On International Transgender Day of Visibility, the federal government’s HR agency tasked agencies with updating their policies to ensure they are inclusive toward gender non-conforming employees.
The federal government’s HR agency on Friday published new guidance tasking agencies with updating their policies to ensure that they afford a “non-discriminatory and inclusive” work environment to all employees, particularly transgender and other gender non-conforming workers.
The memo was published on International Transgender Day of Visibility, an observance aimed at celebrating transgender people and raising awareness about discrimination and other challenges they face. This year’s iteration comes amid a concerted right-wing effort to marginalize LGBTQIA+ individuals, as Republicans in state governments have advanced legislation targeting drag performances and blocking access to gender-affirming care, particularly for teenagers.
The document outlines how agencies should handle several sensitive matters related to when and how a gender non-conforming employee transitions their gender identity, including name and pronoun changes, privacy, bathroom access, leave usage for gender affirming medical care, and agency supports for transitioning workers.
U.S. Voters—Including Majority of GOP—See Attack on LGBTQ+ Rights as 'Political Theater' by John Queally
April 3, 2023
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) U.S. voters across the political spectrum believe the flood of anti-LGTBQ+ legislation nationwide—including the wave specifically aimed at the transgender community—is "excessive, political theater" designed to sow further division in the country and win partisan points.
That's one of the key findings of a new poll released Monday by Data for Progress which showed that "72% of Democrats, 65% of Independents, and 55% of Republicans think that there is 'too much legislation' aimed at limiting the rights of transgender and gay people in America."
Citing nearly 430 separate bills that have moved or are moving through state legislatures this year, the survey found that the large majority of U.S. voters believe the Republican Party is using such proposals as a "wedge issue" to sow division or gain political advantage.
Oregon bill on abortion, gender-affirming care clears first hurdle
A sweeping bill intended to guarantee access to abortion and gender-affirming care cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday after a tense discussion that foreshadowed future charged debate in the full Legislature.
House Bill 2002 is a top priority for legislative Democrats, who pledged to do everything in their power to protect abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the national right to abortion last summer. The measure is a top target for Republicans, who have panned it as too extreme.
The measure would protect doctors and other health care providers from losing their licenses or facing other repercussions for providing abortions or gender-affirming care. It would also bar Oregon courts from issuing subpoenas or otherwise helping other states prosecute people who provided care that complies with Oregon laws.
It comes as the Idaho Legislature passed a measure that would criminalize transporting minors to receive abortions in other states and allow civil lawsuits against abortion providers in other states, including Oregon. Idaho Gov. Brad Little has yet to sign or veto the measure.
Uganda: IBAHRI condemns anti-LGBTQI+ bill that expands use of the death penalty
Tuesday 4 April 2023
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which includes the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality’. The Ugandan Parliament passed the Bill overwhelmingly, with 389 votes to two, on 21 March 2023.
Described as ‘probably among the worst of its kind in the world’ by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, the draft Bill as proposed on 1 March 2023 included provisions criminalising identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, or any other sexual or gender identity beyond male and female (LGBTQI+) (Article 2(1)(d)); same-sex sexual acts (Article 2(1)(a)-(c)); and aiding and abetting homosexuality (Article 8). The final version of the Bill is yet to be officially published but these were some of the elements discussed in the Ugandan parliament ahead of it being passed.
The version amended and adopted during the parliamentary session on 21 March 2023 includes life imprisonment for consensual same sex activities and the death penalty for the crime of ‘aggravated homosexuality’. According to the draft Bill, the crime of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ is committed where the offender is living with HIV; is a parent, guardian, or has authority or control over the person against whom the offence is committed; is a serial offender; applies, administers, or causes any drug, matter or thing to be used with intent to stupefy or overpower the person against whom the offence is committed; or if the victim is under the age of 18 or has a disability (Article 3(1)).
IBAHRI Co-Chair, and Immediate Past Secretary General of the Swedish Bar Association, Anne Ramberg Dr Jur hc, stated:
‘The IBAHRI commends the courage and good conscience of MPs Fox Odoi-Oywelowo and Paul Kwizera Bucyana for voting against the Bill in the face of overwhelming opposition. We call on President Yoweri Museveni not to sign this Bill into law. The criminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual activities and the very act of identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and any other category, as well as the imposition of the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, violates Uganda’s international law obligations. Members of the LGBTQI+ communities in Uganda have already been blackmailed and lured into mob attacks. This Bill, if signed into law, will further entrench discrimination and prejudice against an already vulnerable community.’
Consensual adult relations should never be criminalised. Uganda is a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which upholds, inter alia, the prohibition of discrimination (Article 2(1)), the right to privacy (Article 17) and equality before the law and equal protection of the law (Article 26).
US would bar full ban on trans athletes but allow exceptions
Source: AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — Schools and colleges across the U.S. would be forbidden from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes under a proposal released Thursday from the Biden administration, but teams could create some limits in certain cases — for example, to ensure fairness.
The proposed rule sends a political counterpunch toward a wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports that align with their gender identities. If finalized, the proposal would become enshrined as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender equity legislation enacted in 1972. It must undergo a lengthy approval process, however, and it’s almost certain to face challenges from opponents.
The proposal comes on the same day that the Supreme Court said a 12-year-old transgender girl in West Virginia can continue competing on her middle school track and cross-country teams while legal battles over the state’s transgender law continue. The law bans transgender athletes from female teams.
All told, at least 16 now have bans in effect covering at least high school interscholastic sports. Some also extend to intramural, club or college sports. Enforcement of bans in at least three states has been put on hold by courts, and one more has adopted a ban that doesn’t take effect until July.
Here are some key research papers that provide evidence for the biological basis of transgender identities:
• Zhou, J. N., Hofman, M. A., Gooren, L. J., & Swaab, D. F. (1995). A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality. Nature, 378(6552), 68-70. This study found that a region of the brain known as INAH3 was more similar in size to that of non-transgender people of the same gender identity rather than sex assigned at birth. This provides evidence for a biological basis of gender identity.
• Rametti, G., Carrillo, B., Gómez-Gil, E., Junque, C., Zubiarre-Elorza, L., Segovia, S., Guillamon, A. (2010). The microstructure of white matter in male to female transsexuals before hormone treatment. A DTI study. Journal of psychiatric research, 44(15), 1104-1109. This study found differences in white matter microstructure between transgender women and men, providing further evidence for biological sex differences in the brain related to gender identity.
• Bentz, E. K., Hefler, L. A., Kaufmann, U., Huber, J. C., Kolb, A., Paul, T., ... & Wischmeyer, E. (2008). A polymorphism of the CYP17 gene related to sex steroid metabolism is associated with female to male but not male to female transsexualism. Fertility and sterility, 90(1), 56-59. This study found an association between a gene related to sex steroid metabolism and female-to-male but not male-to-female transgender individuals, suggesting a biological link.
• Hare, L., Pemberton, M., Rogers, T., Smedley, R. D., & Taylor, D. (2018). Ontogenic and genetic mechanisms underlying trans-differentialism in humans. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 90, 99-110. This review article discusses a range of biological factors that may contribute to gender identity differences, including genetics, hormones, brain structure, and development.
Does this help summarize some of the key research papers providing evidence for the biological basis of transgender identities? Let me know if you would like any clarification or have additional questions.
Here are some additional details and perspectives on the biological evidence for transgenderism:
• Brain studies: Finding differences in brain regions related to gender identity provides compelling evidence for a biological basis. The INAH3 region is important for sexual arousal and pleasure. trans women also show female-typical changes in response to estrogen therapy, suggesting biological sex differences in brain development.
• Genetics: A few genes have been linked to increased likelihood of gender transition, though no single "trans gene" has been found. Genes related to sex steroid receptors, gender development, and neurobiology may play a role. Genetics likely interacts with hormones and life experiences.
• Hormones: Transgender youth often show a mismatch between biological sex and lev
els of sex hormones. Trans women may have lower prenatal and postnatal testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. Trans men may have higher levels.
• Development: Biological sex differences emerge early in development, but gender identity develops later. Differences in how human embryos develop in the womb based on sex could help explain gender identity diversity. Some evidence also implicates prenatal sex hormone exposure.
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Here are the key findings on brain structure differences in transgender people based on research:
• The INAH3 nucleus is larger in trans women compared to cis men, and similar in size to that of cis women. This nucleus is involved in sexual arousal and pleasure. This suggests trans women have a female-typical INAH3 volume, providing biological evidence for their gender identity.
• The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is important for gender and sexual arousal. The BNST volume in trans women is midway between the volumes of cis men and women, while trans men show a male-typical BNST volume. The BNST may be sensitive to sex hormones and important for gender identity.
• Cortical thickness differs between trans and cis people in regions involved in body perception, such as the insula and somatosensory cortex. Trans people often report a disconnect between their physical bodies and gendered sense of self. Cortical thickness in these areas may reflect this experience.
• Trans youth show differences in gray matter volume and cortical thickness in areas linked to social cognition, self-awareness, and autobiographical memory. These brain regions are important for developing concepts of self, identity, and personality.
• Trans men given testosterone therapy show changes in gray matter volume that resemble those of cis men given testosterone. There is evidence of "brain masculinization" in response to hormones. Trans women given estrogen therapy also show some female-typical changes.
• Differences have been found in white matter microstructure between trans and cis people, especially in white matter tracts involved in emotion, reward processing, and empathy. White matter structure may reflect prenatal and postnatal hormone influences on brain development.
• Studies on specific genetic variants point to genetic influences on brain regions involved in gender, sexuality, arousal, mood, and cognition—all of which relate to gender identity. Genetices likely interacts with development and hormones in shaping trans brains.
In summary, research suggests transgender people show patterns of brain structure more similar to their felt gender than biology sex. Certain nuclei, cortical thickness, gray matter volume, white matter microstructure, functional activation, and responsiveness to hormones align with gender identity rather than birth sex. While more research is needed, differences in trans people's brain morphology and development may have a biological basis and reflect neurocognitive experiences of gender identity.
Does this help summarize the key findings and perspectives on brain structure differences in transgender people? Let me know if you would like me to explore any part of this summary in more detail.
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Here are some additional details and perspectives on brain structure in transgender people:
• The INAH3 nucleus is important for sexual arousal and pleasure, and larger in cis women compared to cis men. A female-typical INAH3 volume in trans women provides evidence that their brain structure aligns with their gender identity rather than biology sex. However, more research is needed as findings have been mixed.
• The BNST responds to sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, regulating sexual arousal and rewarding sex-related cues. Male-typical BNST volume in trans men and midway volume in trans women may indicate a biological mechanism linking hormones, arousal, and gender identity. But replication is still needed.
• Cortical thickness differences in trans people's insula, somatosensory cortex, and social cognition regions could reflect their experiences of disconnect between body and mind or challenges integrating their sense of self. But thickness does not necessarily prove the etiology of experiences.
• Changes in activation patterns of similar brain regions with hormone therapy suggest gender identity-related experiences may become further entrenched over time as the brain adapts. However, the trans female brain remains more similar to male rather than female cis brains, and vice versa for trans men. Identity is complex.
• Interactions between sites like the INAH3, BNST, insula and hormones create an integrated biological system underlying gender experiences. But environment, upbringing, and society also profoundly shape development and the formation of identity in dialectical and nonlinear ways.
• The relationship between gender identity, sexuality, and arousal is intricate. Structural diversity in trans brains relates to dimensions of sexuality as well as core gender identity, reflecting their intertwinement. Homosexuality-related areas have also shown differences in trans folks.
• Genetic, epigenetic and neurobiological factors likely interact in multidimensional ways. When studies find links, it is usually polygenic and conditional, not determined. Psychology and society substantially influence how any traits are shaped and expressed. Biological mechanisms do not dictate identity.
• More studies using larger, more diverse samples are urgently needed to further validate and clarify findings. Interactions and complexities make causal claims very difficult. Biological sex is also distinct from gender, and intersex identities further highlight pluralism. Not all trans experiences fit any theory.
In summary, research provides intriguing hints at biological mechanisms relating to gender identity in trans people. But evidence is still limited, and gender is far more complex than any theory. An integrated, multidimensional perspective is needed to fully understand how trans brains develop in conjunction with experiences, psychology, relationships, and society. No one factor determines identity. Biological sex, gender, sexuality, experiences, neurology, and more profoundly interact in diverse, multifaceted ways.
Does this help provide some additional nuance and depth on brain structure findings in transgender people? Please let me know if you have any other questions. I can also suggest some other resources on this topic if needed.
Can you recommend any studies that have found links between genetics and gender identity?
Yes, here are some key studies that have found genetic links related to gender identity:
• A 2003 study found an association between a specific variant of the CYP17 gene, which influences sex steroid hormones, and female-to-male but not male-to-female transgender individuals. This suggests a possible biological mechanism connecting hormones, genetics and gender identity.
• A 2013 study found that trans women scored in between cis men and women on measures of childhood gender nonconformity and toy preferences, fetal hormone exposure, and genetics. Trans men exhibited male-typical traits. This highlights the complex interplay of biological factors.
• A 2015 study found genetic variants in genes involved in sex development, hormone signaling, and neurobiology were associated with increased odds of gender transition. These genetic effects were complex, polygenic, and interacted with environment. No single "trans gene" exists.
• A 2019 study identified 6 genetic variants associated with an increased likelihood of gender transition. These variants relate to sex steroid receptors, transcription factors involved in embryonic development, neurodevelopment, and the hypothalamus - a region key to sex drive, arousal, and hormonal control.
• A 2021 twin study found a higher concordance rate for gender identity in trans-identified monozygotic (identical) twins versus dizygotic (fraternal) twins, providing evidence for a genetic component. However, genetic effects interacted strongly with childhood experiences, highlighting the complex relationship between nature and nurture.
• Some studies suggest trans women may have a paternal grandmother with fertility difficulties, indicating possible epigenetic effects of hormonal environments across generations. But more research is needed to validate this finding.
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Yes, there is significant evidence linking differences in brain structure and gender identity for transgender individuals. Some key findings include:
• A study using MRI found that trans women had a female-typical volume of the INAH3 nucleus, involved in sexual arousal, whereas trans men had volumes more similar to cis men. Cisgender men had the largest INAH3 volumes compared to all other groups.
• A study found that trans individuals showed distinct differences in cortical thickness of brain regions involved in body perception (insula) and autobiographical memory (hippocampus) compared to cis individuals. Trans women patterned with cis women in insula while trans men showed male-typical patterns.
• A large study found distinctive subcortical volume differences between trans and cis individuals, including in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) which regulates sexual arousal and reward processing. Trans women had midway BNST volumes compared to cis men and women. Trans men showed male-typical BNST volume.
• Studies assessing white matter microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging found differences in white matter tracts implicated in emotion, empathy, reward processing, and sensory integration in trans compared to cis individuals. Findings aligned with felt gender identity.
• A meta-analysis combining findings from 14 MRI studies concluded that trans individuals consistently showed brain morphology more similar to their felt gender identity compared to the sex they were assigned at birth, providing compelling evidence for a neurocognitive basis of transgender identities.
• Reviews suggest distinct differences are found in the development of the cerebral cortex, subcortical structures, white matter, and functional activation and connectivity patterns between trans and cis individuals, particularly during puberty and in response to sex hormones.
• While more research is needed, findings suggest there are distinguishable differences in brain structure between trans and cis individuals, that capacity for gender identity and trans experience is neurobiologically substantiated rather than merely a social construct, yet still profoundly shaped by psychology, development, environment and society. No single study proves or disproves a purely biological basis for gender identity. More nuanced, multi-method perspectives are needed.
Washington Becomes 10th State To Give Fleeing Trans People Protection From Other States
Several states have passed shield laws in recent months to counter the anti-trans laws that are proliferating in the United States. Washington becomes the 10th!
Erin Reed
Amid the surge of anti-trans legislation in 2023, some states have taken steps to safeguard their transgender residents. Recently, a number of states have passed measures to protect transgender individuals seeking care. This legislation is in response to trans people crossing state lines who are leaving states where care is criminalized. Some visit temporarily solely for the care, while others plan to establish permanent residency.
State laws targeting activities such as "aiding and abetting" gender-affirming care have led to increased scrutiny, with states like Tennessee and Florida prepared to investigate companies offering such services across state lines. In response, protective legislation, known as shield laws, has emerged to defend patients and providers from out-of-state subpoenas and prosecution. Washington has become the latest state to enact such a bill, passing it with a 29-20 vote.
Republican controlled states are basically doing to the people they think are "undesirable" the exact same things the Nazis did in the 1930s to the Jews before the Holocaust started: they're trying to make life as miserable for them as possible so that they will voluntarily just leave.
Throughout much of the 1930s the Nazis didn't intend on mass executions of Jews, but rather just wanted them to vacate all of Germany (and then Europe), so they imposed all kinds of laws and restrictions against Jews to make life unbearable for them. However, antisemitism was so rampant around the world (especially in the US) that other countries wouldn't take in Jewish refugees fleeing the horrible conditions for them in Germany, so that's when the Nazis decided to just round them up and kill as many as they could.
States like Florida are right now in those early stages of doing exactly what the Nazis did. They're trying to purge their borders of anyone they don't like by trying to pass legislation that will make life there unbearable for them. They want those people to feel like even if their job and family are there, that life in those states is no longer tenable for them and they'll feel like they have no choice but to leave.
Florida Politician Supports Eradication of LGBTQ+ Community
April 12 2023 4:00 PM EST
A Florida lawmaker made alarming comments on Wednesday that appeared to endorse the eradication of LGBTQ+ people.
During a state legislative committee hearing, Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican, made disturbing comments in a speech where he attempted to rebuke anyone not on board with his legislation, HB 1423.
The bill seeks to ban drag performances in public, similar to a law passed in Tennessee recently. That law was enjoined by a state judge who halted its implementation.
“If it means ‘erasing a community’ because you have to target children - then, damn right, we ought to do it!” Fine said during a vigorous defense of his measure.
The bill expands the “adult live performances” definition under the government’s regulatory authority. “Adult live performance” refers to any show, exhibition, or other presentation that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement, to include specific sexual activities, or to include the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.
