By Honey Mahogany–
What we thought would happen, what Project 2025 said would happen, and what Trump promised would happen is happening.
After spending years demonizing transgender people in right wing media; years introducing anti-trans bills that allowed politicians to talk endlessly about the alleged dangers that trans people posed in bathrooms and on sports teams; and after pouring almost a quarter of a billion dollars into anti-trans ads during his presidential campaign, newly re-elected President Donald Trump and his cadre of sycophants are delivering on their promises.
On Day 1 of his Presidency, Trump signed an executive order mandating that the federal government use sex in place of gender on all federal documents, and that, moving forward, the federal government only recognize two sexes: male and female. This change would undue the progress that both transgender and intersex people have made in fighting for recognition and greater understanding when it comes to sex and gender identity and diversity.
The executive order notably affects the ability for trans and intersex people to have passports that accurately represent them by banning the use of the “X” gender marker and preventing people from changing their gender markers in the future. Trump’s new Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already instructed his agency to freeze any applications requesting a gender marker change or an “X” gender marker.
Trump’s executive order “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” further removes anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals, enforces sex-segregation in intimate spaces like bathrooms and prisons, restricts gender-affirming healthcare for incarcerated individuals, and prohibits federal funding for “gender ideology.”
Even before Trump was officially president, House Republicans endeavored to distract the American public from the fact that they cared nothing for making their lives any easier by wasting their time and energy instituting a policy restricting the use of bathrooms in the House chamber and halls. The rule, requiring that trans people use the bathroom that aligns with their sex assigned at birth, was in response to the election of Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride, the first and only transgender woman in Congress.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, the most vocal advocate for this mean-spirited and potentially dangerous rule, claims she is trying to protect women. This, of course, ignores the fact that transgender and non-binary congressional staff and visitors have thus far been using these bathrooms without incident. The rule has already led to at least one instance of a cis-woman reportedly being confronted and accused of being trans in the bathroom in the House, and also spawned a sit-in and dance party protest in a bathroom by trans activists and their allies on Capitol Hill.
At the same time, META founder Mark Zuckerberg announced policy changes to META’s platforms including moving away from fact checking in favor of community notes, and redefining the rules around hate speech to allow for queer and transgender people to be referred to as mentally ill.
A week later, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 28, the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” rewriting Title IX protections in order to ban transgender women and girls from playing sports. Opponents of the bill noted that not only does this resolution deny opportunities to transgender girls, but it also puts all girls in danger of being harassed, abused, and potentially assaulted as it could lead to them being forced to endure invasive examinations.
As terrifying as it is to see all of this roll out so quickly, it’s important that we not panic and that we not lose hope. Lawyers and activists, nonprofit groups, and local and state governments have been preparing for the worst, and challenges are already being made to block the current administration’s extremist agenda, including the recent blocking of their attempt to end birthright citizenship.
Additionally, here in California, we have protections. The executive order does not impact trans people’s ability to get a state driver’s license with an “X” gender marker or change their gender on their license. LGBTQ champions in the State Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus like State Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Rick Zbur have both introduced legislation that would make all court documents related to transition confidential, helping shield trans people from being targeted, as well as a bill to increase access to gender affirming care, and more.
All of this news can be overwhelming, but there is hope. As we continue to see anti-trans legislation and policies roll out, and as we continue to fight them, it’s important to make sure that we take care of ourselves. There are resources that can help. For more information about local and national resources including mental health support, healthcare access, job-training, shelter, relocation support, and more, check out the Office of Transgender Initiatives updated Resource Page by visiting: https://www.sf.gov/transcitysf
Honey Mahogany, a San Francisco native with a Master’s in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, is a performer, small business owner, and activist. Her work has earned recognition from the City of San Francisco and various organizations. Mahogany co-founded the San Francisco Transgender District, is a founding queen of Drag Story Hour, co-owner of the Stud Bar, and a singer with nu-metal group Commando. She currently serves as Director of the Office of Trans Initiatives, Chair-Emerita of the San Francisco Democratic Party, and Delegate to the Democratic National Committee.
Trans Action – Leaders of the Emerging Resistance
Published on January 30, 2025
Recent Comments