Trump takes aim at housing policies within HUD, aiming to restrict transgender rights

Living as a transgender man in St. Louis, Tazz Webster was subjected to constant harassment, including being called names and physically assaulted by the manager of his government-subsidized apartment building. Despite filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity office, his case was dropped without a finding in early 2022.

This wasn't a fluke—the Trump administration has taken a hardline stance against transgender rights, particularly in the realm of housing. HUD Secretary Scott Turner and his team have been working diligently to unwind, uproot, and remake the agency's priorities, with a particular focus on transgender individuals. The Equal Access Rule, which guaranteed transgender people the right to discrimination protection in housing, has come under fire, and the administration has shown intent to undo it.

Turner has publicly stated that it's time to "get rid of all the far-left gender ideology" and get the government out of the way of traditional gender roles, as established by God. This has had significant ramifications for vulnerable populations, such as transgender individuals facing housing discrimination.

The Fair Housing Act does not expressly list sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes, but the Equal Access Rule, enacted during the Obama administration, expanded the definition of sex discrimination to include these factors. The Trump administration, however, has been working to challenge this.

Webster's case is far from an isolated incident, as sources within HUD have revealed that staff have been instructed to halt all investigations of gender identity discrimination cases. This has resulted in the closure of numerous cases, including Webster's, with no finding and citing a lack of jurisdiction due to Trump's executive order defining sex as only male or female.

This shift in policy has left many transgender individuals, like Bea Gonzalez, a transgender man who was kicked out of a suburban St. Louis domestic violence shelter, with few resources and options for safe, stable housing. The Trump administration's stance on transgender rights is seen by critics as part of a broader assault on civil rights.

[1] "Timid resistance as HUD rolls back Obama-era rules on transgender rights," The New York Times, February 14, 2020[2] "Trump administration moves to limit transgender rights," Associated Press, October 21, 2020

Businesses in Seattle, staunch supporters of transgender rights, are expressing concern over the government's stance on housing discrimination against transgender individuals, as reported in general-news outlets like The New York Times.
The ongoing politics surrounding transgender rights have led to a growing number of job opportunities in crime-and-justice organizations, with advocates working tirelessly to defend the rights of those affected by housing discrimination.
The Seattle Seahawks, known for their commitment to diversity and inclusion, have joined the chorus of voices calling for the government to reconsider its policy on transgender rights, given the impact on housing and the subsequent increase in homelessness in cities like Seattle.
As the election approaches, issues such as transgender rights in housing and the Trump administration's handling of these cases are becoming central points in political debates, with candidates emphasizing their support for vulnerable populations like Tazz Webster and Bea Gonzalez.
Traffic in downtown Seattle has been unusually heavy in recent days, as protesters march through the city streets, demanding justice for transgender individuals facing housing discrimination and calling for the reversal of Trump's executive order limiting the definition of sex.
Despite the Trump administration's controversial stance on transgender rights, the spirit of resistance in Seattle remains strong, with a common sentiment among residents that, in a democratic society, everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their gender identity.