, a policy that the Department of Defense is implementing. Trump also signed a decree in February, excluding trans people from women's sports, particularly in public schools and universities. Non-compliant states risk losing federal funds.
LGBTQIA+ individuals are currently living in a state of fear and uncertainty in the U.S., recounts Nicholas. This climate poses a unique challenge for the U.S. capital this year, as it hosts WorldPride and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first Pride event in Washington. "It means resistance," says Nicholas, as this year's celebration will witness both celebration and resistance to ensure equal rights.
Nicholas, an actor, author, and trans activist from Georgia, is in Washington to co-organize the National March for the Visibility of Trans People. The march, a companion event of WorldPride, takes place on the last day of the festival this Sunday. Safety is their top priority. Attendees should expect a large freedom march on the National Mall, starting at the Lincoln Memorial and passing by the White House to the Capitol the following day.
The march seeks to demonstrate to Washington, D.C., and the world that trans people cannot and will not be erased.
Trump's Sweeping Policies on Trans Rights and Mental Health
Donald Trump's policies have significantly impacted the rights, mental health, and well-being of transgender and non-binary individuals in the United States. The following are some crucial aspects:
Impact on Rights
- Transgender Inmate Policies: Trump's Executive Order 14168 aimed to deny gender-affirming care to transgender inmates and house transgender women in men's prisons. However, a preliminary injunction temporarily halted its enactment, allowing gender-affirming care to continue while legal challenges proceed[1].
- Trans Military Ban: Trump signed Executive Order 14183, effectively removing transgender individuals from active-duty military service[4].
- Passport Policy Changes: An executive order led to the suspension of the policy allowing transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals to update their gender designations on passports, violating their constitutional rights, according to a lawsuit by the ACLU[5].
Impact on Mental Health
- Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care: The legal and social environment created by Trump's policies, including bans on gender-affirming care, has led to severe psychological distress and harm for transgender youth. Over 100,000 transgender youth live in states with such bans, and the policies have exacerbated barriers to essential care[3].
- Increased Stigma and Stress: The cultural and legal attacks on transgender rights under Trump's administration have heightened feelings of discrimination, isolation, and fear among transgender and non-binary individuals, negatively affecting their mental health[3].
- Legal Challenges and Uncertainty: The ongoing legal battles against these policies create uncertainty and stress for transgender individuals, impacting their well-being and access to necessary care[1][3].
- The suspension of the passport policy update, caused by Trump's executive order, has raised concerns about the constitutional rights of transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals in the employment policy and general-news domains.
- Trump's policies, including the trans military ban and restrictions on gender-affirming care, have been linked to increased psychological distress, mental health issues, and feelings of stigma and stress among transgender and non-binary individuals, indicating a substantial impact on their overall well-being in the politics and general-news sectors.
