National
National news in brief
Palin Tweets, New Mexico considers marriage recognition and more
Palin’s re-Tweet sparks speculation about LGBT views
WASHINGTON — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has inspired speculation about her stand on gay issues and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” since she re-Tweeted a post from a gay talk radio host criticizing opponents of the repeal of the anti-gay policy, several media outlets reported this week.
At issue is a Tweet posted early Tuesday by Tammy Bruce, a conservative talk radio host that said, “But this hypocrisy is just truly too much. Enuf already — the more someone complains about the homos the more we should look under their bed.” Palin, who uses Twitter often to send out announcements and commentary to her 350,000 followers, posted Bruce’s comment on her own account but didn’t elaborate. She hadn’t commented on it publicly as of Blade press time Wednesday.
Bruce’s comment referred to a Navy captain who was relieved of his command for making a series of lewd videos that were shown to those serving under him on the USS Enterprise.
Palin’s opinions of gay issues have been unclear at times. She told Fox News last year that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” wasn’t a pressing issue and that the military had more pressing matters to deal with. But she didn’t say she disapproved of repeal either.
In other gay matters, Palin opted not to veto partner benefits legislation when she was governor of Alaska, but has repeatedly said that marriage should be reserved for opposite-sex couples.
N.C. commissioner calls gays ‘sexual predators’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina county commissioner last week said that gays are “sexual predators,” according to reports from NPR, MSNBC and other media outlets.
The comment came from an e-mail Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James sent to board chair Jennifer Roberts. She wanted to send a letter on board stationary congratulating Sen. Richard Burr on his vote to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” James replied saying that not every homosexual is a predator but as a group, they are.
His comments, which received national attention, inspired a resolution from the commission that calls for tolerance, inclusion and civility. James voted for it but did not apologize for his earlier e-mail. He said he didn’t think the resolution would have much impact but said it was a nice gesture he could support because he believes in kindness.
Some of his fellow board members said his remarks are “beyond reproach” and “out of line.”
Minnesota town passes pro-gay ordinance
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — The St. Louis Park City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday that will allow domestic partners — opposite- and same-sex — to register their partnerships with the city.
The ordinance won’t supersede any state or federal laws nor will it grant couples any new legal rights. The state of Minnesota doesn’t recognize gay marriage, but proponents tout it as a step in the right direction.
The ordinance will go in effect in February if it passes a formal second reading in two weeks, which is expected to easily pass.
Registration will ensure domestic partners the same family rates and benefits at city events and at area businesses. Another Minnesota town, Rochester, passed a similar ordinance.
N.M. official says gay marriages should be recognized
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico’s attorney general this week issued an opinion stating that same-sex marriages from other states would be legal in his state. He came to that conclusion after an in-depth legal analysis, the New Mexico Independent reported.
“While we cannot predict how a New Mexico court would rule on this issue, after review of the law in this area, it is our opinion that a same-sex marriage that is valid under the laws of the country or state where it was consummated would likewise be found valid in New Mexico,” Attorney General Gary King wrote.
While 40 states explicitly bar same-sex marriage, King says that New Mexico’s law does “not explicitly address the recognition of same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions,” according to the release announcing the opinion.
Senate confirms lesbian for Employment Commission
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has confirmed a lesbian for a full term as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Chai Feldblum had been blocked previously by Republican senators but President Obama used a recess appointment to make her temporarily a commissioner last March. That temporary appointment would have expired at the end of 2011 but Feldblum will now serve through July 2013.
Prior to her recess appointment, Feldblum served as a professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center. Throughout her career, she has worked to enact protections for some of the most stigmatized populations in America. As legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union in the 1980s, she worked to secure legal protections for people with AIDS at a time when the disease was vilified and poorly understood. Feldblum also played a leading role in the drafting and negotiation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The Commission was established as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Its mission is to promote equality of opportunity in the workplace and enforce federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
Anti-gay group may end CPAC sponsorship
COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado-based Focus on the Family is considering ending its sponsorship of a national conservative political action rally because of the involvement of a gay conservative group, the Associated Press and several media outlets reported.
The lobbying arm of Focus on Family, CitizenLink, is a co-sponsor of the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington next month.
CitizenLink senior vice president Tom Minnery told the Gazette that the group is participating partly to help offset the influence of the gay group, GOProud. But he says this may be the last year it’s a sponsor, the AP reported.
Sarah Palin and Mike Hucakbee are among those scheduled to speak at the conference.
Report focuses on suicide, risk among LGBT people
MIAMI — An expert panel of 26 leading researchers, clinicians, educators and policy experts have released a comprehensive report on the prevalence and underlying causes of suicidal behavior in LGBT adolescents and adults. The report was published online this week.
Titled “Suicide and Suicide Risk in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Populations: Review and Recommendations,” the report makes sweeping recommendations for closing knowledge gaps in what is known and not known about LGBT suicide behaviors and calls for making LGBT suicide prevention a national priority. This is especially timely in light of multiple suicide deaths among LGBT youth in recent months.
Despite four decades of research pointing to elevated rates of suicide attempts among LGBT people, national suicide prevention initiatives, including the 2001 U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, have given scant attention to suicide risk in sexual minority persons.
“With this report and recommendations, we hope to move LGBT suicide prevention squarely onto the national agenda and provide a framework for actions aimed at reducing suicidal behavior in these populations,” said Ann Haas, lead author and director of prevention projects for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The report found strong evidence of significantly higher suicide rates for gays of all ages compared to their straight counterparts and that increased depression and substance abuse problems among sexual minorities do not account for the higher rates but stigma and discrimination play “key roles.”
Most NOM money came from a few donors
WASHINGTON — The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has released a partial version of its 2009 tax return, which shows that most of the more than $7 million it received that year came from a small number of large donors, NOM Exposed (which Human Rights Campaign sponsors) reported this week.
According to the report, three wealthy donors contributed 68 percent of the organization’s donations. The top five donors accounted for 75 percent of contributions. The donors were not identified and could be individuals or corporations.
The sites pointed out that NOM doesn’t represent a grassroots constituency but a small group of wealthy anti-gay supporters. NOM had kept its returns private until HRC reps visited their D.C. office twice in person.
National
National resources for trans and gender diverse communities
Amid attacks, help is available from wide range of organizations
The Trump administration has launched a series of executive orders and other initiatives restricting the rights of the transgender community since taking power in January, targeting military service, affirming healthcare, and participation in sports.
Though many executive orders are being challenged in court, it’s an uncertain time for a community that feels threatened. Despite the uncertainty, there are resources out there to help.
From legal assistance to mental health support, here’s a list of nonprofits and organizations dedicated to improving the everyday livelihood of trans and gender diverse people. These are mostly national organizations; there are many additional groups that work in local communities across the country. Some of these national groups will connect those in need of help to a local organization.
LEGAL HELP
President Trump issued an executive order declaring there are only two genders –– male and female –– which applies to legal documents and passports. The order doesn’t recognize the idea that one can transition their gender at birth to another gender.
Ash Lazarus Orr filed to renew his passport with a gender marker reflecting his identity. That was in January, and he still hasn’t received it. He refused to accept a passport without an accurate identification of who he is, so he filed a lawsuit with the ACLU in what is now known as Orr v. Trump.
Orr told the Washington Blade that not receiving his passport back has taken away his freedom of visiting family in Canada and receiving gender-affirming care from a trusted provider in Ireland.
The one thing getting him through this uncertain time is knowing who he’s fighting for –– the trans community, his loved ones, and himself.
“I’m trying to be that person that those younger parts of me needed growing up,” Orr said. Check out a couple of legal support organizations below:
Transgender Law Center
The Transgender Law Center (TLC) provides legal resources and assistance. TLC has a list –– called the Attorney Solidarity Network –– of attorneys that can provide advice or representation for trans people.
The organization also has a legal information help desk that answers questions regarding laws or policies impacting trans people.
Website: transgenderlawcenter.org
Phone: 510-587-9696
Email: info@transgenderlawcenter.org
Advocates For Trans Equality
With a variety of different programs tailored toward legal assistance and advocacy work, Advocates For Trans Equality’s reach is wide.
The non-profit offers the Name Change Project, which provides pro bono legal name change services to low-income trans, gender-non-conforming and nonbinary people by utilizing its partnerships with law firms and corporate law departments.
Advocates For Trans Equality also has departments and programs dedicated to increasing voter engagement, educating lawmakers on trans issues and offering litigation assistance to a small number of cases.
Website: transequality.org
Phone: 202-642-4542
General email: a4te@transequality.org
To contact a specific department or program, visit its website above.
ADVOCACY
Looking to take action and get involved? Act now.
American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU is a national nonprofit organization that mobilizes local communities and advocates for national causes.
Getting involved is as easy as filling out letters to representatives or signing petitions. One live petition is to “defend trans freedom.”
You can also join its People Power platform, where you serve as a volunteer in your community to “advance civil liberties and civil rights for all.” ACLU has different chapters across the country, so visit its website for more information.
Website: aclu.org
Phone: 212-549-2500
MILITARY AND VETERANS
Trump signed an executive order in January banning transgender service members from serving, stating their identity “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.”
Though the order has been legally challenged and struck down by a judge, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Rae Timberlake said it’s created an uncertain atmosphere for themself and other troops.
“All of the transgender service members I know have served with honor and integrity for many years…[and we’re] targeted for removal and not subject to any kind of review based on merit,” Timberlake, who joined the Navy at age 17, said. “There’s kind of just this cloud looming over our organizations and our units, because we know any day our transgender shipmates could no longer be on the team.”
But Timberlake’s message to any service member struggling because of the executive order was one of compassion and truth: “There’s no policy that can take away what you’ve accomplished and what you’ve done.”
Here are some organizations that support service members and veterans:
SPARTA Pride
SPARTA is a peer-support group composed of active duty, veteran and “future warrior” service members.
The group also engages in advocacy work and has helped change policies on gender neutral uniforms and reducing the time a trans service member would have to wait to return to their duties during their transition.
Contact SPARTA to learn more about joining its support network.
Website: spartapride.org
Email: inquiries@spartapride.org
Modern Military Association
Modern Military supports service members and veterans through advocacy, legal assistance and mental health support.
It tracks LGBTQ+ and HIV discrimination through reports made on its website, and offers guidance and advice to whoever submitted the report.
It also supports the mental health of LGBTQ+ veterans and their families through its Resilient Heroes Program. By signing up, you’ll receive virtual peer support and case management services with a mental health coordinator.
Website: modernmilitary.org
Phone: 202-328-3244
Email: info@modernmilitary.org
CRISIS & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
If you have a more urgent matter, or just need someone to listen, here are some organizations you can reach out to:
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project offers 24/7 counseling services. Calling, texting or chatting is free and confidential, and you’ll get to speak with someone specialized in supporting LGBTQ youth.
The organization also focuses on public education by hosting online LGBTQ suicide prevention trainings. It advocates for policies and laws that contribute to supporting queer youth.
Website: thetrevorproject.org
Crisis hotline: 1-866-488-7386
General inquiry phone number: 212-695-8650
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a hotline run and operated by trans people. Whether you’re questioning if you’re trans or are a trans person just wanting to talk, someone will be there to help. It’s free and confidential, and there won’t be any non-consensual active rescue, such as calling the emergency services.
The line is not 24/7, however. Check out its website for hours within your time zone.
Website: translifeline.org
Phone: 877-565-8860
Here are other organizations that offer support to the trans community:
TransFamilies (support): Support for families with a gender diverse child.
TransLatina Coalition (advocacy): Advocates for the specific needs of the transgender, gender expansive and intersex communities in the U.S.
TransAthlete (information): Provides informative resources about trans athletes.
Campaign for Southern Equality’s Trans Youth Emergency Project (healthcare support): A fund to help trans youth access lifesaving healthcare.
TransTech Social (economic empowerment): Dedicated to discovering and empowering the career-ready skills of LGBTQ+ people.
World Professional Association For Transgender Health (health): Resources, symposiums and research dedicated to improving transgender health.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project (legal): Legal programs and services for marginalized communities.
Gender Spectrum (support): Resources and support groups for trans youth and families.
The Okra Project (support): Creates and supports initiatives that provide resources for the Black Trans community.
The White House
White House does not ‘respond’ to reporters’ requests with pronouns included
Government workers were ordered not to self-identify their gender in emails
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and a senior advisor in the Department of Government Efficiency rejected requests from reporters who included their pronouns in the signature box of their emails, each telling different reporters at the New York Times that “as a matter of policy,” the Trump-Vance administration will decline to engage with members of the press on these grounds.
News of the correspondence between the journalists and the two senior officials was reported Tuesday by the Times, which also specified that when reached for comment, the White House declined to “directly say if their responses to the journalists represented a new formal policy of the White House press office, or when the practice had started.”
“Any reporter who chooses to put their preferred pronouns in their bio clearly does not care about biological reality or truth and therefore cannot be trusted to write an honest story,” Leavitt told the Times.
Department of Government Efficiency Senior Advisor Katie Miller responded, “I don’t respond to people who use pronouns in their signatures as it shows they ignore scientific realities and therefore ignore facts.”
Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, wrote in an email to the paper: “If The New York Times spent the same amount of time actually reporting the truth as they do being obsessed with pronouns, maybe they would be a half-decent publication.”
A reporter from Crooked media who got an email similar to those received by the Times reporters said, “I find it baffling that they care more about pronouns than giving journalists accurate information, but here we are.”
The practice of adding pronouns to asocial media bios or the signature box of outgoing emails has been a major sticking point for President Donald Trump’s second administration since Inauguration Day.
On day one, the White House issued an executive order stipulating that the federal government recognizes gender as a binary that is immutably linked to one’s birth sex, a definition excludes the existence of intersex and transgender individuals, notwithstanding the biological realities that natal sex characteristics do not always cleave neatly into male or female, nor do they always align with one’s gender identity .
On these grounds, the president issued another order that included a directive to the entire federal government workforce through the Office of Personnel Management: No pronouns in their emails.
As it became more commonplace in recent years to see emails with “she/her” or “he/him” next to the sender’s name, title, and organization, conservatives politicians and media figures often decried the trend as an effort to shoehorn woke ideas about gender (ideas they believe to be unscientific), or a workplace accommodation made only for the benefit of transgender people, or virtue-signaling on behalf of the LGBTQ left.
There are, however, any number of alternative explanations for why the practice caught on. For example, a cisgender woman may have a gender neutral name like Jordan and want to include “she/her” to avoid confusion.
A spokesman for the Times said: “Evading tough questions certainly runs counter to transparent engagement with free and independent press reporting. But refusing to answer a straightforward request to explain the administration’s policies because of the formatting of an email signature is both a concerning and baffling choice, especially from the highest press office in the U.S. government.”
U.S. Military/Pentagon
Air Force rescinds rule barring inclusion of preferred pronouns in email signatures
Conflict with language in military funding package may explain reversal
The U.S. Air Force has issued a “directive to cease the use of ‘preferred pronouns’ (he/him, she/her, or they/them) to identify one’s gender identity in professional communications,” according to a report published in the Hill on Wednesday.
The rule, which applies to both airmen and civilian employees, was first adopted on Feb. 4 pursuant to President Donald Trump’s anti-transgender executive order called, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”
Days after the administration’s issuance of that order on the first day of the president’s second term, the Office of Personnel Management instructed agencies across the whole of the federal government to remove pronouns from email signatures and enforce the policy barring employees from using them.
Additionally, on Jan. 27 Trump published an order barring trans people from joining the U.S. Armed Forces, indicating that those who are currently in serving would be separated from the military. The Pentagon is fending off legal challenges to the ban in federal courts.
Particularly given the extent of the new administration’s efforts to restrict the rights of trans Americans and push them out of public life, the Air Force’s reversal of the pronoun guidance was surprising.
According to reporting in Military.com, the move might have come because officials concluded the rule was in conflict with language in the military appropriations funding legislation passed by Congress in 2023.
The NDAA established that the defense secretary “may not require or prohibit a member of the armed forces or a civilian employee of the Department of Defense to identify the gender or personal pronouns of such member or employee in any official correspondence of the Department.”
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