This & That In The News

A couple of news articles caught my attention…

An article in the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank funded by the Koch brothers, reported that trans and gender non-binary people have been denied gun licenses.

The ATF Attempts to Deny Non-Binary and Trans Americans Guns
By Matthew Larosiere
January 14, 2019

At the end of January, someone at the National Shooting Sports Federation asked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) about non-binary people purchasing firearms. The ATF responded that, despite gender non-binary licenses being acceptable identification, the individual must still select either “male” or “female” on the standard firearm transfer form 4473.

The ATF’s rigid, unreasoned response makes it clear there’s a huge disconnect between the purpose of the form, and the ATF’s interpretation. Form 4473, which everyone must fill out when they purchase a firearm from a federally licensed dealer, is intended to identify the purchaser of the firearm, have them confirm they are legally eligible to receive the firearm, and give enough identifying information to run a background check.

How can forcing a prospective gun owner to select “male” or “female” make any difference in identifying them when they have already provided a driver’s license, a home address, place of birth, full name, and even social security number? When a form has so much information, it’s clear that someone’s sex adds little to its ability to properly identify them. Even in the odd situation where completely filling out the form would still yield multiple results, the ATF offers the creation of Unique Personal Identification Numbers (UPIN’s). Still, even with all these avenues of precisely identifying a person, the ATF insists that dealers may not transfer a firearm to a purchaser who refuses to “check the box.”

It is strange that a libertarian think tank is taking the side of trans and gender non-binary causes but it fits their libertarian beliefs in having less government interference.

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Anti-LGBTQ+ violence is increasing all over the world as white supremacist increase their violence against us.

Homophobic arsonists torch HIV testing center in Athens
HIV testing is continuing in a mobile unit parked outside the torched building
Gaystar News
By Shannon Power
13 March 2019

The Greek government has condemned an arson attack on a LGBTI sexual health organization in Athens.

Unknown assailants set fire to the Athens headquarters of Checkpoint during the early hours of Monday morning. Located in the central and tourist area, Monastiraki, fire fighters were able to stop the fire spreading to the second floor and adjacent buildings.

The arsonists scaled the first floor balcony, ripping down the external Pride flag and throwing gasoline through the windows.

The Greek government and civic leaders spoke out against the violence.
‘The Rainbow flag will be waving again today in our structure as a political statement that human rights do not succumb to any fascist extortion.’

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Finally some good news!

Last week I testified for a bill to add a third option for gender on state IDs and forms, in my testimony I said that there were eleven states to have the third option well that has now changed.

Vermont Will Become 8th State to Green-Light Gender-Neutral IDs
Republican Gov. Phil Scott added that the new ID policy “is consistent with our Vermont values of inclusion and acceptance.”
The Advocate
By Nico Lang
March 14, 2019

Mark your calendars, Vermonters.

This week, the Green Mountain State announced it will begin issuing gender-neutral IDs and driver’s licenses to transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people this summer. Residents will soon be able choose between “M,” “F,” or “X” on their identification.

After announcing plans to roll out a third gender option last year, the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles finally confirmed the changes Wednesday.
[…]
The update will make Vermont one of at least eight states, along with Washington, D.C., that allow residents to print something other than “male” or “female” on their IDs. Others include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Oregon. Earlier this week Vice President Mike Pence’s home state of Indiana became the latest to join the growing list.

There seems to be a disagreement over the number of states with a gender non-binary option, Vermont according to my count is the twelfth state with the option.

But also note that this is not a law in Vermont but a regulation by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.