They Have Our Backs… Well Mostly

A new poll is out and it shows that 70 percent support us, and  the 30 percent?

Research finds most adults support trans rights – but it depends on where they get their news
The Hill
By Brooke Migdon
March 29, 2022


Story at a glance

• More than 70 percent of adults believe transgender people should have equal rights and be protected from violence and discrimination, according to a new report from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
• According to the report, outlets like Fox News, Breitbart, The Daily Wire and Newsmax “especially” contribute to the erasure of trans and nonbinary communities.
• Almost 80 percent of adults who consume mostly left-leaning media said they believed transgender people deserve support and healthcare that affirms their “authentic gender.”

Media coverage of issues related to the transgender community has a significant impact on society’s perception of trans individuals, according to new research from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Often, media sources – either intentionally or inadvertently – perpetuate stereotypes and further stigmatization of trans and nonbinary people in the way they cover them.

[…]

A Pew Research Center report published over the summer found that more than 40 percent of U.S. adults personally know someone who is transgender, and those that do are more likely to say that greater acceptance of trans people is good for society in general.

According to the HRC report, which collected data from more than 4,000 American adults, more than 70 percent of those surveyed believe trans people should “have equal rights and be able to live free of violence and discrimination.”

The report also identified where we need to do more work.

On this week of Trans Visibility a Human Rights Campaign report stated that,

Trans visibility is a counter to the invisibility of trans and non-binary people that is too often prevalent in the news and media. For decades, when trans people were represented, they were portrayed negatively and as outsiders from mainstream society.

These portrayals have significant real-world effects. Some of the first and most common ways both trans and cisgender people learn about trans and non-binary people is through the news and media. Negative portrayals create a stigma around the trans community that impacts their safety and well-being. It may also cause people questioning their gender to become fearful of the consequences of living openly. These portrayals often expose cisgender people to disinformation, which may cause them to be less likely to support friends, family members and acquaintances who come out as trans or non-binary.

In contrast, positive trans visibility in the news and media is a powerful tool for changing hearts and minds and reminding viewers, particularly cisgender people, that the trans community is also part of their community. It reduces stigma and sends the message that living openly is okay. It also allows cisgender people to see authentic trans narratives rather than stereotypes that fuel the marginalization of trans and non-binary people.

Just look at Pride coverage, how many times have you seen only drag queens covered in the news about the event? When I first started doing outreach with a speaker bureau in the very early 2000s many students were surprised when I showed up in jeans and sneakers. Many thought that would show up wearing bouffant hairdos, stiletto high heels, miniskirt, and tons of makeup. That was because of the news media portrayal of us, it has changed over the years but still many media outlets still show only drag queens.

The Hill article ends with…

A majority of respondents – 51 percent – who consume only right-leaning news said they could best serve transgender and nonbinary people by “helping them to live as the sex they were born,” or their sex assigned at birth. Just over 30 percent of adults who consume right-leaning news agreed that trans people seek equal treatment under the law.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, nearly 80 percent of adults who consume mostly left-leaning media or media that does not include right-leaning sources said they believed “any transgender person deserves support and healthcare that helps them to live as their authentic gender.”

Come out, come out wherever you are (But only if it is safe.).

He Has Our Back!

The White House just issued a proclamation…

A Proclamation on Transgender Day Of Visibility, 2022

MARCH 30, 2022

•

PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

     To everyone celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility, I want you to know that your President sees you.  The First Lady, the Vice President, the Second Gentleman, and my entire Administration see you for who you are — made in the image of God and deserving of dignity, respect, and support.  On this day and every day, we recognize the resilience, strength, and joy of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people.  We celebrate the activism and determination that have fueled the fight for transgender equality.  We acknowledge the adversity and discrimination that the transgender community continues to face across our Nation and around the world.

     Visibility matters, and so many transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming Americans are thriving.  Like never before, they are sharing their stories in books and magazines; breaking glass ceilings of representation on television and movie screens; enlisting — once again — to serve proudly and openly in our military; getting elected and making policy at every level of government; and running businesses, curing diseases, and serving our communities in countless other ways.

     Despite this progress, transgender Americans continue to face discrimination, harassment, and barriers to opportunity.  Transgender women and girls — especially transgender women and girls of color — continue to face epidemic levels of violence, and 2021 marked the deadliest year on record for transgender Americans.  Each of these lives lost was precious.  Each of them deserved freedom, justice, and joy.  We must honor their lives with action by advancing equity and civil rights for all transgender people.

     In the past year, hundreds of anti-transgender bills in States were proposed across America, most of them targeting transgender kids.  The onslaught has continued this year.  These bills are wrong.  Efforts to criminalize supportive medical care for transgender kids, to ban transgender children from playing sports, and to outlaw discussing LGBTQI+ people in schools undermine their humanity and corrode our Nation’s values.  Studies have shown that these political attacks are damaging to the mental health and well-being of transgender youth, putting children and their families at greater risk of bullying and discrimination.

     My entire Administration is committed to ensuring that transgender people enjoy the freedom and equality that are promised to everyone in America.  That is why I signed an Executive Order Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.  We are expanding Federal non-discrimination protections; promoting strategies to address violence against the transgender community and advance gender equity and equality; and disseminating new resources to enhance inclusion, opportunity, and safety for transgender people.  Additionally, Americans will soon be able to select more inclusive gender markers on their passports.  I continue to call on the Congress to swiftly pass the bipartisan Equality Act, which will ensure that LGBTQI+ individuals and families cannot be denied housing, employment, education, credit, and more because of who they are or who they love.  We will continue to work to help transgender people around the world live free from discrimination and violence.

     On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor transgender people who are fighting for freedom, equality, dignity, and respect.  We also celebrate the parents, teachers, coaches, doctors, and other allies who affirm the identities of their transgender children and help these young people reach their potential.  Transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know, and our Nation and the world are stronger, more vibrant, and more prosperous because of them.  To transgender Americans of all ages, I want you to know that you are so brave.  You belong.  I have your back.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2022, as Transgender Day of Visibility.  I call upon all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating discrimination against all transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people — and all people.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The last resident of the White House did everything in his power to attack us. He tried to ban us from healthcare, he banned us from the military. He ignored the Supreme Court ruling and tried strip Title VII coverage for us.

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But the proclamation is not the only thing that the Biden administration is doing for us,

New Title IX rules set to assert rights of transgender students
The Washington Post
By Laura Meckler
March 30, 2022


Discrimination against transgender students would be a violation of federal civil rights law under proposed regulations the Education Department is expected to finalize in the coming weeks.

Title IX bars discrimination on the basis of sex in education, and the new rules would make clear this includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, among other things, according to two people familiar with a draft of the proposed regulation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the subject.

Regulations carry the power of law. The rules, if finalized, would set up a clash with state laws that bar transgender women from competing in women’s sports. Those statutes are already being challenged in the courts.

A spokeswoman for the Education Department declined to comment on what will be in the proposed regulation, which the administration has said it expects to publish in April.

The draft text of the regulation included this key sentence, according to the people familiar with it: “Discrimination on the basis of sex includes discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex-related characteristics (including intersex traits), pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

However, with each administration change the regulations can also change, Trump threw all of President Obama’s regulations, and President Biden is throwing out all of Trump’s regulations (Who ignored the Supreme Court rulings.) so without a law backing up the regulations we will see this with ever administration change.

The highly anticipated Title IX rules are under review at the White House. The next step is a notice of proposed rulemaking, giving the public the chance to comment before they are finalized.

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But this isn’t all that the administration is doing for us.

Biden to mark Transgender Day of Visibility with new actions
AP
March 31, 2022


President Joe Biden is commemorating Transgender Day of Visibility by celebrating prominent transgender Americans and advocating against what his administration terms “dangerous anti-transgender legislative attacks” that have passed in statehouses across the country.

Biden on Thursday is announcing new measures aimed at making the federal government more inclusive for transgender people, including a new “X” gender marker on U.S. passport applications beginning on April 11 and new Transportation Security Administration scanners that are gender-neutral.

The Democratic president’s administration is working to expand the availability of the “X” gender marker to airlines and federal travel programs and will make it easier for transgender people to change their gender information in Social Security Administration records.

Visitors to the White House will soon also be able to select an “X” gender marker option in the White House Worker and Visitor Entry System, which is used to conduct screening background checks for visitors to the executive mansion.

And get a load of this…

Biden also planned to release a video message to transgender Americans on Thursday.

“Jeopardy!” champion Amy Schneider, the first openly transgender winner on the quiz show, will visit the White House on Thursday to meet with second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Emhoff, along with Admiral Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, will also host a conversation with transgender kids and their parents at the White House.

In Florida, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will meet with LGBTQ+ students in the wake of the state’s new law that bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade. Republicans argue that parents should broach these subjects with children. Democrats have said the law demonizes LGBTQ people by excluding them from classroom lessons.

“Their conversation will focus on the impacts of Florida’s so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, students’ experiences at school and, in particular, support for LGBTQI+ student mental health and well-being,” the White House said.

HHS, the White House said, will also be the first agency to fly a trans pride flag.

Fantastic!

You know that the Republicans governors are going to be hopping mad over all of this and we are likely going to see many law suits over this. And I wouldn't bet that some of Trump's judges rule against the regulations. 

For a list of all the things that the President is doing go to... "FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Advances Equality and Visibility for Transgender Americans"

Are You Visible?

There was a movie 1958 called the “Invisible Man” well the antipodean of that is the “Visible Man” instead of being closeted being out in the open. The Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31.

For many of us, myself included it is just another day but for other parts of the country it is a challenge to be out in public now. In Texas. In Florida. In states like Arizona, Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and South Dakota and even New Hampshire it is taking courage to be out with the ramped up violence against us that is being stirred by anti-trans laws.

In the blue states we see cities embracing trans people, while in the red states they are being forced back into the closets.

Transgender Day of Visibility resolution unanimously approved in Washtenaw County
“A symbol of our commitment to fostering a diverse and welcoming community”
WDIV
By Sarah Parlette
March 17, 2022


March 31 will now be known as Transgender Day of Visibility in Washtenaw County.

On Wednesday, the county’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the day and adding it to county calendars for this year and beyond.

A Transgender Pride Flag has been raised at the Washtenaw County Administration Building in Ann Arbor in past years to show solidarity with transgender individuals in the community.

Later this month another flag-raising will commemorate the day of visibility. Details have not yet been announced.

“I am proud to be a part of our community where our elected officials are willing to annually recognize Transgender Day of Visibility and fly the Transgender Pride Flag over our government buildings,” said District 8 Commissioner Jason Morgan in a release. “It’s a symbol of our commitment to fostering a diverse and welcoming community, and a reminder that we have more work to do to improve the lives of transgender individuals in every corner of our County.”

Meanwhile in some red states they have banned flying the trans or Pride flags.

Jersey City to Mark March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility
Tap into Jersey City
By Al Sullivan
March 13, 2022


The Jersey City Municipal Council will mark March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility to honor the achievements and contributions of living members of the transgender and gender-nonconforming community.

International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is an annual event dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.

In 2021, President Joe Biden officially proclaimed March 31 as a Transgender Day of Visibility, making him the first American president to issue a formal presidential proclamation recognizing the commemoration. 

Meanwhile in Red states they are trying to ban us from saying “Gay” in classrooms.

Last year President Biden issued a proclamation on the TDOV and I imagine he will do it again this year…

A Proclamation on Transgender Day Of Visibility, 2021

MARCH 31, 2021

PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

Today, we honor and celebrate the achievements and resiliency of transgender individuals and communities.  Transgender Day of Visibility recognizes the generations of struggle, activism, and courage that have brought our country closer to full equality for transgender and gender non-binary people in the United States and around the world.  Their trailblazing work has given countless transgender individuals the bravery to live openly and authentically.  This hard-fought progress is also shaping an increasingly accepting world in which peers at school, teammates and coaches on the playing field, colleagues at work, and allies in every corner of society are standing in support and solidarity with the transgender community.

In spite of our progress in advancing civil rights for LGBTQ+ Americans, too many transgender people — adults and youth alike — still face systemic barriers to freedom and equality.  Transgender Americans of all ages face high rates of violence, harassment, and discrimination.  Nearly one in three transgender Americans have experienced homelessness at some point in life.  Transgender Americans continue to face discrimination in employment, housing, health care, and public accommodations.  The crisis of violence against transgender women, especially transgender women of color, is a stain on our Nation’s conscience.

It is like Dickens's Tale of Two Cities,

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Depending on where you live it can be either for us, a living hell or bearable.

Whatever you do on the TDOV be safe.

I will be doing what I always do… being out in the open.

She’s Right On!

A couple of years ago I would have said that 99% of the people didn’t know a trans person but now that is changing, the percentage is still high but it is coming down thanks to people like Amy Schneider, Danica Roem, and Dr. Rachel Levine.

‘People fear what they don’t understand’: Rachel Levine, pioneering trans official, on protecting Americans’ health
Dr. Levine discusses why debates over trans rights are so toxic, and how the climate crisis will widen health disparities
The Guardian
By Ed Pilkington
28 December 2021


This year has been excruciating for many Americans who have been battered by Covid, extreme weather disasters and political discord, but for one individual 2021 will be remembered for having propelled her into national prominence.

Rachel Levine has shattered not one but two major glass ceilings this year. In March, she became the first openly transgender person to win confirmation in the US Senate after Joe Biden nominated her as assistant secretary of health.

Then in October she was sworn in as the first openly transgender four-star officer as an admiral and head of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. At that exalted rank she gets to wear the blue uniform of the corps, which though non-military is one of eight uniformed services.
[…]
Sensitive and supportive medical care has overwhelmingly positive outcomes, she said. “There is so much evidence that trans youth, when they are supported by their family and community and receive the standards of care treatment, they have excellent physical and mental health outcomes.”

She is bring about change, not just for us but she is bring about visibility to use and sometimes she is a lightning rod for the haters. Much of the lightning strikes are coming from politicians.

Much of the toxicity around the trans debate, Levine believes, is whipped up by partisan posturing. “A lot of this is political. There are those who are using these issues as wedge issues in the upcoming election.”

She has personal experience of being targeted by such hostility. Rand Paul, the Republican senator from Kentucky, was rebuked during Levine’s confirmation hearing for his “harmful misrepresentation” of transgender surgery as a form of genital mutilation.

Jim Banks, a Republican congress member from Indiana, was temporarily suspended from Twitter in October for willfully misgendering Levine. In a tweet, he said: “The title of first female four-star officer gets taken by a man”.

In addition to such politically laden hatred, Levine thinks that fear plays a large role in driving much of the transphobic agenda. “People fear what they don’t understand and have experience of. I’m hoping that my appointment, and my being open and out and working for the nation’s public health, will lead to less fear and more acceptance. That’s my goal.”

By being visible it does two things: first people get to see and know a trans person, they see we are just like them. We have all the same wants and likes, that… well we are normal. And second it show the hate we face everyday. They see Rand Paul misgender us, they see transphobic rants against us. We are not going to change everyone, we are not going to change the followers of Trump, we are not going to change the evangelical Christians, but we can change the movable middle.

Being out is not for everyone, but those brave enough to be out can make a huge difference.