The past week has been another tumultuous one for trans rights. From the halls of Westminster to the streets of Washington, here’s a look at the key developments shaping the ‘trans agenda‘.
UK & Ireland: The Cass review under fire
The Cass Review, the dangerous and politicised report that has heavily influenced UK policy on transgender healthcare, faced renewed criticism last week. During a session of the Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC) on Wednesday, experts lambasted the review for its flawed methodology and ideological underpinnings.
Professor Simona Giordano, a leading bioethicist, accused the review of asking irrelevant questions, excluding valid studies, and setting unrealistic standards for clinical trials. She argued that restricting puberty blockers to clinical trials violates ethical guidelines under the Helsinki Declaration, emphasising that such decisions should be guided by patient autonomy, not political agendas.
Despite the damning testimonies, much of the UK media remained silent, with only one outlet covering the hearing by Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, a tribunal ruling allows a nurse, Sandie Peggie, to refer to doctor Dr. Beth Upton as a man during legal proceedings. The decision, described as “another example of institutionalised transphobia” by critics, highlights the systemic challenges faced by trans people in the UK, even within professional settings where it should be reasonable to expect to be protected.
US: Trump’s assault on trans rights
In the United States, the return of Donald Trump to the White House has ushered in a wave of anti-trans policies. Trump signed an executive order mandating that transgender women in federal prisons be housed in men’s facilities, reversing previous guidelines that allowed housing based on gender identity. The order also halts federally funded gender-affirming care, a move that has drawn condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocates and human rights organisations.
The Trump administration’s focus on trans issues extends beyond prisons. The GOP-led House passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which bars transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports. Cis critics argue that the legislation, which affects fewer than 10 transgender athletes in NCAA sports, is a distraction from pressing economic issues like housing and inflation.
Meanwhile, Lauren Boebert, the anti-trans Republican congresswoman, mistakenly attempted to have a cisgender woman removed from a women’s restroom in the US Capitol, believing her to be Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress.
While the UK and US grapple with institutionalised transphobia, other nations are making strides toward equality. In Canada, refugee advocacy groups are urging the government to amend the Safe Third Country Agreement to allow transgender asylum seekers fleeing the US to seek refuge in Canada.
In Australia, the Lesbian Action Group (LAG) was denied the right to exclude transgender and bisexual women from its public events. The ruling, which upheld the Sex Discrimination Act, was celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocates as a victory for inclusivity.
Meanwhile, Thailand made history as the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Over 1,800 couples registered their unions in a nationwide celebration, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in the region.
Karla Sofía Gascón became the first openly transgender actress to receive an Oscar nomination, recognised for her role in Emilia Pérez.
The Irish Daily Mirror, not usually a paper that gets involved in anti-trans nonsense, published a column that voiced support for Trump’s anti-trans policies and called for segregated sports competitions for transgender athletes. You can see a full review of last week’s papers here.
Back in the UK, the Data (Use and Access) Bill threatens to expose trans people to discrimination by mandating the disclosure of gender histories to digital verification services. Advocates are calling on MPs to reject the amendments and prioritise privacy and dignity.
You can read more about all these stories here.