On Thursday, March 31, the Biden administration recognized this year’s International Transgender Day of Visibility (ITDOV) with a number of promises to protect trans Americans from discrimination and exclusion, as highlighted over at CNN. Trans folks have always faced systemic and structural oppression here in the United States, but trans rights and equality have especially been under fire in recent months thanks to the conservative desire to stir hysteria in the face of midterm elections.
"Transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know,” Biden said in a presidential proclamation issued on Wednesday evening. “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.”
What does this look like in practice? While still not enough given the barrage of anti-trans legislation spewing from Republicans, the Biden administration is delivering some notable wins.
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To begin with, the Biden administration is making good on a promise to allow citizens to use “X” as a nonbinary marker on passport applications, which is a pretty big step. Now, a number of other countries already offer this option, but it’s still significant that the U.S. is finally coming around. Why?
A passport is one form of identification you can use for pretty much any purpose in the U.S. (and, at times, abroad), so having it match your actual gender identity can help when it comes to other forms of paperwork or applications. It can also be deeply affirming and less “confusing” to folks who might see your gender assigned at birth and have questions, especially if it doesn’t match, for example, what’s listed on your driver’s license. Consistency helps keep people safe from violence and emotional distress.
According to the Biden administration, they’re working with the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to make sure their systems are also updated to accept the “X” gender marker. This means that folks who use this option on their passport will (hopefully) have a smooth process when actually at airports or exiting or entering the country. Thankfully, it should also mean an end to the infamous and uncomfortable gender-based pat-downs in security.
And that’s not all. The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are apparently set to release resources specific to helping trans youth who may need additional mental health and anti-harassment support while in school. This could be especially useful now given how many Republicans are pushing anti-trans and anti-queer legislation like the infamous Don’t Say Gay law, and all the efforts to keep trans girls out of girls’ sports.
FAFSA (the free application for federal student aid for college students) will finally let trans folks indicate their gender identity on applications, too, which is another great step. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is also moving to allow trans folks to update their gender identity without a doctor’s note.
In less formal news, folks are taking to Twitter to celebrate ITDOV with humor and calls to action.
While all of this good to celebrate, it’s important to remember things are hard right now. Celebrate wins, yes, but don't stop fighting. This week alone we’ve seen a vehemently anti-queer bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis essentially banning discussions about LGBTQ+ identities in public schools, as well as an anti-trans sports bill in Oklahoma and two anti-trans bills in Arizona, one banning gender-affirming surgeries for youth (though those don’t commonly happen anyway) and one banning trans youth from participating in public school sports teams that align with their gender identities.
We have to celebrate, but we also have to stay fighting. What’s one thing you’re working on or curious to learn more about when it comes to supporting trans folks?
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