Trump Administration Eyes Defining Transgender Out of Existence

[Reyes]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/21/us/politics/transgender-trump-administration-sex-definition.html

New York Times/By Erica L. Green, Katie Benner and Robert Pear   Oct. 21, 2018
I am getting really really scared right now.... ; -;

Someone not in the US, please please please come save me from this hellhole of a country...

[AnneK]

Fortunately, the mid terms are coming up soon.

[VivianB]

This is terrifying. I knew he was going to this sooner or later.

I want to leave this planet.

[HappyMoni]

The country is not a hell hole. The people in charge of it right now have without doubt declared us the enemy. They come for us, they come for immigrants, they come for LGB's, poor people, black/brown people! At what point do people stop pretending these are normal American values, and realize this is sick, wrong, evil even? Vote, get your friends to get off their butts and vote.

[PhoenixGurl2016]

What does this mean for us who have "Completed" our legal journey? Will this invalidated all my legal papers if it goes through or could we get by?

Regardless, this is absolutely terrifying for those who are thinking about, has begun, or are in their legal journey.


I am so scared...

[ainsley]

What does this mean for us who have "Completed" our legal journey? Will this invalidated all my legal papers if it goes through or could we get by?

Regardless, this is absolutely terrifying for those who are thinking about, has begun, or are in their legal journey.


I am so scared...

"Sex means a person's status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth," the department proposed in the memo, which was drafted and has been circulating since last spring. "The sex listed on a person's birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person's sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence."

So, if you've changed your BC and had surgery, then they can use genetic testing to still refer to you as the gender you transitioned FROM.

This is a travesty, if enacted, from a federal programs' perspective. 

[Janes Groove]

I wonder how our "official transgender spokesperson", Caitlyn Jenner, will spin this.

[PhoenixGurl2016]

"Sex means a person's status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth," the department proposed in the memo, which was drafted and has been circulating since last spring. "The sex listed on a person's birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person's sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence."

So, if you've changed your BC and had surgery, then they can use genetic testing to still refer to you as the gender you transitioned FROM.

This is a travesty, if enacted, from a federal programs' perspective.

I get that, but that would basically mean "we are not citizens" do to "incorrect legal papers" we would not be able to do anything.....o my...that is scary...

[Devlyn]

I wonder how our "official transgender spokesperson", Caitlyn Jenner, will spin this.

... except Caitlyn herself said the exact opposite of this. Fearmongering and misinformation is not helpful here.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/caitlyn-jenner-im-not-a-spokesperson-for-the-trans-community/amp/

[GingerVicki]

"Sex means a person's status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth,"

That is an uneducated statement that clearly shows ignorance. Immutable? Have they ever heard of vagioplasty?

"The sex listed on a person's birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person's sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence."

Does this mean that if someone has intersex chromosomes that it is ok to transition?

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) is a federal law that protects individuals from genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment. Genetic discrimination is the misuse of genetic information.

If this actually go through and becomes law, it will prove that Democracy is done.

to·tal·i·tar·i·an. Use totalitarian in a sentence. adjective. Totalitarian means relating to a government where the ruler or ruling group has complete control. An example of totalitarian used as an adjective is in the phrase "totalitarian regime" which means a rule where the ruler has total authority over everyone.

[blackcat]

Realistically, what could this mean for healthcare, HRT, getting surgery, etc.?

I'm fine as long as I can get the proper medical care I need.

If I lose access to the medical treatment I need, I can't live.

What does this mean? This is crushing.

Yes, I'm voting.

Aren't more than half of intersex conditions NOT identifiable via chromosome testing, anyway??

[Virginia]

A science fiction short story I read in high school comes to mind (?Clark? Vonnegut? Bradbury?). Relying on my 40 year old memory, the plot was roughly that a group of scientists discover a creature in the jungles of Africa they believe to be the missing link between Homo Sapiens and animals. When they decide to do an autopsy to study the creature's brain, the case is brought to court to determine whether the creature should be treated as an animal or has the rights of a human.

Transgender people have reached the point in society where there is a tremendous amount at risk or to gain. Regardless of the outcome, it is a huge step forward for the US Government to stop waffling by trying to define gender through a series of decisions and legal precedence and develop an explicit and uniform legal definition of gender.

[Janes Groove]

Mea culpa.

[GingerVicki]

From what I understand, the only realistic reason for something like this is to take benefits away. Otherwise why would they do it. I guess they are doing this to remove transgender benefits from Medicare coverage. Medicaid is controlled by the state, so coverage would still be available in states where it is covered.

oral E and Spiro are usually affordable even without prescription. Patches and Injections cost much more.

[DustKitten]

They're doing it to help them win elections. They do it to embolden their followers: every little right they take away from a minority group is worth another small bump in the polls for them. It's despicable.

Essentially, they're re-enacting that centuries-old game of blame just to keep themselves in power. When they do things like this to us, their followers look at it and see them going after "the enemy", persecuting the people who have challenged their old ways of thinking. It's not just that they hate us, it's that they need someone to hate. They needed a rallying cry, and we're an easy target. Do any of us truly believe they'll stop there? We're in danger of losing basic rights every time they need a boost in popularity, this won't be the end of it.

Pointing that out isn't "fearmongering", it's calling attention to problems that we, as a community, will face if things don't change soon. If we can't get them out of power, then the next time they go after our rights, it's going to be a lot scarier than this.

[AnneK]

From what I understand, the only realistic reason for something like this is to take benefits away.

While that's likely part of it, the bigger picture is pandering to those who support them.  Look at Trump's response to Charlottesville.  Look at how he's targeted Mexicans, Muslims and more.  It's a pull up the drawbridge and keep the others out kind of government.  If you're not one of "them" you're out.

[itsApril]

No, it's not "fearmongering" or "alarmism."  It's a REAL ALARM - red flashing lights and wailing siren.

People have made all sorts of excuses for this administration and its supporters, telling us we're just worrying about nothing, and they don't really mean what they say.  Wake the hell up, people!  They want us GONE!

An apt thought for the day: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." 
-Maya Angelou

[PhoenixGurl2016]

No, it's not "fearmongering" or "alarmism."  It's a REAL ALARM - red flashing lights and wailing siren.

People have made all sorts of excuses for this administration and its supporters, telling us we're just worrying about nothing, and they don't really mean what they say.  Wake the hell up, people!  They want us GONE!

An apt thought for the day: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."  -Maya Angelou

I hate to break it to you, but it is not just us and this is not the first Red Flag..... There have been many and not many people are speaking out about it. The level of general level of apathy is scary. Things don't matter unless it is about you and even then, it doesn't matter cause it isn't here yet. People need to wake up. I rather do something for a reason that doesn't happen then to not do anything and have something happen.

[GingerVicki]

They're doing it to help them win elections. They do it to embolden their followers: every little right they take away from a minority group is worth another small bump in the polls for them. It's despicable.

Essentially, they're re-enacting that centuries-old game of blame just to keep themselves in power. When they do things like this to us, their followers look at it and see them going after "the enemy", persecuting the people who have challenged their old ways of thinking. It's not just that they hate us, it's that they need someone to hate. They needed a rallying cry, and we're an easy target. Do any of us truly believe they'll stop there? We're in danger of losing basic rights every time they need a boost in popularity, this won't be the end of it.

Pointing that out isn't "fearmongering", it's calling attention to problems that we, as a community, will face if things don't change soon. If we can't get them out of power, then the next time they go after our rights, it's going to be a lot scarier than this.

Can you imagine what can be done by someone who doesn't have to win another election? This term isn't the scary one to be worried about. This is him wanting/needing another successful run for president. Trump is a Hardliner and he gets things done.

With all my disagreements, really only LGBT rights, he is doing what should have been done a long time ago. He is running the country like a business like it needs be. The United States citizens need to come first although he can still get done what he needs to without bullying the LGBT and minorities.

I find it hard to believe that he finds time to assault the LGBT community. In my opinion he needs to stay focused on the things that matter. Such as: pulling out of the 1955 Nuclear Agreement, removing Environmental Protection, and relations with Russia and China and Europe. And that is the start of the list!

It is hard to believe that he used to be a Democrat.

[randim]

Unspeakably vile. This really hurts transitioning kids in school that need access to bathrooms and locker rooms. And of course it's a green light for general discrimination against trans people, including job discrimination. It's just awful.