FOR the United States, transgender rights are human rights. Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, while marking the Transgender Day, said transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming persons around the world should be commended for their resilience.
“We recognize their bravery in their hard-fought work for equality, inclusion, and the full recognition of their human rights, which continues to this day,”he said.
He added that more work remains to ensure that all transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming persons “are able to live authentically, safely, and with dignity”. This work, he said, includes ensuring that all persons are able to secure identity documents that fully reflect who they are.
On behalf of the United States, Blinken called on its partners around the globe to join in fighting for a world in which everyone can live safely and openly as themselves.
To cement the place of the transgender, America has taken a couple of daring steps. Of course, there are states that have advanced hundreds of anti-transgender laws this year.
The Biden Administration last week announced additional steps to support transgender Americans. It issued a landmark report on ways to support and affirm LGBTQI+ youth, especially transgender youth. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new report, which provides the latest scientific research on supporting the mental health of LGBTQI+ youth.
“With the release of today’s report, SAMHSA is providing new resources to parents, teachers, and mental health providers to help them use evidence-based practices to affirm and support transgender and LGBTQI+ youth and their families,” said the White House.
The report, according to the White House, finds that scientific evidence affirms that a transgender or LGBTQI+ child’s identity is vital to protecting their mental health.
The White, in a factsheet, explained that: “When transgender children have access to affirming environments, at home and at school, that are free from discrimination, rejection, and bullying, they are resilient and can thrive. When transgender children can access gender-affirming care – which includes counseling and mental health supports – their wellbeing improves.
“In spite of the overwhelming scientific evidence that affirming an LGBTQI+ child is in their best interest, LGBTQI+ children – especially transgender children – face a nationwide mental health crisis because of the harassment, rejection, bullying, and discrimination they face. LGBTQI+ youth are at significantly increased risk of suicide when they face rejection and trauma.”
The factsheet observed that “state-level policies that stigmatize transgender children, for example by denying them access to medically necessary health care or banning schools from using LGBTQI+ inclusive curriculum, contribute to worse mental health outcomes for children and put them at increased risk of bullying and attempted suicide.
There is a clear consensus view among mental health experts that attempts to suppress or change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity – often referred to as so-called ‘conversion therapy’ – are harmful, not supported by credible evidence, and should never be practiced”.
The Office of Personnel Management has also released an update to guidance on gender inclusion in the federal workplace.
This is to help ensure agencies “fully follow existing federal policies and antidiscrimination laws, and to help agencies adopt inclusive practices to foster a welcoming and supportive workplace for applicants and employees of all gender identities across the Federal government”.
The administration is standing up for transgender kids and their families by signing a historic Executive Order to advance equality for LGBTQI+ people, especially children and families.
“President Biden signed a historic Executive Order on Advancing Equality LGBTQI+ Individuals, establishing that it is the Administration’s policy to defend the rights and safety of LGBTQI+ individuals. In the Executive Order, the President directs relevant agencies to: address the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy”; end disparities that LGBTQI+ children and parents face in the child welfare and foster care system; ensure that federal benefits programs are equitably accessible to LGBTQI+ households; address the overrepresentation of LGBTQI+ youth and households among those experiencing homelessness; and increase federal support for programs that offer family counseling and support to reduce the risk of family rejection of LGBTQI+ youth.
“Intervening legally when states violate the rights of transgender youth and their families. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed multiple statements of interest and amicus briefs supporting litigation against state laws that restrict the rights of transgender youth. For example, DOJ is challenging an Alabama law that denies necessary medical care to transgender youth based solely on who they are. DOJ also filed statements of interest in support of litigation challenging laws in Arkansas and West Virginia that ban transgender children from accessing necessary health care and playing on sports teams, respectively, as unlawful. DOJ also filed amicus briefs supporting the rights of transgender individuals in federal courts of appeals cases involving matters in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and Indiana. In addition, DOJ reaffirmed that transgender youth in all states have federal constitutional and statutory protections, including in access to gender-affirming health care.
Expanding mental health resources for transgender youth. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) launched a pilot program to add dedicated services for LGBTQI+ youth to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the nationwide suicide prevention and crisis hotline. The pilot helps LGBTQI+ youth, including transgender youth, experiencing a behavioral health crisis to connect with a counselor specifically focused on meeting the needs of LGBTQI+ youth and young adults,” said the factsheet.
The White House, in response to a state launching child abuse investigations into the families of transgender children, President Joe Biden condemned these investigations.
“In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services released guidance to state child welfare agencies through an Information Memorandum. This memorandum makes clear that states cannot weaponize their child welfare systems against loving families, and should instead use their child welfare systems to advance safety and support for LGBTQI+ youth, which importantly can include access to gender-affirming care. Finally, HHS worked with partners to launch a web portal of resources for child welfare personnel to support families of children who identify as LGBTQI+,” said the White House.
To support transgender students in schools, President Biden signed an Executive Order recommitting to abide by federal laws that “guarantee educational environments free from sex discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity”.
Within hours of taking office, Biden signed an Executive Order to combat discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals.
“As a result of that Executive Order, federal agencies committed to enforcing civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ Americans in federally funded housing, health care, education, employment, credit and lending, nutrition, and criminal justice programs.
Signing the Respect for Marriage Act. President Biden championed and signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law, requiring that same-sex and interracial marriages be recognized as legal in every state in the nation.
“Fighting for passage of the Equality Act. President Biden continues to call on Congress to pass the Equality Act, legislation which will confirm long overdue explicit federal civil rights protections to LGBTQI+ Americans and their families.”
Now, transgender Americans can access accurate IDs and vital government services.
“Offering U.S. passports with a gender-neutral marker. U.S. citizens can now select an “X” as their gender marker on U.S. passports, providing accurate identification for all Americans regardless of their gender identity, and supporting transgender and non-binary Americans who live in states with restrictive ID laws.
“Improving the travel experience for transgender people. The Department of Homeland Security implemented several important reforms to improve safety, privacy, and dignity for transgender travelers in U.S. airports,” added the factsheet.
