Anti-Trans North Carolina is home to Pharma Company led by Visionary Trans woman

In 1995, Martine Rothblatt, a trans American lawyer, author, philosopher and entrepreneur published “The Apartheid of Sex,” a brief manifesto that made the case for on an overhaul of “dimorphic” (her word) gender categories. A New York Magazine , in a must read feature on Rothblatt, quotes her as saying: “There are five billion people… More Anti-Trans North Carolina is home to Pharma Company led by Visionary Trans woman

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

 TLDEF Condemns Sweeping New Discriminatory Law in Mississippi New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed anti-LGBT House Bill 1523 into law today. The Mississippi Legislature passed the bill in a final vote yesterday. The measure allows individuals, religious organizations, and many businesses… More Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

New York, NY – Today as a trial was set to commence, 24-year old James Dixon entered a guilty plea on first and second degree manslaughter and first degree assault charges for the August 17, 2013 killing of Islan Nettles, a 21-year-old African American transgender woman from Harlem. Dixon is charged with punching Islan in… More Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today stands with advocates throughout the world in celebrating the Transgender Day of Visibility, a day set aside to amplify the accomplishments of transgender people globally. Statement from TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman: “On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we are proud to… More TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

PLEASE rally to demand  Justice for Transgender murder victim Islan Nettles New York, NY — Everything Transgender in NYC (ETNYC) is calling on advocates and activists for transgender justice and allies in the greater New York City area to rally at the courthouse for Islan Nettles, tomorrow, Thursday March 31, 2016 at 9 a.m. Last year… More Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

New York- The man accused of fatally beating Islan Nettles, a 21 year old transgender woman, turned down a plea deal today in a Manhattan criminal court, and will now face a jury trial scheduled for March 30, 2016. Judge Robert Stolz offered James Dixon only 12 years behind bars in exchange for pleading guilty… More Trans Woman’s Confessed Killer Refuses Plea Deal

Landmark Ruling as Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Case Heads to Trial

Eleventh Circuit Overturns Lower Court Decision in Chavez v. Credit Nation Auto Sales, LLC  Posted by Melanie Ntahan, January 15, 2016. Tuxedo Park, NY- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has ruled that a transgender woman may take her employment discrimination case against a Georgia auto sales company to trial. The decision (click here) in… More Landmark Ruling as Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Case Heads to Trial

HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

Transgender activists, Trans Community and all who care please take note of this call to action by the Federal Government and leading organizations! Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a new regulation that it is considering adopting, one that would, for the first… More HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016 Lambda Legal today filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a Boulder County property owner who violated the federal Fair Housing Act and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to rent a housing unit she owns in Gold Hill, Colorado, to a same-sex couple, one of whom is transgender,… More Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

TLDEF Condemns Indiana Bill Targeting Transgender Youth and Adults

Bill Would Punish Transgender People with Jail Time for Using Bathroom Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 28, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces an Indiana bill singling out transgender students and adults for discrimination. Introduced by Republican state Sen. Jim Tomes, Senate Bill 35 would prohibit transgender students in… More TLDEF Condemns Indiana Bill Targeting Transgender Youth and Adults

Transgender Man Wins Health Insurance Coverage for Gender Transition

Victory! Union Affirms Ongoing Coverage for Transition-Related Care in Health Plan By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has secured insurance coverage for a transgender man’s medically necessary care after his union-sponsored health insurance plan refused to cover it.  Adrian Sealy works in a… More Transgender Man Wins Health Insurance Coverage for Gender Transition

Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

TLDEF Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 20, 2015. New York, NY- The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commemorates the 17th Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day to memorialize all those lost to anti-transgender violence and to honor the spirit and resilience of transgender people worldwide. TDOR began in… More Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

Submits Comments to HHS Supporting Broadest Possible Rule to Ban LGBT Health Care Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), expressing support for improving the health and wellness of transgender Americans… More TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

Governor O’Malley Unveils Progressive LGBTQ Policies at Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards

O’MALLEY WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO ENDORSE THE EQUALITY ACT, AND LONG HELD THE BELIEF THAT MARRIAGE IS A HUMAN RIGHT, NOT A STATE RIGHT Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 30, 2015. DES MOINES, IA —Tonight, Governor O’Malley will be the first presidential candidate to address the Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards. Governor O’Malley has a… More Governor O’Malley Unveils Progressive LGBTQ Policies at Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards

Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

  By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2015. A well known Ugandan transgender activist is in hospital after being beaten by an angry anti-LGBT mob in Uganda, today. Beyonce Karungi, 35, went into hiding after receiving several hate threats. When she emerged, she was attacked by a group of five unknown men, sustaining serious facial and … More Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2015. SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno that provides new protections for transgender foster youth in California was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 731 ensures that all foster youth, including those who identify as transgender, are placed in appropriate homes where they… More California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner

October 06, 2015, Cross Blog from The Recorder. A federal appellate panel on Monday questioned whether California prison officials accelerated the release of a transgender female prisoner to avoid having to provide her with sex-reassignment surgery. In April, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of the Northern District of California ordered state officials to provide sex-reassignment… More Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner

Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

Leno Bills Ensuring Equal Benefits for Transgender Employees, | Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Pass Assembly Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2015. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed two bills authored by Senator Mark Leno that provide protections and equal benefits to transgender Californians. The first bill, SB 703, prohibits state agencies from doing… More Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

Aetna Denies Coverage for Trans Women Surgery Violating Colorado Law

A Colorado Transgender woman is demanding that Aetna Life Insurance Company cover her medically necessary gender reassignment surgery, noting that Aetna’s Coverage Denial Violates Colorado Law. Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 28, 2915. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is demanding that Aetna Life Insurance Company reverse its decision to deny coverage for… More Aetna Denies Coverage for Trans Women Surgery Violating Colorado Law

Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

TLDEF Applauds New York State Education Department for New Guidance Designed to Protect Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students from Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 21, 2015. New York, NY –The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commends the New York State Education Department for releasing comprehensive guidance to help ensure that transgender and… More Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

Disgusting AFA Article Blames Trans Teen for TLC Cancelling Duggar Show

By Melanie Nathan, July 20, 2015. Just when you thought they could not stoop any lower, the American Family Association finds its belly hitting the ground below that of the most slippery of worms! In an article on their website they in effect blame TLC’s decision to cut the Duggar show on a transgender teen… More Disgusting AFA Article Blames Trans Teen for TLC Cancelling Duggar Show

West Virginia Changes Policy for Trans Driver’s Licenses

Transgender West Virginians May Now Get Accurate Driver’s Licenses With Photos Reflecting Their True Selves Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 7, 2015 – West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)  can no longer tell Trans people how to dress for their photos in West Virginia. The Department has changed its license photo policy to allow… More West Virginia Changes Policy for Trans Driver’s Licenses

New York Attorney General Launches Transgender Medical Care Initiative

TLDEF Applauds New York Attorney General on Initiative to Ensure Equal Access to Medical Care for Transgender People By Melanie Nathan, May 18, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund commends New York Attorney General General Eric T. Schneiderman for launching a new initiative to ensure that transgender New Yorkers have equal… More New York Attorney General Launches Transgender Medical Care Initiative

Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Final Step in Process Ensures Transgender New Yorkers Have Access to Medically Necessary Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 19, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds news that transgender New Yorkers covered by Medicaid can now access the medically necessary health care they have been denied for nearly two decades. Governor… More Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Trans Woman Hunger Strike as South Africa refuses to Change Identity

Willing to die rather than live without authentic identity By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2014. Nadia Swanepoel from Gauteng South Africa is willing to die rather than to be forced to continue to live with the legal identification of a man. Swanepeol began transitioning to a woman over four years ago, has started a hunger… More Trans Woman Hunger Strike as South Africa refuses to Change Identity

Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative Art for Social Change | Zanele Muholi and Gabrielle Le Roux Posted by Melanie Nathan, January, 23, 2014. The Wits Art Museum, ( The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) in partnership with Wits Centre for Diversity Studies and Inkanyiso, is proud to announce the exhibition Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative… More Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days

And you thought refusal of service ended in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 23, 2013 In Massachusetts one of the legislative campaigns we are working on is the Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public.… More NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days

$300 billion in federal contracts granted where no LGBT job protections exist

20% of the American workforce is ‘dreaming and waiting’ for you, Mr. President…  By Cathy Kristofferson, April 10, 2013 Following the Supreme Court hearings on marriage equality, I wrote a piece here on this BLOG titled ‘Marriage is nothing without job protections’.  One of the described protections that could be put in place was an executive… More $300 billion in federal contracts granted where no LGBT job protections exist