Trans Genocide is Here.
Trans Genocide is Here.
(I know, I'm sorry. There are wins here, too.)
I don’t think anyone uses the term ‘genocide’ lightly. I certainly don’t, especially since I would’ve easily been murdered during the Holocaust due to being queer, trans, and disabled. There are ten stages of genocide, and we’re sitting at number 8 - Persecution. Alex has a much better write-up than I can do about this specific topic.
Our people are completing suicide over forced de-transition. It isn’t just Eden, either. And, per usual, our people are still being killed as we try to live our lives. Oh, and Texas is trying to setup a bounty system to bring in drag performers.
People calling for the literal eradication of transgender folks using ‘transgenderism’ as an othering term. (Others say this isn’t possible since we’re not a real category of people.) Literal Nazis are excited about gaining more supporters due to anti-drag + anti-trans bills, which is unsurprising given the history of Nazis in destroying trans folks and our research.
As of the publication of this newsletter on March 20, 2023, there have been a total of 471 anti-transgender bills introduced across 44 states. 16 of those bills have passed. 40 have failed. The other 415 are currently actively being debated, researched, etc. Multiple states are stripping transgender children of access to a variety of supports. In some states, that’s only barring surgeries. In others, that’s hormones, puberty blockers, and more.
For a recap of what happened in legislation this week, read this from the Trans Formations Project.
There are a number of national level bills if you haven’t seen:
US HB 1064 (committee) prohibits those with a history of gender dysphoria from entering the military unless they’ve been stable in their cis identity for 36 months prior to enrollment. Those who were diagnosed after enrollment can stay in if they don’t require gender affirming care. Those currently serving will serve as long as they do so with their current gender marker and without accessing hormones or surgery. No one who has previously transitioned or 'requires’ a transition can serve. US SB 435 (committee) is the senate’s partner bill.
US SR 53 (committee) defines biological sex and requires that it be used to talk about birthing, reproductive health, etc. Reaffirms binary sex separation in prisons, restrooms, etc. US HR 115 (committee) is the House’s partner resolution.
US HB 734 (ordered to be amended) requires that school sports teams be separated by sex at birth. Schools allowing trans girls and women to play as girls and women will have federal funding removed. More here. Please reach out to your legislators over this by calling 202-224-3121, especially if you live in the following districts or have the following representatives:
AZ-06 (Juan Ciscomani)
CA-13 (John Duarte)
CA-22 (David Valadao)
CA-40 (Kim Young)
ID-02 (Mike Simpson)
FL-27 (Maria Elvira Salazar)
NC-10 (Patrick McHenry)
NJ-07 (Tom Kean, Jr.)
NY-04 (Anthony D’esposito)
NY-17 (Michael Lawler)
NY-19 (Marcus Molinaro)
PA-01 (Brian Fitzpatrick)
UT-02 (Chris Stewart)
US SB 187 (committee) bans businesses from reimbursing employees to help cover the costs of traveling for abortions or to access gender affirming healthcare for a child (including puberty blockers, carves out exceptions for intersex folks). US HB 429 (committee) is the Houses’ partner bill.
US HB 216 (committee) requires elementary schools to ask parents for written consent prior to teaching about the LGBTQ+ community if they want to receive federal funding.
As the status of all these bills can and do change rapidly, keep up to date with the Trans Legislation Tracker. Erin in the Morning also does a good job tracking legislation, but as I shared in a previous newsletter she continuously blocks Black trans activists and refuses to listen to their feedback or concerns.
As many healthcare providers have spoken up about the dangers of these bans, there will always be folks who are anti-trans. Jamie Reed, one such previous provider, shared that she and others from the clinic kept a spreadsheet of the people they didn’t think were ‘really’ transgender which included a whole bunch of other personal information. Even worse, she shared this information with noted transphobe Jesse S i n g a l (note: I’ve spread out the letters in his last name as his supporters are horrible.)
LGBTQ+ youth and adults alike are struggling. That’s especially true of Black youth who have to face racism and additional white supremacy bullshit. The intersection of transphobia and racism is real and it causes extensive harm. This is just one reason why seeing former NBA player Dwayne Wade and actress Gabrielle Union stand up for their daughter Zaya means so much.
(Don’t read the comments if you go to the YouTube page for the above video. IDK why in the world BET has comments on.)
Businesses are willing to spend time and energy to prevent the trans-affirming care of their employees. One such case is Sgt. Anna Lange’s Houston County, Georgia, police department. They spent nearly nearly $1.2 million to block coverage. Of note, that’s WAY more than they would have paid to cover her surgeries.
West Virginia is petitioning the Supreme Court to stop an injunction against their anti-trans kids in sports bill. Normally, I would expect that the SC would be on the side of the people, but with this specific court? I’m frankly terrified. What happens if (perhaps when?) the Supreme Court comes back with some ruling stating that not only should trans kids not play sports but they should be barred… or that all trans people should be barred? I frankly don’t understand how us existing causes any harm.
As Katelyn Burns recently put it, the obsession cis people have with trans people’s genitals is out of control.
The current state of things is… rough. Because, again, this is genocide.
Wins
I know that we need to find joy where we can. There are things that give me hope, but it’s almost always individuals or mini-cases. Anyway, here’s some recent good news:
Spain gives final approval to law making it easier to legally change gender
Hong Kong court makes landmark ruling protecting transgender rights
A Win: The Michigan Legislature Passed Statewide Protections for LGBTQ+ People
Minnesota’s Governor Just Made the State a Refuge for Gender-Affirming Care
A Trans Teen Called Out Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin at a Town Hall and it worked! Youngkin calls for gender-neutral bathrooms after question from transgender Virginia teen.
New Mexico Updates Anti-Discrimination Law To Include LGBTQ+ Protections
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh has been filibustering in Nebraska for THREE WEEKS to prevent them from passing an anti-trans youth healthcare bill. She recently paused this filibuster as the legislature will be debating this bill this week. Some great quotes from the filibuster:
“I will burn the session to the ground over this bill.”
“Take your names off this piece of poop, do better.”
Bills would let transgender people seal name-change requests
Canadians Convicted Under Old Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws Can Now Have Records Expunged
Zaya Wade made her model runway debut and has talked openly about educating her family
What now?
Honestly, I don’t know. I am tired. Anytime we ask for rights or inclusion, we’re met with just complete bullshit - as if we’ve gone ‘too far’ in asking for equity. Even the White House is shirking their responsibilities.
Our community can’t solely rely on our resilience to survive. It can’t be on us to build the right set of coping skills to survive this, especially when building resilience means you have to have at least one supportive adult in your life as a child. Trans kids very often have no one.
We need other people to join this fight. We need YOU.
I know that there are numerous organizations fighting back, such as the Trans Formations Project, the Trans Justice Funding Project, the Trans Empowerment Project, the Campaign for Southern Equality, and the Transgender Law Center. Donating to them or volunteering with them - or other organizations - can make a huge difference right now.
Volunteer with your local LGBTQ+ center. (If you don’t know where your local center is, you can find it here.)
Check on your trans friends. Make sure that you’re sharing things that don’t put emotional labor on them. Send them funny things.
Most of all, when you see things that are wrong - when people are spouting misinformation around you or in your circles and you feel safe doing so? Correct them.
If you have feedback or anything you’d like to share, feel free to reach out to me on social media or by email (all linked here).
Take care of you, lovebug <3
Grayson