A federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from refusing to process and issue passport applications for transgender and nonbinary people in accordance with their gender identity.
This is the first paragraph of a story today from Chris Geidner, known online as the LawDork. This is huge if it holds. Trump immediately attacked transgender rights in his second term. One of his first actions was reversing the prior administration’s policy of self-determination of gender on US passports. This court order reinstates the self-determination policy that was in place before Trump’s executive order. It includes the recognition of X markers for non-binary people.
Of course, it is highly likely that the Trump administration will appeal this order. For now though, the issuance of passports with correct gender marker is once again policy. Will the Trump administration obey this court order? That remains to be seen. This federal government has been making a habit of ignoring court orders. If I hadn’t gotten my passport with the correct gender already, I would certainly be applying now.
The journey continues. Today, we see a glimmer of hope.
The figure was created by sculptor Stan Watts and “symbolizes the divine intervention as well as the man and his message of unity and resilience for which America stands,” according to the Trump Statue Project’s website.
The UK Supreme Court ruling excluded trans women from the legal definition of a woman. This decision has emboldened anti-trans bigots. They are viciously attacking any woman who doesn’t meet their standards of femininity, including breast cancer survivors.
I would encourage you to check out this post from Tilly Bridges. Her analyses of trans allegory in popular media are always fascinating! This one is absolutely spot on. For anyone not in the know: ‘Per aspera ad astra is a Latin phrase that translates literally as “through asperities (hardships, adversities, rigours) to the stars.”‘ (Wikipedia) Thus, Ad astra per aspera would roughly translate to “To the stars through adversity.”
Tilly promises a three-part series on the topic of this episode of Strange New Worlds. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Trans man “ElectricDade” on YouTube shares with you what every trans person in this country is feeling right now. Be prepared with tissues if you have any empathy at all. Tears flowed when I watched it this morning. I already knew what to expect. I am living this every day.
ICE is a rogue police agency that’s been given license to literally detain anyone they choose. Being a citizen is no protection. Carry your papers. Who knows when some armed thug in jeans and a face mask will come up on you and demand them.
Even the Nazis wore uniforms.
Due Process applies to everyone, or it applies to no one. If they can do this to American citizens of Latino descent, what stops them from doing the same to you? Are you cis-het, white, and male? No? Then you could be next.
I am a well educated woman, a lesbian, and an eclectic Pagan. I am loving and giving. I am a caretaker type, who often fails miserably at self care. I have fibromyalgia, seizure disorder, and AFib.
I am complex, complicated, and worth the effort.
An Aging Trans Woman 