The Trump Administration Is Trying To Erase The Existence Of Trans People By Redefining Gender
Trans people #WontBeErased
The Trump administration is considering changes to the legal definition of gender that would totally erase the existence of trans people, rolling back hard-won protections for trans people in health, education and other government programs. It’s the latest move in Trump’s series of attacks on the trans community, and people are scared and furious.
The New York Times reported today that a US Government memo suggests legally defining gender as an unchangeable biological condition determined by an individual’s genitals at birth. If a person’s gender is unclear, the memo suggests using a DNA test to settle it.
If the new definition was enacted, it would undo the advances for transgender people in the US enacted under President Obama, which made it easier for trans people to access public bathrooms, change their passports, and obtain health insurance. The new definition would also make things very difficult for intersex people. That’s because the wording of the proposed definition totally ignores the fact that trans and intersex people exist, making it impossible to legally recognise or protect them.
Trans and gender non-conforming people have responded to the news by posting photos of themselves to social media with the hashtag #WontBeErased. At a protest in New York shortly after the Times article came out, trans actress Indya Moore slammed the proposal as “the political opinion of people who have not taken the time to get to know the rest of their human brothers, sisters and siblings”.
They can try all they want, but they cannot erase us.
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) October 21, 2018
“This is not okay,” Moore said. “Our law enforcement is not enforcing the law. Our government is not protecting us. They are exploiting us. Slowly but surely, little by little, many different groups of vulnerable bodies and people have been targeted.”
“Because of someone’s opinion. Because of someone else’s narcissism. Because someone felt that their existence was more worthy and valuable than someone else’s,” she said. “We will not fight ignorance with our fists — we will fight ignorance, a lack of information, with information.”
TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS pic.twitter.com/elPfwMOhvo
— CHELLA MAN (@chellamanart) October 22, 2018
To cisgender gay, lesbian and bisexual people,
Please take a moment today to remember the trans women who put their lives on the line to create the LGBTQ Rights Movement so you could live openly today.#wewillnotbeerased pic.twitter.com/duua8r8GVR
— Brian Latimer (@briskwalk) October 21, 2018
The cruelty and bigotry of this administration truly has no limit. We should be doing everything we can to protect our transgender brothers and sisters. https://t.co/pD4dZ6tULc
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) October 21, 2018
While the legal changes at this stage are just a suggestion in the US, many trans people there are very afraid given Trump’s previous hostility to trans people — see, for instance, his efforts to ban trans people from serving in the military.
The news out of the US is also concerning for the trans community in Australia, which has similarly been pretty hostile to trans people of late. A reminder, then, that if you’re not trans, this community could really use your support right about now.
for fellow trans people in the US feeling hopeless today: your fear is seen & heard, and i share the same fear in my heart.
but in this moment that heart also holds fire, and i want to share *that* with you too. we are going to hold together, and we will fight, and we will win!
— jess (@l1quidcryst4l) October 22, 2018
Feature image via Chella Man on Twitter