Transgender former Members of European Parliament (MEP) abandons trade delegation to the United States due to Donald Trump's controversial LGBTQ+ policies.
Belgium's Former Transgender Minister Withdraws from US Trade Mission
Petra De Sutter, the former deputy prime minister of Belgium and minister of public administration and public enterprises, has announced her withdrawal from a Belgian trade mission scheduled for October. The mission, which was to include a delegation visiting Los Angeles and San Francisco, was called off by De Sutter to avoid a potential diplomatic incident.
De Sutter, who made history as the continent's first openly transgender national-level minister, expressed concerns about potential trouble or causing an incident if she were to attend the trade mission under the current rules issued by President Trump. The Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders targeting transgender people, including banning transgender individuals from competing in sports and seeking to remove 'nonbinary' or 'other' options from federal documents, such as passports and visas.
The executive orders aim to recognize only two, unchangeable sexes, male and female. This stance conflicts with De Sutter's identity and beliefs, leading to her decision to withdraw from the trade mission.
De Sutter became Belgium's deputy prime minister and minister of public administration and public enterprises in October 2020, serving until February 2023. Prior to her role as a cabinet minister, she served as an MEP with the Greens/European Free Alliance from 2019 to 2020. She is scheduled to begin her term as rector of Ghent University next month.
De Sutter declined to comment further on her decision to withdraw from the trade mission. However, she communicated her decision to Belgian news agency Belga, confirming the news to the public. There is no public information about a transgender minister canceling a trade mission to the United States in October due to refusal to work with politicians of former President Donald Trump.
This move by De Sutter highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals in political and professional settings, particularly under the policies of the Trump administration. It serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
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