trends in social attitude
Diversity in sexuality and gender identity have existed since the dawn of civilization. Archeologists have even unearthed a 5,000 year old skeleton believed to have been the remains of a transgender individual (Green, 2011). Although nonbinary identities are just getting exposure under the trans umbrella in Western society, alternative genders have long been recognized in Eastern society, First Nations culture and Maoli culture before Europeons attempted to eradicate to Native American and Native Hawaiian cultures. A cursory examination of gender in these locations includes the legally recognized “third gender” of India, also the Hijra individuals, kathoey individuals in Thailand, two-spirit individuals in Native American culture, the Māhū people of Hawaii (trans people who identify as being in the middle), etc (Claudio, 2015a). There are even six terms for gender (zachar, nekevah, androgynos, tumtum, ay'lonit, and saris) in classical Jewish texts (Kukla, 2006). The list is endless but demonstrates the futility of a gender binary identification system (Claudio, 2015a). PBS (2011) has even put together an interactive map of gender expansive cultures:
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However, most of Western society, including the United States has consistently held prejudiced attitudes and beliefs about the LGBTQIA community. This goes right up into the 20th century. Even after the gays rights movement, gays had to battle the stigma of "gay related immune deficency," which came to be known as AIDS in the 80s.
Even though social acceptance for gays and lesbians was on the rise, support for gay rights was lacking entirely. Thus, "advances" such as DADT were passed alongside DOMA under the Clinton Administration. At a time when public support for gay marriage was only at 27% (PEW Research Center, 2013).
Despite that LGBTQ individuals appeared in media and television, making strides in visibility from the late 90s to the early millennium. Currently, gay rights have made sweeping progress but transgender rights are just coming to the forefront of public consciousness. PEW (2013) surveys demonstrate that there a consensus among the LGBTQ community that social acceptance is hugely favorbale today, as opposed to 10 years ago and will likely be even more accepting 10 years from now.
Even though social acceptance for gays and lesbians was on the rise, support for gay rights was lacking entirely. Thus, "advances" such as DADT were passed alongside DOMA under the Clinton Administration. At a time when public support for gay marriage was only at 27% (PEW Research Center, 2013).
Despite that LGBTQ individuals appeared in media and television, making strides in visibility from the late 90s to the early millennium. Currently, gay rights have made sweeping progress but transgender rights are just coming to the forefront of public consciousness. PEW (2013) surveys demonstrate that there a consensus among the LGBTQ community that social acceptance is hugely favorbale today, as opposed to 10 years ago and will likely be even more accepting 10 years from now.
Historical oppressionS
The Lavender Scare, 1950s/1960s
During the Cold War Era, the Red Scare was led by Senator Joseph McCarthy who also used it to ignite the Lavender Scare. McCarthy alleged that homosexuals were more dangerous than infiltrating communists because they were susceptible to blackmail, which led to invasive investigations and the circulation of a Senate report called, "Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government."
This also resulted in Eisenhower signing Executive Order 10450 in 1953, which officially made it government policy to hunt down and fire gays. The ban remained in effect through the 80s. (Out, 2015) DADT-Don't Ask, Don't Tell, 1993
The official service policy implemented by the Clinton administration which prohibited military personal from discriminating against closeted gay or bisexual members but still barred openly gay people from enlisting. This forced service members further into the closet and specified that anyone who disclosed or engaged in homosexual activity would be discharged.
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The Homosexual Pathology
The original DSM from 1952 listed homosexuality as a "sociopathic personality disorder." Then, in 1968 homosexuality was classified as a "sexual deviancy." It was not until 1973, that homosexuality was removed from the DSM. However, the DSM-II still retained "ego-dystonic homosexuality", a subset marked by an individual's distress about their own sexual orientation (read: internalized homophobia), which allowed for covertly homophobic psychiatrists to still treat homosexuality as a disorder. Only in 1987 was "ego-dystonic homosexuality removed." (Latham, 2011) Conversion Therapy Conversion therapy, formerly known as reparative therapy sought to change the orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ individuals. Typically averse stimuli, such as physical or psychological harm, are used to correct variant behaviors. Today, many professional organizations including the APA condemn conversion therapy and study refute the success any such therapy. In 2015, the Obama administration called for an end to conversion therapy in response to a petition to enact Leelah's Law. DOMA-Defense of Marriage Act, 1996 On September 21, 1996 President Bill Clinton sign DOMA into law, explicitly defining marriage as between a man and a woman. This denied federal marriage benefits, such as social security benefits, spousal benefit, disability, and medical decision making authority, to same-sex couples, even in states with existing marriage equality. DOMA also gave states further basis to withhold the right to marriage to same-sex couples.
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Stonewall Riots, June 28, 1969
The Stonewall Riots were the violent backlash of continued raids by police in gay bars across New York in the 1960s. At the time, New York had the highest gay population in the nation and aggressively enforced anti-sodomy laws through the use of police vice squads who raided gay bars and bathhouses or went undercover to entrap gays (PBS, 2011). As a result, by 1966 over 100 men a week were arrested (PBS, 2011).
At 1 AM, police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich but patrons resisted arrest and the incident escalated into a full blown riot, causing police to barricade themselves in the Inn as a crowd formed outside (PBS, 2011). Many of the participants, were actually LGBTQ people of color and a greater portion of them were transwomen already involved in activism. The Stonewall Riots turned into three week riot and six day demonstration that sparks the gay rights movement (PBS, 2011). |
advancements
Repeal of DADT
In December 2010, Congress passed the DADT Repeal Act, laying out the process to lift the ban. It was not until September of 2011, that the ban was fully lifted. However, the continued service policy still excluded and dismissed transgender individuals as unfit to serve and those with "major abnormalities or defects of the genitalia" (Oliver, 2015).
Lifting the Transgender Military Ban
On July 13, 2015, Defense Secretary Aston Carter announced the Pentagon's six month plan to lift the ban on transgender people serving in the military (Brydum, 2015). He has outlined the plan as follows:
"First, DoD will create a working group to study over the next six months the policy and readiness implications of welcoming transgender persons to serve openly. At my direction, the working group will start with the presumption that transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness, unless and except where objective, practical impediments are identified. Second, I am directing that decision authority in all administrative discharges for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify themselves as transgender be elevated to [Acting] Under Secretary [of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Brad] Carson, who will make determinations on all potential separations."
In the meantime a de facto moratorium has been placed on discharges for transgender individuals currently serving in the military. As of this month, the Pentagon’s ban on transgender troops is set to end May 27 under the current draft timeline (Brook, 2015).
In December 2010, Congress passed the DADT Repeal Act, laying out the process to lift the ban. It was not until September of 2011, that the ban was fully lifted. However, the continued service policy still excluded and dismissed transgender individuals as unfit to serve and those with "major abnormalities or defects of the genitalia" (Oliver, 2015).
Lifting the Transgender Military Ban
On July 13, 2015, Defense Secretary Aston Carter announced the Pentagon's six month plan to lift the ban on transgender people serving in the military (Brydum, 2015). He has outlined the plan as follows:
"First, DoD will create a working group to study over the next six months the policy and readiness implications of welcoming transgender persons to serve openly. At my direction, the working group will start with the presumption that transgender persons can serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness and readiness, unless and except where objective, practical impediments are identified. Second, I am directing that decision authority in all administrative discharges for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria or who identify themselves as transgender be elevated to [Acting] Under Secretary [of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Brad] Carson, who will make determinations on all potential separations."
In the meantime a de facto moratorium has been placed on discharges for transgender individuals currently serving in the military. As of this month, the Pentagon’s ban on transgender troops is set to end May 27 under the current draft timeline (Brook, 2015).
UPDATE: Transgender Military Ban Stalled?
On April 6, 2016 the New York Times reported on the progress of uplifting the transgender military ban and lamented that "more than eight months later, a new policy has yet to be unveiled. It is imperative that Mr. Carter complete this process in a matter of weeks so transgender troops can start serving openly while he is in office...While openly transgender individuals are no longer being discharged, some careers have been put on hold. Ali Marberry, who graduated last year from the Naval Academy, was slated to start fighter pilot training last fall. Soon after the policy review was announced last year, Ensign Marberry came out as transgender and was disqualified from flight school. She may be able to reapply when a new transgender policy is in place. While her peers have been assigned to Navy units, she remains at the academy in Annapolis performing administrative tasks. She is required to wear the male uniform and use men’s restrooms. She hasn’t been told whether flight school is still in the cards. "
SCOTUS Decision, Marriage Equality
On June 26, 2013 the Defense of Marriage Act was finally deemed unconstitutional. This monumental moment meant a great deal for the LGBT community. This Supreme Court decision guaranteed legally married same-sex couples the benefits that have been given to heterosexual couples for a very long time. Unfortunately at this time same-sex couples could still only be married in certain states but this was a step in the right direction.
Coincidentally, exactly two years later on June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court held the decision that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Additionally it was decided that withholding the right to marriage from same-sex couples was also unconstitutional. After decades and decades of work same-sex couples are finally guaranteed the basic right of marriage that should have been there from the beginning. This event marks one a very big victory, if not the biggest, for the LGBT community and rights movements. |
Stalled progress |
In the works |
ENDA, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act
First introduced 1994
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Equality Act
First Introduced 2015
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Left: In response to the delays in congress, President Obama signed an Executive Order on July 21, 2014, amending Executive Order 11246 by Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibiting discrimination against LGBT workers by federal contractors (WhiteHouse.gov).
Right: Vox explains the Equality Act |
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Ongoing Oppresion
Adoption Rights
Even after same-sex couples have been legally recognized there is still discrimination when it comes to adoption. Same-sex couples are still facing a number of obstacles while attempting to adopt such as conflicting religious views with adoption agencies. As Jay Kaplan states in his interview with Street Beat, laws and policies make it possible for organizations to discriminate based on religious views. This means that an organization could potentially refuse to let a same-sex couple adopt because they perceive their religion to be against homosexuality.
Financial Aid
Despite the lifting of the ban for transgender people in the military service, there is one loophole that is often overlooked. This is directly connected with the rules of enlistment, which requires all males aged 18-26 to register for the selective service. So, where does this leave transgender individuals? Well, according to the current requirements all "MTF" transgender individuals must register regardless of their status or risk having federal financial aid withheld. However, a "FTM" transgender that has changed their gender marker and applied for financial aid WILL be asked if they have registered before federal funds are released to them but they may opt out by applying for a "status information letter" that will excuse them. (Selective Service System, 2015).
Even after same-sex couples have been legally recognized there is still discrimination when it comes to adoption. Same-sex couples are still facing a number of obstacles while attempting to adopt such as conflicting religious views with adoption agencies. As Jay Kaplan states in his interview with Street Beat, laws and policies make it possible for organizations to discriminate based on religious views. This means that an organization could potentially refuse to let a same-sex couple adopt because they perceive their religion to be against homosexuality.
Financial Aid
Despite the lifting of the ban for transgender people in the military service, there is one loophole that is often overlooked. This is directly connected with the rules of enlistment, which requires all males aged 18-26 to register for the selective service. So, where does this leave transgender individuals? Well, according to the current requirements all "MTF" transgender individuals must register regardless of their status or risk having federal financial aid withheld. However, a "FTM" transgender that has changed their gender marker and applied for financial aid WILL be asked if they have registered before federal funds are released to them but they may opt out by applying for a "status information letter" that will excuse them. (Selective Service System, 2015).
What's Next?
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Left: Jay Kaplan, staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, discusses the state of LGBTQ rights in Michigan and what other changes for LGBTQ individuals must still be made. |
transgender Rights- the new battle
John Oliver, on the Last Week Tonight Show discusses the many challenges faced by transgender Americans in 2015.
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Jessica Williams, on The Daily Show investigates the ongoing "transpanic" behind bathroom bills in April 2016.
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Bathroom Bills
One on the most challenging obstacles for the trans community is the gaining appropriate access to public bathrooms, corresponding to their proper gender. Currently, only 18 states have laws protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and another three have laws which only protect sexual orientation (Steinmetz, 2015). This year there are 10 nondiscrimination bills being pushed by LGBTQ advocates nationwide, including Arizona, Florida, Texas and Kentucky (Steinmetz, 2015; Bianco, 2015).
Of them, the most recent losses has been the HERO (Houston Equal Rights Ordinance) bill in Texas which lost by a staggering margin after opponents ran a series of campaigns based on transmisogyny and fear of sexual predators and “men” in bathrooms. In reality, 70% of trans individuals report being denied access to restrooms or bring assaulted and harassed. However, supporters of nondiscrimantion ordinances point out that experts have found virtually no cases of abuse have occurring in places that already have these protections (Maza, 2014). Advocates like Michelle Fox-Phillips (2015) in Michigan have predicted that we see LGBT civit rights on the November ballot in 2016, including an attempt to block nondiscrimination protections for the trans community in public restrooms. In a personal interview, Fox-Phillips (November 21, 2015) predicts that Michigan will become the next battle ground for bathroom bills as conservatives use similar campaigns to the ones in Houston. |
Excerpted from a personal critique of Michigan's current laws:
I live in MI so many of the laws on the books weren’t/aren’t trans friendly. (Bare in mind that one of the challenges involved in Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that resulted in marriage equality came from Michigan). While there isn’t a specific law restricting bathroom usage it can be considered “disturbing the peace.” However, every article I have read citing this doesn’t cite a document with language explicitly saying so. On the other hand, Jay Kaplan (head of the ACLU of MI LGBT project has gone on the record saying, “The one thing that I would like to add is the Michigan’s Equal Access law regarding public accommodations, does permit for separate bathroom facilities for males and females. I know that cities such as San Francisco permit bathroom usage according to state ID. I don’t believe that Michigan has any specific policy regarding this. Probably the issue of the bathroom would have to be looked at on a case by case basis. I agree with you, that identification should be sufficient, but I know that’s not always the case.” I don’t doubt the validity of his statement. Personally, I don’t know anyone who been charged but I do know people who have been escorted out of bathrooms by management of the facilities... However, since there are no protective laws for trans individuals you get ridiculous cases like the woman suing Planet Fitness for revoking her membership because she can’t accommodate it’s trans friendly locker room policy. That was back in March and no progress has been reported regarding this Yvette M. Cormier v. PF Fitness - Midland, LLC et Al case." (Claudio, 2015) |
Michigan's Current Stance on Bathrooms
As of now (April, 2016) there is no statewide legislation regarding bathroom usage to protect transgender people. However, there is no state enforced ban either. In March, the Department of Education published guidelines for creating a safe environment for LGBTQ students, which included allowing access to restrooms in accordance with student's gender identities, and special training for school staff. It also supported the use of preferred names and pronouns with students outside of unilateral consent from parents or guardians. In response, a growing backlash fueled by the GOP has led to an extension to the public comment period from April 11 to May 11. Additionally, Senator Tom Caperson has announced his commitment to introduce legislation that would prohibit access to gender specific facilities, if the gender on one's birth certificate does not match.
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UPDATE: Title IX
Following a decision by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, a piece of North Carolina's HB 2 is now in violation of Title IX. Jay Kaplan wrote a piece for Pride Source stating "On April 19, 2016, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals became the first United States federal court to hold that the U.S. Department of Education's interpretation of Title IX (the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex) and the issue of transgender students and restrooms must be followed by the federal courts. This means that public schools are required to permit transgender students to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity. This decision overturned a lower court ruling by federal district court Judge Robert Doumar, who had dismissed a claim by Gavin Grim, a teenage transgender male student attending high school in Gloucester, Virginia, that the school violated his Title IX rights by adopting a rule that he could use only restrooms designated for girls or unisex single-user restrooms....this decision, although not binding on states outside of the 4th Circuit, sends a message to state legislatures contemplating passing legislation similar to North Carolina's regarding transgender students and bathroom usage: "You will be violating Title IX and putting your federal education dollars at risk."
Hopefully this message will be heard by members of the Michigan Legislature, where State Sen. Casperson has announced that he will be introducing legislation mandating that students can only use restrooms in accordance with the gender assigned on their birth certificates, or in the alternative single-user unisex restrooms. (Kaplan, 2016)"
Hopefully this message will be heard by members of the Michigan Legislature, where State Sen. Casperson has announced that he will be introducing legislation mandating that students can only use restrooms in accordance with the gender assigned on their birth certificates, or in the alternative single-user unisex restrooms. (Kaplan, 2016)"
Acquiring Identification Documents
States differ on what documents gender markers can be changed or amended for transgender individuals and some states make it difficult or impossible for trans individuals to do so. Such states may require proof of surgical inventions before changing markers and many transgender cannot afford such procedures or do not want them (Lopez, 2015). Consequently, only 21% of transgender individuals have been able to change their gender markers on all official documents (Lopez, 2015).
In Michigan, "you can’t change it on your license until it’s reflected on your birth certificate and at minimum you need a notarized affidavit from a physician to affirm you’ve undergone appropriate procedures for transitions and ... In response to this there has been a federal lawsuit backed by the ACLU/ACLU of MI filed in May to challenge this policy on behalf of six plaintiffs. On the grounds that it is quite arbitrary since two of the six were born out of state and those states prohibit any amending of gender for birth certificates. Furthermore, a few state reps are sponsoring a bill circumnavigate this hurdle (House Bills 4698 and 4699). “The package of bills would require someone seeking to change their gender designation on an operator’s or chauffeur’s license, or state-issued identification, to present one or more of the following forms to the Secretary of State: a U.S. passport showing the correct gender, a birth certificate showing the correct gender, a court order recognizing the correct gender, a signed letter from a health care provider stating that the individual has undergone clinically appropriate treatment based on contemporary medical standards for the purpose of gender transition, or that the individual has an intersex condition or gender dysphoria (Claudio, 2015)."
In Michigan, "you can’t change it on your license until it’s reflected on your birth certificate and at minimum you need a notarized affidavit from a physician to affirm you’ve undergone appropriate procedures for transitions and ... In response to this there has been a federal lawsuit backed by the ACLU/ACLU of MI filed in May to challenge this policy on behalf of six plaintiffs. On the grounds that it is quite arbitrary since two of the six were born out of state and those states prohibit any amending of gender for birth certificates. Furthermore, a few state reps are sponsoring a bill circumnavigate this hurdle (House Bills 4698 and 4699). “The package of bills would require someone seeking to change their gender designation on an operator’s or chauffeur’s license, or state-issued identification, to present one or more of the following forms to the Secretary of State: a U.S. passport showing the correct gender, a birth certificate showing the correct gender, a court order recognizing the correct gender, a signed letter from a health care provider stating that the individual has undergone clinically appropriate treatment based on contemporary medical standards for the purpose of gender transition, or that the individual has an intersex condition or gender dysphoria (Claudio, 2015)."
HealthCare
Accessing appropriate medical care for gender affirmative procedures or even basic preventive care has proven difficult to attain for transgender individuals. The National Transgender Discrimination Report illustrates that 19% of transgender participants reported being denied healthcare services because of their gender identity (Strousma, 2014). Furthermore, 28% reported harassment in a medical setting and the same number admitted to delaying seeking healthcare because of perceived discrimination while a third delayed basic preventive care (Strousma, 2014). Strousma (2014) adds that nearly a fifth lack health insurance coverage.
Often times transgender individuals must delay gender affirmation therapies such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), reconstructive surgery and gender related counseling because they perceive it would burden their current socioeconomic status. Contrary to the recommendations of new findings that emphasize the importance of gender affirmation therapy which contributes greatly to the resilience of those that have already begun HRT, despite encountering similar rates of discrimination (Grant et al., 2014).
Revisions are currently being proposed by HHS to explicitly ban transgender discrimination, as of September 3, 2015 (Dickson, 2015). These provisions would ban discriminatory practices by doctors accepting Medicaid or Medicare insurance providers that participate in state-marketplace. It is yet to be confirmed if this will include gender affirmative therapies such as SRS. However it will prohibit the denial of preventative services to transgender patients such as pap smears and prostate exams that are often excluded because of gender identity (Howell, 2015).
While there is little doubt that strides for progress in transgender healthcare have been made in this decade but the long term effects have yet to be observed and the short-term ramifications are just being measured. It was only a year after the passing of the Affordable Care Act that HHS announced policy initiatives to collect data relevant to health issues in the LGBT population with inclusive questions about gender identity in its National Health Interview Survey (Strousma, 2014).
Often times transgender individuals must delay gender affirmation therapies such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), reconstructive surgery and gender related counseling because they perceive it would burden their current socioeconomic status. Contrary to the recommendations of new findings that emphasize the importance of gender affirmation therapy which contributes greatly to the resilience of those that have already begun HRT, despite encountering similar rates of discrimination (Grant et al., 2014).
Revisions are currently being proposed by HHS to explicitly ban transgender discrimination, as of September 3, 2015 (Dickson, 2015). These provisions would ban discriminatory practices by doctors accepting Medicaid or Medicare insurance providers that participate in state-marketplace. It is yet to be confirmed if this will include gender affirmative therapies such as SRS. However it will prohibit the denial of preventative services to transgender patients such as pap smears and prostate exams that are often excluded because of gender identity (Howell, 2015).
While there is little doubt that strides for progress in transgender healthcare have been made in this decade but the long term effects have yet to be observed and the short-term ramifications are just being measured. It was only a year after the passing of the Affordable Care Act that HHS announced policy initiatives to collect data relevant to health issues in the LGBT population with inclusive questions about gender identity in its National Health Interview Survey (Strousma, 2014).
references
ACLUofMichigan. (2015, June 26). #Love wins-“what’s next?” by jay kaplan. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knx8moBPj3E
Bianco, M. (2015, April 2). Statistics show you exactly how many times trans people have attacked you in bathrooms. The Mic. Retrieved from http://mic.com/articles/114066/statistics-show-exactly-how-many-times-trans-people-have-attacked-you-in-bathrooms#.fvodaDuSH
Brook, T. (2015, August 15). Military transgender ban set to end next may. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/25/military-transgender-ban-set-end-next-may/32345385/
Brydum, S. (2015, July 13). Sec. of defense confirms: Yes, we'll lift trans military ban. The Advocate. Retrieved from http://www.advocate.com/politics/military/2015/07/13/reports-pentagon-poised-lift-transgender-military-ban
Claudio, C. (2015, September). 30 Day trans challenge: how do you feel about the laws in your state? Retrieved from http://constructingcaleb.tumblr.com/post/126396562468/30-day-trans-challenge-q-18
Dickson, V. (2015, September 3). HHS targets discrimination based on sex, gender identity. Modern Healthcare. Retrieved from http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20150903/NEWS/150909954
Ford, Z. (2015, July 23). The equality act could end lgbt discrimination for good. ThinkProgress. Retrieved from http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/07/23/3683728/equality-act-introduction/
Fox-Phillips, M. (2015, November 19). An open letter to Dana Nessel, from the transgender community of Michigan. Pride Source. Retrieved from http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=74197
Fox-Phillips, M. (2015, November, 21). Personal Interview.
Grant, Jaime M., Lisa A. Mottet, Justin Tanis, Jack Harrison, Jody L. Herman, and Mara Keisling. (2011) Injustice at every turn: a report of the national transgender discrimination survey. Washington: National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Green, A. (2011, April 6). 5,000 year old ‘transgender’ skeleton discovered. Retrieved from http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/04/06/5000-year-old-transgender-skeleton-discovered/
Howell, T. (n.d.). HHS proposal bans health care discrimination against transgender persons. Washington Times. Retrieved from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/3/hhs-proposal-bans-health-care-discrimination-again/
Hudson, D. (2014, July 21). President obama signs a new executive to protect lgbt workers. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/07/21/president-obama-signs-new-executive-order-protect-lgbt-workers
Kaplan, J. (2015, October). The state of LGBT equality in michigan. The Street Beat, CW50. Retrieved from http://cwdetroit.cbslocal.com/2015/10/07/the-state-of-lgbt-equality-in-michigan/
Kukla, E. (2006). Terms for gender diversity in classical jewish texts. Trans Torah. Retrieved from http://www.transtorah.org/PDFs/Classical_Jewish_Terms_for_Gender_Diversity.pdf
LastWeekTonight. (2015, June 28). Last week tonight with john oliver: Transgender rights (HBO). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmoAX9f6MOc
Latham, T., Psy D. (2011, April 9). Scientific Homophobia. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/therapy-matters/201104/scientific-homophobia
Lopez, G. (2015, September, 22). Traveling while trans: How some state laws make airport checkpoints much more difficult. Vox. Retrieved from http://www.vox.com/2015/9/22/9373405/transgender-id-laws
Maza, C. (2014, March 20). Debunking the big myth about transgender-inclusive bathrooms. Media Matters. Retrieved from http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/03/20/debunking-the-big-myth-about-transgender-inclus/198530.
OUT Magazine. (2013, April 26). “9 things to know about the lavender scare.” Retrieved from http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2013/04/26/9-things-to%C2%A0know-about-lavender-scare
PBS. (2011, April). Introduction: Stonewall uprising. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/introduction/stonewall-intro/
PBS. (2015, August 11). A map of gender-diverse cultures. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/content/two-spirits_map-html/
Steinmetz, K. (2015, March 6). States battle over bathroom access for transgender people. Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://time.com/3734714/transgender-bathroom-bills-lgbt-discrimination/
Stroumsa, D. (2014). The state of transgender healthcare: policy, law, and medical frameworks. American Journal of Public Health, 104(3), 31-38. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301789
Bianco, M. (2015, April 2). Statistics show you exactly how many times trans people have attacked you in bathrooms. The Mic. Retrieved from http://mic.com/articles/114066/statistics-show-exactly-how-many-times-trans-people-have-attacked-you-in-bathrooms#.fvodaDuSH
Brook, T. (2015, August 15). Military transgender ban set to end next may. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/25/military-transgender-ban-set-end-next-may/32345385/
Brydum, S. (2015, July 13). Sec. of defense confirms: Yes, we'll lift trans military ban. The Advocate. Retrieved from http://www.advocate.com/politics/military/2015/07/13/reports-pentagon-poised-lift-transgender-military-ban
Claudio, C. (2015, September). 30 Day trans challenge: how do you feel about the laws in your state? Retrieved from http://constructingcaleb.tumblr.com/post/126396562468/30-day-trans-challenge-q-18
Dickson, V. (2015, September 3). HHS targets discrimination based on sex, gender identity. Modern Healthcare. Retrieved from http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20150903/NEWS/150909954
Ford, Z. (2015, July 23). The equality act could end lgbt discrimination for good. ThinkProgress. Retrieved from http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/07/23/3683728/equality-act-introduction/
Fox-Phillips, M. (2015, November 19). An open letter to Dana Nessel, from the transgender community of Michigan. Pride Source. Retrieved from http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=74197
Fox-Phillips, M. (2015, November, 21). Personal Interview.
Grant, Jaime M., Lisa A. Mottet, Justin Tanis, Jack Harrison, Jody L. Herman, and Mara Keisling. (2011) Injustice at every turn: a report of the national transgender discrimination survey. Washington: National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Green, A. (2011, April 6). 5,000 year old ‘transgender’ skeleton discovered. Retrieved from http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/04/06/5000-year-old-transgender-skeleton-discovered/
Howell, T. (n.d.). HHS proposal bans health care discrimination against transgender persons. Washington Times. Retrieved from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/3/hhs-proposal-bans-health-care-discrimination-again/
Hudson, D. (2014, July 21). President obama signs a new executive to protect lgbt workers. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/07/21/president-obama-signs-new-executive-order-protect-lgbt-workers
Kaplan, J. (2015, October). The state of LGBT equality in michigan. The Street Beat, CW50. Retrieved from http://cwdetroit.cbslocal.com/2015/10/07/the-state-of-lgbt-equality-in-michigan/
Kukla, E. (2006). Terms for gender diversity in classical jewish texts. Trans Torah. Retrieved from http://www.transtorah.org/PDFs/Classical_Jewish_Terms_for_Gender_Diversity.pdf
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