Changes in policies, laws, and perspectives have been rampant in the past month or so, and many have become fearful or confused amidst all the action. The LGBTQ+ community especially has faced major government involvement, discrimination, and global discrepancies in the United States. The transgender community in particular has been targeted by federal conduct at much higher rates than other branches.

With lengthy bills and laws passing so rapidly, it’s hard to keep up. The below information covers some of the recent actions in simple and summative tones to allow a better understanding of the impacts and implications the acts have on the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on the transgender umbrella.

United States Federal Identity

Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has announced an official claim that individuals in the United States will be marked as the [censored] they were assigned at birth under the gender portion of government documents, such as passports.

He also allotted for non-binary and intersex identities to be eliminated from federal levels. However, gender identity remains “disconnected from biological reality and [censored] and existing on an infinite continuum.” Many are left confused by this action and unsure about the future of their travels and identity in and out of the country.

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Sports

Mid-January the U.S. House passed a bill banning transgender athletes who were assigned male at birth from participating in women's school sports. On February 5, Trump put the bill titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" into action under the federal law Title IX.

If schools (K-12 and university level) do not comply, they risk losing federal funding for their establishment. The law expands to other athletic organizations across the United States, such as the Olympics, thus affecting those who enter the States from other countries to participate in athletic competitions, as well.

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Gender-Affirming Action

On January 28, another bill passed through the White House centered on erasing gender-affirming action for children. In this instance, those under 19 are federally defined as “children”. The call to action includes limiting and prohibiting the distribution of puberty blockers, [censored] hormones (including estrogen and testosterone), and surgical procedures to amplify or alter the body in a way to assimilate oneself of a differing [censored].

In the next 90 days, there will be an updated literature for medical practices to ensure the safety and health of children facing gender dysphoria.

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Executive Removal

On the day of his inauguration, Trump removed protective Executive Orders that ensured the safety and stability of LGBTQ+ citizens within the United States. Some include numbers 14021 (Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free From Discrimination on the Basis of [censored], Including Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity) and 13988 (Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation).

It is to promote, quote, “immediate steps to end federal implementation of unlawful and radical DEI ideology,” according to the White House. This has caused uproar and backlash.

Military

New measures have been enacted by the government concerning those they deem fit to serve in the military. As stated on the White House website, “expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual’s [censored] cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.” In sum, they have announced that transgender people and those facing gender dysphoria are ”...not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”

To pursue the action in coordination with the Department of Defense, trans or gender dysphoric individuals are categorized as mentally and/or physically incompatible, alongside those with chronic mental disorders and prior psychiatric hospitalizations.

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Ways to Support the Community

NPR news article “More trans teen attempted suicide after states passed anti-trans laws, a study shows” highlights the direct, significant impact laws regarding transgender people, especially youth, have on their lives and those around them. The further anti-transgender legislation gets pushed, the higher rates of negative mental health and suicide appear alongside it.

The article looks into before and after anti-trans laws are passed, and a study among trans-youth shows “the likelihood of a past-year suicide attempt was 72% higher than it was before passage.” The statistic proves a scary reality, when acceptance and resources become limited, many turn to devastating results.

If you or someone you know are experiencing similar thoughts or feelings, please reach out or visit CNET’s “13 Suicide and Crisis Intervention Hotlines to Call or Text When You Need Help.”

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Humans need connection and support and there are many ways to show that support yourself. The easiest step to take is to be respectful, mindful and educated. Be aware of your surroundings and know the actions you take impact others more than you know.

Kindness goes further than hate, while love conquers all. No matter your stance or opinion, everyone is human and everyone deserves to feel welcomed in the world.

For further resources view the list on GLAAD’s Transgender Resources website here.