Under Trump's Presidency, Life as a Transgender Individual: Struggles and Fearful Resistance
America's Trans Passport Dilemma: Navigating Borders and Identity
Elijah Nicholas, a trans man with an American passport valid until 2030, faces uncertain times ahead. The troubles lie in the passport's inability to accurately reflect his gender identity. The U.S. currently only issues passports with a gender marker matching the one given at birth. With the disappearance of the third-gender option, trans men and non-binary individuals like Elijah might find themselves "delegitimized."
This change, as Elijah criticizes, poses a significant security risk for trans individuals when traveling internationally due to the unpredictable nature of border checks. Sharon Horne, a mental health researcher at the University of Massachusetts Boston for LGBTQI+ individuals, shares similar concerns. She fears the increased vulnerability of trans people to discrimination, targeting, and threats at borders.
The risk isn't just confined to passport regulations. The U.S. government's actions against trans men extend to military exclusion and restrictions in sports participation, as highlighted by Horne and Elijah.
Research published in "The Lancet Public Health" in 2020 reveals the connection between a person's gender identity on their ID and their mental health. Adult trans men and non-binary individuals with documentation that matches their self-identified gender showed fewer instances of severe mental distress, suicidal thoughts, and plans than those without such alignment.
This revised passport policy is merely one of many incidents undermining the rights of trans men in the U.S. According to Horne, these actions often lead to increased depression and anxiety within the LGBTQI+ community, particularly among those most affected by the measures.
Many LGBTQI+ individuals in the U.S. currently endure a "space of fear and uncertainty." This situation contrasts sharply with this year's WorldPride festival, celebrating its 50th anniversary in Washington, D.C. Rainbow symbols decorate the city, adorning lampposts, shop windows, street art, and outdoor restaurant areas. The question remains: What does it mean to celebrate Pride in such polarizing times?
"It means resistance," asserts Elijah. This year's WorldPride festival will simultaneously celebrate and resist, ensuring the LGBTQI+ community maintains a presence and fights for equal rights.
WorldPride Festival Concludes This Weekend
As a trans activist, actor, and author, Elijah Nicholas is a vital figure in the LGBTQI+ community. Currently in Washington, D.C., Elijah is co-organizing the National March for Trans Visibility, a partner event of WorldPride. set to take place on the festival's final day this Sunday. After the vibrant WorldPride parade on Saturday, the march will commence, demonstrating to the world that trans people cannot be erased.
Ensuring the safety of march participants is of utmost importance, as Elijah and his team collaborate with WorldPride to secure the event. This includes a separate rally and a subsequent Freedom March on the National Mall, beginning at the Lincoln Memorial and extending past the White House to the Capitol. The march aims to make a powerful, poignant statement: The trans community will continue to fight for their rights and identity.
- The National March for Trans Visibility, a partner event of WorldPride, is co-organized by Elijah Nicholas, a trans activist, actor, and author, to demonstrate the trans community's presence and resistance, especially in light of the revised passport policy-and-legislation that poses a significant risk for trans individuals when traveling.
- The politics surrounding the transgender community's rights, as seen in the passport issue and other general-news related matters, such as military exclusion and sports restrictions, have led to increased vulnerability, depression, and anxiety within the LGBTQI+ community. Amidst celebrations like this year's WorldPride festival, these concerns remain a relevant and critical topic of discussion.
