Life Experiences of Transgender Individuals under Trump Administration
America's pride this weekend ismutedas thetrans community grapples with Trump'srestrictive policies. Elijah Nicholas, a 55-year-old trans man, navigates uncertainty regarding his passport that expires in 2030.
Currently, passports can only reflect a gender marker assigned at birth. The U.S. Department of State, under Trump's orders, removed the third gender option, leaving trans and non-binary individuals feeling invalidated.
"This order erases one's gender identity," according to Sharon Horne, a researcher at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Horne discusses the dangers of trans people being targeted, discriminated against, or threatened at borders due to this change.
A study in "The Lancet Public Health" reported that his shift in government stance significantly affected trans people and non-binary individuals' mental health, increasing depression and anxiety levels.
Among Trump's policies, transgender individuals face exclusion from the military, limitations on sports participation in public schools, and disrupted access to health care. This atmosphere of fear and uncertainty prevails, especially in Washington D.C., during WorldPride celebrations this year.
"Resistance" is the essence of celebration in these times, says Nicholas, an actor, author, and trans activist. This week, a rally anticipates the National March for Trans People, demonstrating the community's determination for visibility and equal rights.
Beyond Trump's Rule
Transgender and non-binary individuals in the U.S. struggle throughTrump's executive orders and policies that affect their rights and well-being.
- Banning Transgender Individuals from Military: The ban prevented transgender individuals from serving in the military and faced legal challenges.
- Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Care: Federal policies restrict gender-affirming medical care in prisons, leading to lawsuits contesting constitutional rights infringement.
- Passport Changes: The State Department ceased updating passports with gender markers, causing ACLU lawsuits.
These policies have negatively impacted transgender rights, resulting in limited access to healthcare, societal hostility, and increased depression and anxiety. Legal resistance, ranging from lawsuits to challenges in court, continues to challenge these policies.
While Trump's policies have undermined the rights and safety of transgender and non-binary individuals, the community's resilience and resistance persist. Whether through rallies or standing up for their rights, thetrans community continues to make itself visible.
References:[1] "President Trump announces he will ban transgender individuals from the military" - [link][2] "Transgender children: Trump administration halts guidelines to schools" - [link][3] "Trump Trans Military Ban Met With Legal Resistance" - [link][4] "ACLU Sues Over Trump's Rollback on Transgender Rights" - [link][5] "Ending gender-affirming care for trans inmates, arguments about cruel and unusual punishment" - [link]
- The community policy of exclusion, as demonstrated by Trump's executive orders banning transgender individuals from military service, has faced legal resistance and sparked controversy in the realm of general-news.
- The political climate under Trump's administration has significantly affected employment policy for transgender and non-binary individuals, particularly in the areas of healthcare and access to gender-affirming medical care, which has become a hot topic in general-news discussions.
