ADAPT Statement Against the Trump Administration’s Anti-Trans Discrimination Plans
In another attack on marginalized communities, reputable news organizations and publications, such as Rolling Stone, are now reporting that the Trump Administration plans to redefine gender according to sexual assignment at birth. This would effectively remove the option of any gender beyond male or female, erasing trans, intersex, Two Spirit, and otherwise gender nonconforming people and identities. From the beginning of his time in office, Donald Trump has already rolled back Obama-era protections for trans, intersex, Two Spirit, and gender nonconforming folks in education and has tried to exclude trans individuals from service in the military. However, this attack goes even further, aiming to eliminate the entire existence of transgender, intersex, Two Spirit, and gender nonconforming persons.
Redefining gender leads to a slew of potential problems including the denial of the most basic civil rights and protections for all transgender, intersex, Two Spirit, and gender non-conforming citizens living in the United States. ADAPT has been working to improve the civil rights and liberties of disabled individuals for over 40 years. This includes the rights of our LGBTQIA disabled siblings who remain an active part of the fight and community. ADAPT continues to speak up and represent the interests of all disabled people, including those who exist at intersections of marginalization, such as those who are disabled, POC/Black, and transgender, intersex, Two Spirit, or other non conforming genders.
While the Trump Administration wants to create a new era of hatred and discrimination with this and other laws restricting civil rights, ADAPT is firmly against everything this Administration says, does, and represents. Transphobia and other forms of intersectional bias and discrimination, when accepted, hurt not only those in the general community, but lead to violence in hospitals, nursing homes, and settings of community living. ADAPT will not sit back and ignore the blatantly obvious dangers that this type of law would bring upon members of our community. We are in solidarity with our trans, intersex, Two Spirit, and gender nonconforming members, siblings, and allies.
How do you spell power? A – D – A – P – T.