Denmark and Finland Urge Caution for US-bound Transgender People

THE GUARDIAN: Travel advice updated amid reports of ordeals at US border after Trump said country would only recognise two genders

Denmark and Finland have updated their US travel advice for transgender people, joining the handful of European countries that have sought to caution US-bound travellers in recent weeks as reports emerge of ordeals at the American border.

Denmark said this week it had begun advising transgender travellers to contact the US embassy in Copenhagen before departure to ensure there would be no issues with travel documents.

The change came after Donald Trump made a priority of rolling back trans and non-binary rights, announcing that the US would only recognise two genders and signing off on executive orders that sought to exclude transgender people from the US military, limit their access to sport and curtail gender-transition procedures for people under the age of 19.

The Danish foreign ministry made no mention of Trump but noted that the application form for the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization allows travellers to choose only male or female. Danish law, in contrast, allows citizens to identify their gender as X. » | Ashifa Kassam | Friday, March 21, 2025

Elon Musk’s Daughter Says Father’s Rally Gesture Was ‘Definitely a Nazi Salute’

THE GUARDIAN: Vivian Jenna Wilson tells Teen Vogue she feels obliged to take stand for trans rights as Trump attacks community

Vivian Jenna Wilson, Elon Musk’s eldest child, has spoken out publicly about her father, saying that Musk “definitely [did] a Nazi salute” at two rallies in January and that he is part of a White House that’s “cartoonishly evil”.

In a new interview with Teen Vogue, her second interview with the media since she publicly denounced her father last year, Wilson, 20, said that the things her father has been doing in the federal government were “fucking cringe”.

“The Nazi salute shit was insane. Honey, we’re going to call a fig a fig, and we’re going to call a Nazi salute what it was,” Wilson said. “That shit was definitely a Nazi salute.”

Wilson entered the public eye last year after Musk spoke about her in a podcast, saying that he had been “tricked” into signing documents so that Wilson, who was 16 at the time, could receive gender-affirming medical treatment. » | Laureen Aratani | Thursday, March 20, 2025

BREAKING: Pentagon Says It Will Start Kicking Transgender People Out of Military This Month

ADVOCATE: While a federal judge considers blocking the policy altogether, the Pentagon is moving forward.

One day after Department of Justice lawyers struggled to explain the need for a ban on transgender people‘s service in the U.S. Armed Forces to a federal judge in Washington, D.C., the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts to purge transgender service members from the military have taken another step forward. The U.S. Department of the Navy has issued formal procedures for the removal of transgender personnel, filing the directive in federal court Thursday as part of an ongoing legal battle. The new guidance orders the Navy and Marine Corps to begin involuntary separations of service members with a history of gender dysphoria after March 28, two days after a previous March 26 deadline for voluntary separations—unless they obtain a so-called “waiver,” which, according to legal experts, is nothing more than an illusion. » | Christopher Wiggins | Thursday, March 13, 2025

Donald Trump Bans Trans People from Serving in the Military in Hateful Executive Order

LGBTQ NATION: His order says that no trans person is "honorable, truthful, and disciplined."

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transgender people from the military. The order refers to trans identity as a mental disorder that is selfish, dishonorable, deceitful and undisciplined. It gives the secretary of defense 60 days to implement its directives and will affect an estimated 8,000 trans soldiers. The order also comes at a time when the military is experiencing a recruitment shortage. The Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal have pledged to challenge the ban in court.

The directive follows others recently issued by Trump gutting the military branches’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, getting rid of military leadership that supported these efforts, and also follows an executive order from his first day in office directing the federal government to recognize only two “immutable sexes,” male and female. » | Daniel Villarreal | Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Tricked into Conversion Therapy in Russia for Being Trans | BBC News

Jul 29, 2024 | Transgender people in Russia have had their human rights systematically eroded, a UN independent expert has told the BBC.

One year after the country passed a law banning gender reassignment surgery, Graeme Reid said transgender Russians had been deprived of their “most basic rights to a legal identity and access to healthcare”.

BBC News Russian has spoken to two transgender people who said they had no choice but to flee their homeland.

If you, or someone you know has been affected by issues raised in this story, sources of support are available via the BBC Action Line.

Parents Who Refuse Children Gender Change Face Seven Years in Jail in Scotland

THE TELEGRAPH: SNP outlines proposal to ban 'conversion therapy' after its self-ID law was blocked by UK Government

Parents who refuse to allow their children to change gender would face up to seven years in jail under SNP plans to ban “conversion therapy”.

Proposals published on Tuesday state that actions designed to “change or suppress” another individual’s gender identity, causing them physical or psychological harm, would become illegal under the radical law.

SNP ministers acknowledged that so-called conversion practices often took place in a “family setting”, raising the prospect that parents could be criminalised if they refuse to go along with their child’s declaration that they are transgender.

Stopping someone from “dressing in a way that reflects their sexual orientation or gender identity” was put forward as an example of an action that would become illegal, even if a parent believed they were acting in a child’s best interests. » | Daniel Sanderson, Scottish Correspondent | Tuesday, January 9, 2024

This is absurd. The Scottish government must have taken leave of its senses. – © Mark Alexander

Teachers in England Will Have to Tell Parents If Children Question Their Gender

THE GUARDIAN: Kemi Badenoch says guidance will ensure parents know what is ‘going on with their children’ at school

Teachers will be forced to tell parents that their child is questioning their gender even if the young person objects under new guidance for schools in England, the equalities minister has indicated.

Kemi Badenoch said that the guidance, which is expected to be published this week, will ensure that parents know what is “going on with their children” at school.

Under the new plans, headteachers are expected to be told that parents must always be consulted if a child wants to be called another name, or wear a different uniform. It has also been suggested that schools will not be able to use the child’s new preferred pronouns until parents give their consent.

The guidance advises teachers that any pupil who wants to self-identify as a different gender should first undergo a period of reflection, according to reports. » | Pippa Crerar, Political editor | Monday, July 17, 2023

Transgender in Pakistan | DW Documentary

Apr 12, 2023 | Sunny is a trans person living in Pakistan. She begs in order to survive. Others get by as sex workers or dancers.

Trans people in Pakistan are frequently cast out by their families and live in poverty. They can find safe spaces and a new family in special centers. Here, they do not have to hide and discover that they are not alone in their fight for survival and recognition in Pakistan’s conservative society. Only around 10 thousand people of Pakistan’s population of 220 million are officially counted as members of the “third gender,” yet it’s estimated that the true figure may be as high as 300 thousand.

Court Battle Looms as UK Ministers Block Scottish Gender Recognition Law

THE GUARDIAN: Nicola Sturgeon says her government will ‘vigorously defend’ legislation by seeking judicial review of decision

The UK and the Scottish governments appear set on a major court battle on constitutional powers after Westminster ministers formally blocked a law passed by Scotland’s parliament creating a self-identification system for people who want to change gender.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said the decision by Alister Jack, the Scottish secretary, would “inevitably end up in court”. Announcing the decision to the Commons, Jack also said he expected the issue to be decided this way.

Jack told MPs he was making the so-called section 35 order under the 1998 Scotland Act, which created the devolved parliament, which meant the gender recognition reform Scotland bill would not receive royal assent.

The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, said the decision to use a section 35 order marked “a very dangerous moment”, adding: “I agree with the first minister of Scotland that this could be a very slippery slope indeed.” » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Tuesday, January 17, 2023
ALSO READ:

Conversion practices ban will include transgender people, Donelan confirms: Latest government U-turn on policy comes amid row over Scotland’s gender recognition bill »

London will Gender-Gesetz in Schottland verhindern: Transpersonen sollen in Schottland bald einfacher ihren Geschlechtseintrag ändern dürfen. Gegen das Gesetz hat die Regierung in London ein Veto eingelegt. Nun droht ein langer Rechtsstreit. »

Episode 159 (Part 3): Kris and Kay Packer | Loving, Learning, and Living

Premiered Apr 7, 2022| For the Packer’s, love and connection brought them together—and it was honesty and authenticity that helped their love and connection flourish. In this fascinating story of love and transformation, Kay and Kris share their early dating experiences—and marriage as a lesbian couple. It was later in that marriage that Kris transitioned as a transgender male. As the couple loved, they learned—and as they learned, they lived.

Kay Packer | My Lesbian Mormon Love Story Episode 157 (Part 1)

Kris Packer | From Wife to Husband: A Story of My Journey: Episode 158 (Part 2)

Kris Packer | From Wife to Husband: A Story of My Journey

Premiered Mar 30, 2022 | Kris Packer has a long Mormon history. His father, Lynn is a Mormon historian, and Kris’ great-uncle is apostle Boyd K. Packer.

What happens when you come out to your family as a lesbian, but as life progresses, your journey through love and connection helps you to connect the dots and come to understand that you are also transgender?

Kris had great family support through his life and even through the learning, bumpy stages, found connection and love in even the least-likely spaces.

In this episode Kris discusses his family relationship, meeting his wife Kay, working in public education—and then gender transitioning as a school principal. How does his school and students react?

First Openly Gay Saudi on Changing Status of LGBT in Kuwait

Feb 18, 2022 | 'Kuwait and the Arab Gulf have been violating the LGBTQ community's rights for many years'

Days after Kuwait’s constitutional court struck down a law that criminalizes “imitation of the opposite sex” - considered a breakthrough for the regional transgender community - journalist and international rights activist Wajeeh Lion spoke with i24NEWS about the implications such a move has on the LGBTQ community in the Arab world.

“It might be a very small step in the right direction. Kuwait and the Arab Gulf have been violating the LGBTQ community's rights for many years,” Lion said.

Chase Strangio: Alabama Ban on Trans Youth Healthcare Is Part of Wider GOP Attack on Bodily Autonomy

May 30, 2022 • Alabama has become the first U.S. state to make it a felony to provide gender-affirming medical care to trans youth. The Alabama law is the latest in a series of escalating conservative attacks on LGBTQ people in the United States. "This is all happening in the same context that we're seeing the criminalization of abortion care, that we're continuing to see the massive suppression of votes across the country," says ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, deputy director for trans justice with the organization's LGBTQ & HIV Project. "All of these things are interconnected and creating chaos and fear among individuals, families and communities."

Donald Trump ridiculed for saying teachers shouldn’t ‘teach transgender’ to kids: Former US president Donald Trump – clearly with nothing better to do – has once again attacked trans people at a hate-filled rally. »

Disney Heir Comes Out Publicly as Transgender, Condemns Anti-LGBTQ Bills

Charlee Corra speaks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner on March 12 in Los Angeles. Randy Shropshire / Getty Images
NBC NEWS: Charlee Corra, a high school science teacher, regrets not having done more to advocate against Florida’s bill limiting LGBTQ classroom discussion.

Charlee Corra, a member of the Disney family, came out publicly as transgender and condemned anti-LGBTQ bills in a recent interview.

Corra, who uses "he" and "they" pronouns, announced that their family would match up to $250,000 in donations to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBTQ advocacy group, during the organization's annual gala in Los Angeles last month.

Roy P. Disney, Corra's stepfather and the grandson of Roy O. Disney, a co-founder of The Walt Disney Company, upped that amount to $500,000 last week.

“Equality matters deeply to us,” Disney said in a statement, according to the Los Angeles Times, “especially because our child, Charlee, is transgender and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Disney also said the family was "heartbroken" when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics have dubbed the "Don't Say Gay or Trans" bill because it prohibits classroom instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity with students in grades K-3 or in a way deemed developmentally or age inappropriate.

Corra, a high school biology and environmental science teacher, told the L.A. Times that the HRC gala was sort of a public coming out for them, since they had come out privately as trans four years ago. » | Jo Yurcaba | Monday, April 11, 2022

Kurdish Transgender Woman Shot by Brother Had Been Hiding from Family

THE GUARDIAN: Friends of Doski Azad said the 23-year-old makeup artist had received repeated death threats from male family members

Doski Azad who had been supporting herself by working as a makeup artist since her family turned her back on her as a teenager.
The Kurdish transgender woman Doski Azad shot dead by her brother last month, had been living in hiding from her family after repeated death threats, friends have said.

According to friends, Azad had had to move home regularly after several death threats by male members of her family.

Three weeks ago, her body was found dumped in a ditch outside of the city of Duhok, in the Iraqi autonomous Kurdistan region. Her hands had been tied and she had been shot twice. Police have issued an arrest warrant for her brother, who is believed to have travelled from his home in Germany to carry out the killing. » | Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Monday, February 21, 2022

Gay and Christian? : A documentary / Homosexuell und Christ? : Ein Dokumentarfilm

Oct 14, 2016 • Gay and christian? - a documentary Hardly any other topic is so controversial and heats the minds of Christians more than the subject of homosexuality. The arguments against homosexuality are quickly at hand.

Even more problematic is when a homosexual claims to be a Christian. Can you be gay and Christian? Are these not two completely opposite identities? Few bother to conduct their own research on the subject. Not many take the time to listen just once what the homosexuals, who often are judged so hard, have to say and how their life is like. This film wants to do exactly that: it gives gays, lesbians, transgender and their parents a chance to speak.

What is it like to be in her shoes? Why are they gay? Was it a conscious choice? Have they ever tried to change? How can they find peace with their sexuality, with the Church and with God? A challenging documentary which does not condemn, but calls for mutual respect, love and reconciliation.

Übersetzt ins Deutsche:

Homosexuell und Christ? - Ein Dokumentarfilm Wohl kaum ein anderes Thema ist so kontrovers und erhitzt die Gemüter der Christen mehr als das Thema Homosexualität. Die Argumente gegen Homosexualität sind schnell zur Hand.

Es ist eine Wahl.
Es ist eine Sünde.
Die Bibel ist klar gegen Homosexualität.
Durch Therapie können Homosexuelle geheilt werden.

Noch problematischer wird es, wenn ein Homosexueller behauptet, Christ zu sein. Kann man denn homosexuell und Christ sein? Sind das nicht zwei völlig gegensätzliche Identitäten? Nur wenige machen sich die Mühe, eigene Nachforschungen zu dem Thema anzustellen. Nicht viele nehmen sich die Zeit, sich einfach mal anzuhören, was die Homosexuellen, über die so oft so hart geurteilt wird, zu erzählen haben und wie ihr Leben aussieht.

Dieser Film will genau das tun: Er lässt Schwule, Lesben, Transgender und ihre Eltern zu Wort kommen.

Wie ist es, in ihrer Haut zu stecken? Wieso sind sie homosexuell? War es eine bewusste Wahl? Haben sie je versucht, sich zu ändern? Wie können sie Frieden mit ihrer Sexualität, mit der Kirche und mit Gott finden?

Ein herausfordernder Dokumentarfilm, der nicht verurteilt, sondern zu gegenseitigem Respekt, Liebe und Versöhnung aufruft.

Attacking Stonewall for Defending Trans Rights Is a Slippery Slope

THE GUARDIAN: The gender wars are being fuelled by a Tory government – don’t let infighting destroy the LGBTQ+ community’s greatest champion

A Pride message at Piccadilly Circus, central London, on 27 June to commemorate the Stonewall uprising of 1969. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Getty Images
The UK’s national LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall, has recently been accused of advocating for trans rights. Six years ago, there was another “Stonewall question”, but the issue wasn’t whether the organisation should be advocating for trans rights, but instead why it wasn’t.

For those of us who remember these fights, it’s discombobulating to witness a reframing of Stonewall as a sinister organisation that sneaked trans rights on to its agenda when nobody was looking. The very opposite was the case: it was hard won. Many petitions were circulated, letters written and debates had. The inclusion of trans men, trans women and all transgender people eventually followed in 2015.

Stonewall public campaigns, training, policy, work with employers and sports organisations, for example, included trans and transgender people. They could seek advice if they faced discrimination at work, in housing or health provision. For many people, this was an obvious broadening out of the title, to reflect the solidarity and diversity that already had long existed in LGBTQ+ communities, clubs, organisations and social groups. » | Finn Mackay | Monday, December 20, 2021

Simona, die queere Weinmacherin | Friederike klopft an (3/3) | SWR Doku

Aug 20, 2021 • Simona hieß als Kind noch Simon. Nach dem plötzlichen Tod des Vaters hat sie sehr jung Verantwortung für das Weingut übernommen, wurde Winzerin und Weinprinzessin. Wie geht das, anders sein, als die anderen – und trotzdem akzeptiert werden? Friederike Kempter stammt aus Freudental im Landkreis Ludwigsburg und lebt heute als Schauspielerin und Mutter in der Großstadt Berlin. Für drei Mini-Dokus des SWR kehrt sie als Host des neuen Formats „Friederike klopft an“ in den Südwesten zurück. Dort trifft sie Frauen um die 40 aus dem SWR Sendegebiet mit besonderen Lebensgeschichten wie eine queere Winzerin und eine streitbare Hebamme. Besondere Persönlichkeiten, die nicht den Mut verlieren und ihren Weg gehen – gerade dort, wo Frauen es schwerer haben als Männer. Wie haben sie es geschafft, Widerstände zu überwinden – und die zu werden, die sie sind: mutig, lebensklug und durchsetzungsstark? Die Portraitierten geben Friederike Kempter einen spannenden Einblick in das, was Frauen alles schaffen können, auch gegen gängige Vorurteile.

Dozens Arrested in Los Angeles as Anti-trans Protest Outside Spa Turns Violent

THE GUARDIAN: Wi Spa, a Koreatown business with a trans-inclusive policy, has become the target of a rightwing media storm

Dozens of people have been arrested in Los Angeles following a chaotic and at times violent demonstration by anti-transgender protesters who targeted a Koreatown spa that has a trans-inclusive policy allowing trans women to use women’s facilities.

Saturday marked the second weekend of violent protests this month in the streets around Wi Spa, a neighborhood business that has found itself at the heart of a right-wing media storm over an alleged incident in which a customer filmed herself complaining about a trans woman in the women’s area of the spa.

The far-right protesters called for a boycott of Wi Spa and chanted baseless claims about paedophilia, as women carrying signs reading “protect female spaces” and “It’s worse in women’s shelters” marched alongside men wearing helmets and masks that covered their faces. » | Lois Beckett and Sam Levin in Los Angeles | Sunday, July 18, 2021

Hungary Votes to End Legal Recognition of Trans People

THE GUARDIAN: Activists say new law will increase discrimination, especially as Hungarians must often display their ID cards

Hungary’s parliament has voted to end legal recognition for trans people, passing a bill that rights activists say pushes the country “back towards the dark ages”.

The new law defines gender as based on chromosomes at birth, meaning previous provisions whereby trans people could alter their gender and name on official documents will no longer be available.

The votes of rightwing prime minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party pushed the legislation through by 134 to 56, with four abstentions. It is likely to be signed into law by the president, János Áder, a close ally of Orbán. » | Shaun Walker in Budapest | Tuesday, May 19, 2020