Navigating the Crossfire: Trans Life in the Trump Era
Life Experiences of Trans Individuals under Trump Administration
Elijah Nicholas, a trans man, isn't concerned about his American passport just yet. It's valid until 2030. But the uncertainty after that period? Uncertainty about whether his gender will be correctly identified on his passport? That's another story.
Under current guidelines, the 55-year-old wouldn't receive a passport with a male gender marker. Instead, he'd get one reflecting the gender assigned at birth. It's a move the U.S. State Department made a while back, responding to an order from Trump himself. And there's no third gender option either.
Nicholas sees this as a deliberate attempt to delegitimize trans people like him. The risk of being targeted, discriminated against, or threatened at borders is real with this new regulation. And the mental health costs? Unpredictable and potentially catastrophic.
Research published in 2020 in the journal "The Lancet Public Health" paints a vivid picture. Adult trans people and non-binary individuals suffering from serious mental health issues, suicidal thoughts, and plans—these were less common among those whose identity documents matched their preferred name and gender marker.
This passport regulation is just one example of how the U.S. government has targeted trans people. Another is keeping them out of the military, a move the U.S. Department of Defense is currently pushing. Then there's Trump's decree in February, which could see trans people excluded from women's sports in public schools and universities. Non-compliance states could potentially lose federal funds.
According to Sharon Horne, a researcher focusing on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ individuals at the University of Massachusetts Boston, political pressure to restrict trans rights leads to increased depression and anxiety among LGBTQIA+ individuals. Trans people are particularly affected.
WorldPride Amidst Fear and Uncertainty
Many LGBTQIA+ individuals in the USA are living under a "space of fear and uncertainty." This year, Washington, D.C., faces a unique challenge—hosting WorldPride while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Pride event in the city.
Rainbow symbols adorn the city, from flags on lamp posts to street art marking bike lanes. But what does it mean to celebrate Pride in such a climate? Nicholas isn't shy in answering: "Resistance."
Nicholas lives in Georgia, where he's an actor, author, and trans activist. He's in Washington now for a different reason—to help organize the National March for the Visibility of Trans People. It's a partner event of WorldPride and will take place on the last day of the festival, the day after the grand WorldPride parade.
"The safety of march participants is our top priority," Nicholas stresses. They're working closely with WorldPride to ensure it. Before the march, there'll be a separate rally. Nicholas expects thousands from across the country to attend. Then, they'll march as one, ending at a central closing event of WorldPride on the National Mall.
"We're here to show Washington, D.C., and the world that trans people cannot and will not be erased," says Nicholas, his expectation as compelling as it is existential.
Sources: ntv.de, Franziska Spiecker, dpa
- Donald Trump
- Transgender
- Discrimination
- USA
- LGBTQIA+
Enrichment Data:
Donald Trump's policies have had significant impacts on the rights and well-being of transgender individuals in the USA. Some of the key policies and their effects include:
- Passport Policy Changes: Trump issued an executive order that suspended the State Department's policy allowing transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people to update their passport sex designations. This led to withholding passports from some applicants and issuing incorrect sex designations on others.
- Trans Military Ban: Trump signed an executive order to remove all transgender people from serving in the military, impacting tens of thousands of active-duty personnel.
- Recognition of Sexes: Trump directed the federal government to recognize only male and female sexes, further erasing the existence of transgender individuals in public life.
- Bans on Gender-Affirming Care: Bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth have been supported by the political climate fostered during Trump's administration, leading to significant geographic and financial barriers for accessing necessary medical treatments. Since 2021, 25 states have enacted bans on such care.
These policies have contributed to increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors among transgender youth, created significant healthcare challenges, and contributed to social and economic marginalization of transgender individuals.
- The passport regulation and other policies under Donald Trump's administration, such as the trans military ban and the recognition of only male and female sexes, have had detrimental effects on the mental health and well-being of transgender individuals in the USA.
- Research, like that published in "The Lancet Public Health" in 2020, suggests that increased political pressure to restrict trans rights contributes to higher levels of depression and anxiety among LGBTQIA+ individuals, with trans people being particularly susceptible to these effects.
- Trump's policies have not only led to physical and mental health challenges for transgender individuals but have also threatened their employment opportunities and community recognition. For instance, Elijah Nicholas, a trans man, faces uncertainty regarding his passport, which could potentially bar him from employment or travel opportunities due to discrimination or targeting.
