October 2018 ESAGEMatters: SAGE Condemns Trump Admin, NYC Mayor Signs Gender Bill, and More News
SAGE condemns Trump administration plans to erase transgender people
The New York Times reported this week that the Trump administration is considering a drastic move to strip away the rights of transgender people by creating an extremely narrow federal definition of gender. The proposed change would narrowly define gender as male or female, unchangeable, and determined by the genitals that a person is born with, which would eliminate anti-discrimination protections for transgender people.
Such a decision to eliminate anti-discrimination protections would have a devastating impact on transgender elders, who already face numerous barriers to health care, housing, and fair treatment under the law, according to “Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults,” issued by SAGE and the National Center for Transgender Equality. Rolling back these safeguards could put the lives of transgender elders in jeopardy by enabling health insurers, hospitals, clinics, and any other entities that receive federal funds to deny essential care.
SAGE’s CEO Michael Adams said: “We are outraged by this senseless, bigoted attack on transgender Americans. This latest move by the Trump administration is an affront to core principles of fairness and would fall hardest on transgender people who are old, young, people of color, and most at the margins.” This heartless attack is the latest in a string of efforts by this administration to erase and silence transgender people. As we have in the past, SAGE will vigorously fight this proposal until we succeed.” Read the full statement.
Local LGBTQ+ protections crucial as the federal government continues to support anti-LGBTQ+ policies
While the federal government attempts to erase transgender people, municipalities like New York and Washington, D.C. are taking up the mantle of protection. In a significant step forward for transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary New Yorkers, on October 11, at the Edie Windsor SAGE Center, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio signed groundbreaking legislation to add a third gender option on birth certificates. Many transgender advocates and allies attended this watershed bill signing, including New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray, and actor and activist Asia Kate Dillon. Watch the bill signing and read SAGE’s press release on the event.
While modeled after pieces of state legislation in Massachusetts and California, this legislation would go a step further in establishing a cultural competency training requirement and a bill of rights for LGBTQ+ elders and people living with HIV in long-term care. If passed, it would make D.C. the first jurisdiction in the nation to provide these supports and protections. Read SAGE’s comments on Councilmember Cheh’s bill.
Mark your calendars!
- SAGE Table | November 8, 2018 | Nationwide
- Toys Party | December 9, 2018 | Chelsea Piers, New York, NY
