Transgender People’s Existence Is Not up for Debate

Earlier this week, the New York Times article reported on a leaked memo indicating that the Trump Administration is strongly considering redefining gender as either male or female, reflecting the sex listed on someone’s original birth certificate. This insidious and transphobic memo seeks to cause confusion, erase trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people from federal law, and will cause harm if adopted.

What we want you to know:

• Policies cannot erase trans people’s identity and experience. The proposed memo goes against modern science and much of the medical community that embraces trans communities. An estimated 1.4 million people identify as transgender, and they have been resisting and fighting for a long time.
• The memo is part of a long history of state-sanctioned violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people. The Trump Administration has been working to repeal important protections for students and has repeatedly tried to implement a transgender military ban.
• We can stand up to transphobic policies and practices in our communities today and show support for trans people. It’s vital that we not only protect trans people’s existing rights, but work to expand them.

Trans people’s existence is not up for debate. Trans people exist, have existed, and will always exist. Howard Brown Health will continue to fight for the health and well-being of trans people. We see more than 5,500 transgender and gender nonconforming people each year, and we are committed to reducing barriers for them. From the first appointment to support groups, surgery navigation, and document support, our teams are here to assist TGNC people in navigating medical and legal systems. All trans people are worthy of respect, equal rights, and affirming care.