On October 21, 2018, The New York Times published an article revealing that the Trump Administration is yet again targeting transgender individuals by taking steps to erase transgender individuals from federal definitions of sex or gender. According to a memo obtained by The New York Times, the Administration is seeking to narrowly define gender as “biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth,” essentially defining sex as unchangeably either male or female. The memo is reportedly authored by Department of Health and Human Services, which is allegedly spearheading this effort GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS and GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, issued the following statement in response:
“GLMA stands in solidarity with the transgender community in opposition to this heartless and extremist move by the Trump Administration that will only harm millions of transgender individuals, women, and intersex people. Reducing gender to an unchangeable, binary construct determined by one’s genitalia at birth is contradictory to the prevailing view of healthcare providers and their professional societies that have reviewed the science and medicine.
“GLMA, along with all leading professional healthcare associations, have affirmed the lives and identities of transgender people by supporting nondiscrimination in the care of transgender patients and removing barriers to medically necessary care. These organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and many others, recognize that gender is non-binary and cannot be determined solely by the sex one is assigned at birth.
“GLMA and healthcare providers around the country stand united in their support for recognizing the dignity and humanity of transgender people. This proposed rule is tantamount to a complete erasure of transgender individuals, and cannot be allowed to move forward.
“GLMA will do everything in its power to ensure health experts are the driving force behind policy that promotes equitable and equal treatment for transgender individuals in healthcare and beyond. Trans people can’t and won’t be erased.”
GLMA joined many organizations on October 22, 2018 for a rally led by the National Center for Transgender Equality, to voice opposition to this latest move by the Administration. GLMA Immediate Past President Jesse Joad, MD, MS spoke on behalf of GLMA. See the full video of her remarks below:
