The Trump administration is considering stripping transgender people of official recognition by creating a narrow definition of gender as being only male or female and determined at birth, according to a report.
The US government is reportedly planning to restrict the definition of gender as immutable for an individual’s lifetime and that would be based on genitalia at birth, according to a leaked memo obtained by the New York Times.
The Department of Health and Human Services is aiming to establish a definition of gender determined “on a biological basis that is clear, grounded in science, objective and administrable,” the report said.
“Sex means a person’s status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth.
“The sex listed on a person’s birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person’s sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence.”
Advocates have blasted such a definition as essentially a declaration from the US government that gender identity and transgender people don’t exist and is being seen as a cruel rollback of the progress of the trans community.
The Human Rights Campaign said the plan detailed in the memo was “the latest effort in a consistent, multi-pronged campaign by the Trump-Pence White House over the past two years to undermine the rights and welfare of LGBTQ people.”
“Defining ‘sex’ in this narrow language tailored to the talking points of anti-equality extremists is part of a deliberate strategy to eliminate federal protections for LGBTQ people,” HRC President Chad Griffin said.
National Center for Transgender Equality executive director Mara Keisling said the attack on the trans community “will not succeed administratively, legally, or morally.”
“This administration is willing to disregard the established medical and legal view of our rights and ourselves to solidify an archaic, dogmatic, and frightening view of the world,” Kiesling said.
“If this administration is hoping to demoralize us, they will be disappointed. If they are hoping we will give up, they should reconsider the power of our persistence and our fury.”
‘We exist and we always have’
Politicians and celebrities alike have blasted the proposal, which will affect at least 1.4 million people in the US who currently identify as transgender.
Many began using the Twitter hashtag “#WontBeErased” in their condemnation of the leaked memo, and activists announced rallies and protests to voice their opposition to the change.
I can’t begin to express the rage I feel toward an administration that is trying to redefine me out of existence. Just another gift for his small minded base, terrified of the diversity that has always made America exceptional! #Vote https://t.co/OrAPEnaK9r
— Chaz Bono (@ChazBono) October 21, 2018
laws don’t determine our existence – *we* determine our existence – it’s our weapon, our shelter, our energy, our healer, our truth – we will keep moving forward – we will keep fighting – existence is *our* only law ????? https://t.co/qBet8ccwpJ
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) October 21, 2018
We must not give up the fight. But in the face of this affront on my existence and the existence of my community I choose love not fear. We exist and always have.
Trump Administration Eyes Defining Transgender Out of Existence https://t.co/G4rKB1mVfe
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2018
In indigenous cultures all over the world gender existed beyond the binary and folks who we would call trans today held sacred places in those cultures. Western colonialism drove those trans folks to the margins but we have always been here. Marginalizing trans folks is another
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2018
Example of the brutality of colonialism. This latest administration effort to legislate trans folks out of existence is yet another example of why the fight for gender equity must be intersectional and necessarily must include trans folks. Trans folks need everyone to stand with
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2018
us in this fight, to let our government know this is not who we are. We need the citizens of Massachusetts to #VoteYesOn3 Nov. 6 to send a strong message that you value the lives of your trans friends, family and neighbors. Trans people have been under attack by this
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2018
administration from day 1 and in state legislatures for years now. Let's join together America and assert #TransRightsAreHumanRights. #TransIsBeautiful
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) October 21, 2018
I woke to this. I'm honestly terrified. Basically TRUMP asked every gov agency define sex as only man or woman NOT Changable. only birth sex will be valid. disputes to be settled by genetic tests. He's already put people in charge who will approve this.https://t.co/pMDm3hzD1Z
— Peppermint (@Peppermint247) October 21, 2018
This is pure evil. Get your friends together and vote like our lives depend on it. Because they do. https://t.co/mri7fM62Dh
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 21, 2018
The cruelty and bigotry of this administration truly has no limit. We should be doing everything we can to protect our transgender brothers and sisters. https://t.co/pD4dZ6tULc
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) October 21, 2018
