Tag Archives: trans issues

“The president’s tweet this morning regarding transgender Americans in the military is yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made by Twitter. The statement was unclear. The Department of Defense has already decided to allow currently-serving transgender individuals to stay in the military, and many are serving honorably today. Any American who meets current medical and …

Everybody was caught by surprise by this morning’s anti-transgender tweets, including the Pentagon, but the press releases are starting to roll in. Here’s some of what I’ve gotten so far. From the Democratic National Committee: Right this moment, around the world, brave transgender service members are protecting the American people – including Donald Trump and Mike Pence. While the White …

Closeted homosexual blogger Matt Drudge reacted to today’s announcement by Trump with an uncharacteristic exclamation point on his headline, which links to a New York Times report. Make of that what you will.

Donald Trump, the self-described best friend the LGBT community ever had, is bowing to evangelical hate groups. From the New York Times: President Trump tweeted on Wednesday that the United States will not “allow or accept” any transgender person to serve in the military. Mr. Trump consulted with “generals and military experts” on the sweeping policy, he said. “Our military …

The Texas Tribune reports: As part of Republican efforts to revive the controversial “bathroom bill,” the Texas Senate on Tuesday gave initial approval to another version of the legislation. The 21-10 vote — identical to the Senate’s March vote on a similar proposal — came after several amendments to the bill on the floor throughout an eight-hour debate during which …

CBS News reports: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation Friday requiring the state to give guidance to public schools about policies for transgender students, including blocking the schools from forcing the students from using bathrooms that conflict with their gender identities. The civil rights group Garden State Equality applauded the Republican governor for signing the measure saying that Christie …

The Texas Tribune reports: For the third time this year, a committee of state lawmakers will consider measures to restrict bathroom use for transgender residents in what’s expected to be an hours-long hearing Friday that could draw out hundreds of Texans to testify. On the Senate State Affairs Committee’s agenda are Senate Bill 3 and Senate Bill 91 — both …

From the Family Research Council’s daily prayer: Heavenly Father, it is time for you to act, for your law is being broken! This policy must be rejected: it brazenly defies You, God our Creator, and Your fixed, eternal moral laws. We defied your definition of marriage, now we defy the very apex of your created order, mankind created in your …

The Texas Tribune reports: On the opening day of the special session of the Texas Legislature on Tuesday, over the cries of Senate Democrats, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick took a step to fast-track two bills reauthorizing the Texas Medical Board and four other state agencies jeopardized by inaction during the regular session. The Senate must first pass those bills before …

The Associated Press reports: A transgender Texan has posted an all-smiles photo with Gov. Greg Abbott to protest a “bathroom bill” that state lawmakers will again consider during a special legislative session beginning Tuesday. Ashley Smith posed with Abbott after he announced his re-election campaign Friday in San Antonio. She later identified herself in the photo as “trans-woman” and posted …

The Dallas Morning News reports: IBM is upping the ante in its fight against Texas’ so-called “bathroom bill,” dispatching top executives to Austin and waging an ad war against what it calls the “discriminatory legislation.” Before state lawmakers reconvene Tuesday for a special legislative session, the technology giant is taking out full-page advertisements in The Dallas Morning News, San Antonio …

The Hill reports: Olympic gold medalist and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner is the latest celebrity to reveal she has considered launching a run for Senate, telling radio host John Catsimatidis she is in the process of determining her future in activism and politics. “I have considered it. I like the political side of it,” Jenner, who is a Republican, told …

The Washington Post reports: First, Caitlyn Jenner claimed she wanted to be a “trans ambassador” to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) during his presidential campaign. Then she cast her ballot for President Trump in the November election. And now, Jenner — the famed transgender icon and one of the few high-profile celebrities to throw staunch support behind the Republican commander in …

From the Catholic news site Tablet: The Church of England has passed a motion on welcoming transgender people at their General Synod. Members of Synod, meeting in York from 7 – 10 July, supported a call for the House of Bishops to consider preparing nationally commended liturgical materials to mark a person’s gender transition. The motion also recognises the “need …

Via email from Washington Won’t Discriminate: Pop the champagne bottles, we just defeated I-1552! Backers of this dangerous initiative needed to submit 260,000 valid petition signatures to the Secretary of State by 3PM today to qualify for the ballot. They didn’t even show up to hand over their petitions. No signatures = automatic disqualification. I-1552 will NOT be on Washington’s …

Reuters reports: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a six-month delay in allowing transgender recruits to join the U.S. armed forces, a Pentagon spokeswoman said. Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement that Mattis accepted a recommendation to defer transgender applicants until Jan. 1. The Pentagon ended its ban on openly transgender people serving in the U.S. military …

Another unexpected move from Sessions. Via Politico: Attorney General Jeff Sessions is vowing to aggressively enforce federal hate crime laws, countering concerns among civil rights groups and some of his former Senate colleagues that he might put such prosecutions on the back burner. “I know the responsibility that we have, and we have a responsibility to protect people’s freedom, their …

The Associated Press reports: Military chiefs will seek a six-month delay before letting transgender people enlist in their services, officials said Friday. After meetings this week, the service leaders hammered out an agreement that rejected Army and Air Force requests for a two-year wait and reflected broader concerns that a longer delay would trigger criticism on Capitol Hill, officials familiar …

I believe this is a first. Via press release: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed the spire of One World Trade Center and the Kosciuszko Bridge to be lit this weekend in honor of LGBT pride. The iconic landmarks will be lit the colors of the transgender flag for Trans Day of Action today, June 23rd and the colors of …

Mic reports: June 22 is now officially Laverne Cox Day in New York City. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, made the surprise announcement on Thursday when the actress made an appearance at his official residence, Gracie Mansion. “Can you believe that a black transgender woman from Mobile, Alabama, raised by a single mother has a day in New …