Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old biracial transgender man, was murdered in upstate New York this month. Anti-trans violence is sadly nothing new, but the brutal death of this young man, whom classmates describe as “a friend without limits,” feels particularly horrific, underscoring the need to keep fighting against anti-trans policies and rhetoric.
This roundup looks at further negative impacts of recent executive orders, but also at another lawsuit against them, the introduction of positive legislation in two states, and some celebrity moments of queer joy.
This week has seen a steady stream of appalling, transphobic executive orders from the new administration. We shouldn’t minimize the harm these will cause—but we can find some hope in the actions already being taken to stop them.
A lawsuit has been filed challenging Monday’s executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. One of the plaintiffs is an Army officer, trans woman, and parent—reminding us that the many harms from this ban extend to children and families.
Newbery honoree Kyle Lukoff’s new middle grade novel is the tale of a Jewish, transgender boy trying to save the world from anti-trans demons. That alone should be enough to commend it. But it’s also much more: a powerful story of self-growth, the many ways of transformation, and the complexity of human relationships.
The defense funding bill passed yesterday by the U.S. Senate includes a provision that would severely restrict service members with transgender children from providing them with all care that may be deemed medically necessary. It is now up to President Biden to decide whether to sign it.
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case brought by transgender adolescents and their families against a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care for trans youth. ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio, who is also a dad, will be arguing before the court, the first out trans person to do so.
Today marks the 25th Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we honor the lives of those who died because of anti-transgender hatred or prejudice, and ensure they are remembered with dignity and respect. I wish all of my transgender friends and readers love and support on this day of mourning.
In celebration of Transgender Awareness Week, but good for reading all year long, here are reviews of some of my favorite picture, middle grade, and grown-up books from 2024 that feature trans youth or trans parents (and sometimes both).
Happy Trans Parent Day to all transgender parents! May it be a time of joy and love. In honor of the occasion, here are some recent readings and a movie that showcase just a few of the many lives of trans parents.
