Transgender and LGBTQ+ rights

[phkrause]

On Transgender Day of Remembrance, report mourns two trans Floridians killed in past year

Two Floridians are among at least 33 transgender and gender nonconforming people killed since the last Transgender Day of Remembrance one year ago Monday.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/11/20/on-transgender-day-of-remembrance-report-mourns-two-trans-floridians-killed-in-past-year/?

[phkrause]

Emails Reveal How a Hospital Bowed to Political Pressure to Stop Treating Trans Teens

One Saturday morning in September 2022, Terrence Steyer, the dean of the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, placed an urgent call to a student. Just a year prior, the medical student, Thomas Agostini, had won first place at a university-sponsored event for his graduate research on transgender pediatric patients. He also had been featured in a video on MUSC’s website highlighting resources that support the LGBTQ+ community.

https://www.propublica.org/article/musc-medical-university-south-carolina-trans-healthcare-emails?

[phkrause]

Experts say FL’s informed consent forms for gender-affirming care are misleading, confusing

The state requires transgender people seeking gender-affirming care to sign consent forms stating that the treatments they’d get are based on poor-quality research, may be ineffective, and that their risks may include the need for lifelong care.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/12/14/experts-say-fls-informed-consent-forms-for-gender-affirming-care-are-misleading-confusing/?

[phkrause]

Judge to rule on Florida transgender care restrictions ‘as quick as I can’

TALLAHASSEE — Dealing with what has become one of the most emotionally charged issues in the state and nation, a trial has ended in a constitutional challenge to Florida restrictions on medical care for transgender children and adults.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/12/21/with-trial-over-judge-to-rule-on-florida-trans-care-restrictions-as-quick-as-i-can/?

[phkrause]

Transgender child speaks out ahead of Ohio trans care ban decision

Astrid Burkle, a 10-year-old transgender girl who lives in Ohio, said she wishes she "could have a normal life."

https://local.newsbreak.com/ohio-state/3279740959192-transgender-child-speaks-out-ahead-of-ohio-trans-care-ban-decision?

[phkrause]

📝 Ohio governor breaks from party

Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) vetoed a bill today that would have prevented minors from receiving gender-affirming health care and restricted transgender girls' ability to participate on school sports teams, Axios' Jacob Knutson and Tyler Buchanan report. Why it matters: It's a break from lawmakers in his party who backed the legislation. DeWine is now just one of two Republican governors who have vetoed restrictions on gender-affirming care and among a few who have rejected bills that would constrain trans athletes. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed a similar bill in 2021. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb rejected bans on trans athletes last year. "This bill would impact a very small number of Ohio's children," DeWine said. "But for those children who face gender dysphoria and for their families, the consequences of this bill could not be more profound." "Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life," he added. "Many parents have told me that their child would not have survived, would be dead today, if they had not received the treatment they received from one of Ohio's children's hospitals." 👀 What to watch: Ohio's GOP lawmakers hold enough seats to override DeWine's veto. But it's unclear if they will. Ohio’s GOP governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes in girls’ sports COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a measure Friday that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors, casting the action out of step with many in his own party as thoughtful, limited and “pro-life.” https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-ohio-minors-veto-c615cafed4fc81d32010d47d8853efaf?

[phkrause]

Ohio bans gender-affirming care and restricts transgender athletes despite GOP governor’s veto

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio has banned gender-affirming care for minors and restricted transgender women’s and girls’ participation on sports teams, a move that has families of transgender children scrambling over how best to care for them.

https://apnews.com/article/transgender-care-ohio-bans-veto-override-4877522111308e8c2c6cb1fef212ba0f?

[phkrause]

Utah joins 10 other states in regulating bathroom access for transgender people

Utah became the latest state to regulate bathroom access for transgender people after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed a law Tuesday that requires people to use bathrooms and locker rooms in public schools and government-owned buildings that match their sex assigned at birth.

https://apnews.com/article/utah-transgender-bathroom-access-746d51175ad770623e6f403b426fdc8c?

[phkrause]

New state policy denies gender-affirming driver licenses to transgender people

Transgender people can no longer obtain a driver’s license that reflects their gender identity under a new policy that treats “misrepresenting one’s gender, understood as sex, on a driver license” as fraud punishable by civil and criminal penalties plus cancellation, suspension, or revocation of the license.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/01/30/new-state-policy-denies-gender-affirming-driver-licenses-to-transgender-people/?

[phkrause]

Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece on Thursday became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage, despite opposition from the influential, socially conservative Greek Church.

https://apnews.com/article/greece-same-sex-marriage-law-parliament-church-5be190dd6a7628d7a057be683256b8c2?

[phkrause]

Oklahoma police say nonbinary teen’s death was not result of injuries from high school fight

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A 16-year-old Oklahoma high school student who died a day after an altercation in a school restroom that may have been prompted by bullying over gender identity did not die as a result of injuries sustained in the fight, police said Wednesday.

https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-owasso-student-death-nonbinary-nex-04f1c51924860d77877016810bc05762?

[phkrause]

Conservative Family Moves to Russia to Escape 'LGBTQ Ideology,' Immediately 'Disappointed' With Reality

A conservative family decided to relocate to Russia to escape "LGBTQ ideology" but quickly discovered their dream move was a nightmare.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3344522423023-conservative-family-moves-to-russia-to-escape-lgbtq-ideology-immediately-disappointed-with-reality?

[phkrause]

‘It was the life raft’: Transgender people find a safe haven in Florida’s capital city

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Quandarius “Chanel” Johnson twirled a gold-colored crown that glinted with light streaming in from a nearby window.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/02/25/it-was-the-life-raft-transgender-people-find-a-safe-haven-in-floridas-capital-city/?

[phkrause]

Ron DeSantis cheers as University of Florida's anti-LGBTQ president fires all diversity staff

The University of Florida has fired an entire department dedicated to diversity initiatives. The move by the state’s most prominent public university marks another in Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ exorcism of such programs throughout the state’s educational institutions.

https://www.advocate.com/news/ron-desantis-university-dei

[phkrause]

Measure criticized for targeting trans Floridians passed the House, but it’s unlikely to become law

Although the Florida Senate is unlikely to take up the issue, the Florida House passed a bill Friday that would require driver’s licenses to display a person’s sex assigned at birth, rather than the gender identity, and health insurers to cover treatment to de-transition from the sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/03/01/measure-criticized-for-targeting-trans-floridians-passed-the-house-but-its-unlikely-to-become-law/?

[phkrause]

DeSantis, LGBTQ plaintiffs settle ‘Don’t Say Gay’ school lawsuit

Students and teachers could discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms as long there is no instruction

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/03/11/desantis-lgbtq-activists-settle-dont-say-gay-school-lawsuit/?

[phkrause]

Death of nonbinary teen Nex Benedict after school fight is ruled a suicide, medical examiner says

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The death of a nonbinary student the day after a fight inside an Oklahoma high school restroom has been ruled a suicide, the state medical examiner’s office said Wednesday.

https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-death-nex-benedict-oklahoma-owasso-88f403bfd5436a53b636dcc2bc59ebf8?

[phkrause]

Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner backs New York county’s ban on transgender female athletes

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner on Monday said she supported a local New York official’s order banning female sports teams with transgender athletes from using county-owned facilities.

https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athletes-ban-new-york-caitlyn-jenner-93fb6b1195161ba0e306d67ec5a6160d?

[phkrause]

After a county restricted transgender women in sports, a roller derby league said, ‘No way’

SEAFORD, N.Y. (AP) — They zip around the rink, armed with helmets, pads and mouthguards. They push, bump and occasionally crash out as they jostle for position on the hardwood floor.

https://apnews.com/article/transgender-roller-derby-nassau-new-york-a918953e0063760c9d00372f322b7765?

[phkrause]

The Trump camp and the White House clash over Biden’s recognition of ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’

President Joe Biden is facing criticism from Donald Trump’s campaign and religious conservatives for acknowledging March 31 — which corresponds with Easter Sunday this year — as “Transgender Day of Visibility.” Read more.

[phkrause]

Wisconsin governor vetoes transgender high school athletics ban

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill Tuesday that was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature to ban high school transgender athletes from competing on teams that align with their gender identity.

https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-transgender-ban-veto-sports-811748211df5ccf3b4ec8d18a70358b6?

[phkrause]

Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives

Transgender Catholics — as well as a priest who welcomes them to his parish — expressed disappointment Monday with a new Vatican document rejecting the fundamental concept of changing one’s biological sex.

https://apnews.com/article/religion-catholic-lgbtq-transgender-gender-theory-e36e68a6bfabb33729d0d3f53230bafe?

[phkrause]

NAIA all but bans transgender athletes from women’s sports. NCAA vows to ensure ‘fair competition’

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced a policy Monday that all but bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at its 241 mostly small colleges across the country.

https://apnews.com/article/naia-transgender-ban-ad422f3a86ebcc4db618750c6a5d1c5f?

[phkrause]

Trans children are being let down by toxic debate and lack of evidence, a major UK report says A report from a senior doctor in England says children who question their gender identity are being let down by lack of evidence and a toxic political debate. Dr. Hilary Cass said there is “no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress,” and said young people have been caught up in a “stormy social discourse” about the issue. Read more.

Why this matters: The domestic impact: On April 1 doctors in England’s public health system stopped prescribing puberty-blocking hormones to children and young people with gender dysphoria. The decision came after recommendations in Cass’ earlier interim report, which said there is not enough evidence about the potential benefits and harms of the blockers.   The international impact: The decision — which is not an outright ban on puberty blockers — was criticized by some transgender campaigners and is being closely watched in the United States. Major U.S. medical associations endorse transgender medical care for minors, but several Republican-led states have banned puberty blockers and other treatments for transgender youth — and, in some cases, adults.   The political impact: U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the review’s recommendation of caution. But critics accuse Sunak’s Conservative government of weaponizing the issue of gender identity as part of a “culture war” electoral strategy.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ As his trans daughter struggles, a father pushes past his prejudice. ‘It was like a wake-up’   A US federal appeals court is hearing arguments on the nation’s first ban on gender-affirming care for minors   Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people

[phkrause]

Tennessee GOP senators OK criminalizing helping minors get transgender care, mimicking abortion bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are considering criminalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care without parental consent, a proposal advancing in one of the most eager states to enact policies aimed at the LGBTQ+ community.

https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-gender-affirming-care-minors-a3ae1b263d430fbf4a2176ef76f3a843?