Medically necessary
A victory for trans health care is a victory for all health care.
If you didn’t get a chance to read my bonus issue this weekend, I hope you’ll take a look. It’s a bit long, but I try to walk you through just how insidious the Trump administration’s argument is that the Supreme Court should allow anti-trans discrimination in the workplace.
Also, speaking of long-reads, go read everything in the New York Times’ 1619 Project. There’s a lot to digest there, but it’s all part of a vital clarification of our heritage.
Onto this week’s LGBTQ news:
Trans health care victory in Wisconsin
A federal judge in Wisconsin has overturned the state’s prohibition of “transsexual surgery” coverage for Medicaid recipients. U.S. District Judge William Conley explained that the ban discriminates on the basis of sex in violation of protections in the Affordable Care Act — protections the Trump administration is trying to rescind.
“There is now a consensus within the medical profession that gender dysphoria is a serious medical condition, which if left untreated or inadequately treated can cause adverse symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, serious mental distress, self-harm and suicidal ideation,” he wrote.
Conley had previously issued a temporary injunction against the ban last year.
This decision follows a victory in another case last year challenging Wisconsin’s health policy for state employees, which similarly prohibited transition-related health care. I interviewed the plaintiffs in that monumental case after they won if you’re curious to learn more about what it was like to not be able to receive the care they needed.
Log Cabin fallout
Since the Log Cabin Republicans endorsed Trump last week, several members of the organization have begun to disassociate from it. Casey Pick detailed her past service to the organization and implored, “Don’t call me a Log Cabin Republican.” Robert Turner, former president of the DC chapter, withdrew his membership, calling the endorsement “a step too far.”
Disgusting: An ex-gay pride march by Pulse
Boston Straight Pride is definitely happening, Modesto Straight Pride may or may not be happening, but now comes news of an even more disturbing march. Two of the survivors of the deadly shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando now identify as ex-gay and are planning an ex-gay march nearby.
The trauma of gun violence has unexpected consequences.
Alabama HS objects to student’s tuxedo
Holley Gerelds wore a tux for her senior portrait at Springville High School in Alabama. But when the yearbook arrived, it said “not pictured” next to her name. The superintendent explained the decision to exclude her by claiming that the portraits “were taken in accordance with long-standing school guidelines.” Gerelds responded to the discrimination without surprise: “I hate to say it, but I’m used to it. I saw it coming.”
Family Research Council:
The Southern Poverty Law Center did a little check-in to see if the Family Research Council still meets its criteria as an anti-LGBTQ hate group. It sure does!
Palestinian Authority bans LGBTQ activities
The Palestinian Authority has banned LGBTQ activities in the West Bank in response to a group called Al-Qaws, which was organizing a gathering of LGBTQ Paelstinians. Luay Zreikat, a spokesperson for the PA Police, said such activities are “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society” and “create discord and harm civic peace in Palestinian society,” explaining that members of the group will be arrested.
U.S. conservatives are already using the decision to shore up their defense of the Israeli occupation, as well as to take swipes at lawmakers who who have criticized Israel. Given their own opposition to LGBTQ equality, however, their attempts haven’t been particularly effective.
More Polish homophobia
The divisive homophobia in Poland is not dying down at all. The latest comments come from Jaroslaw Kaczyński, head of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, who described recent LGBTQ marches as a “travelling theatre” taking a “hard offensive” against the country. “We are the ones who are harmed by this,” he said, “It must me unmasked and discarded.” He didn’t elaborate on what he meant by “discarded,” except to say the law should “regulate these matters.”
Homophobia pauses French soccer match
For the first time ever, a referee paused a soccer match in France to wait for fans to stop shouting homophobic chants. Specifically, they were chanting, “La Ligue, on t’encule,” which roughly translates to “Fuck you in the ass, League.” Minister of Sport Roxana Maracineanu said earlier this year there would be sanctions for teams whose fans engage in homophobia, but many insisted such homophobia was essential to the game. She applauded referee Mehdi Mokhtari for waiting for the chant to stop, and said she hopes it never happens again.
Protester crashes drag queen story hour with hate
I don’t know about y’all, but I personally think that telling a bunch of kids than they’re going to Hell is a lot more damaging than reading kids’ books to them. But this protester who crashed a drag queen story time in Ottawa felt differently:
Ottawa mayor comes out
Speaking of Ottawa, which you may remember is the capital of Canada, its mayor just came out as gay. Mayor Jim Watson said he regrets hiding his sexuality, and he hopes his decision to finally speak openly helps others. “Don’t feel pressured or rushed to come out,” he advised, “but don’t wait 40 years either.”
Why aren’t you watching Pose?
Pose continues to be amazing and inclusive television. If you didn’t see last week’s, you missed Elektra opening the library on this transphobic housewife at a beach club. While it’s incredible reading, it also contains a powerful message about womanhood and the way transgender women have struggled against oppression. #ClearYourThroat #Lubricate
Until next time, stay platinum!
(Pulse nightclub photo credit: Me, Zack Ford, during a visit in March 2017.)