Identity

Federal Judge Upholds Iowa’s Gender Identity Restrictions for Young Students, Allows Non-Mandatory Programs and Clubs

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DES MOINES, Iowa — A federal judge has ruled that Iowa may continue its restrictions on teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation for students in kindergarten through the sixth grade, while also mandating that schools allow nonmandatory programs on these subjects. This ruling comes from U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher, who delivered a mixed verdict late Thursday in a case brought by LGBTQ advocacy groups, teachers, and students. In a previous ruling from March, Judge Locher had temporarily blocked another controversial element of the law, which sought to ban school libraries from offering books … Read more

Australian Court Denies Puberty Blockers for 12-Year-Old, Assigns Custody to Father in Landmark Gender Identity Case

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Sydney, Australia — A contentious custody case in Australia has culminated in a judge ruling against a mother who sought approval for her 12-year-old son to undergo puberty blockers, granting custody to the father instead. The case has sparked widespread debate over the rights of transgender youths and the role of parental consent in medical decisions involving children. In his decision, Judge Andrew Strum emphasized the child’s age and comprehension abilities as factors in postponing any medical intervention aimed at transitioning. Strum pointed out that the child might not be fully aware of the life-altering … Read more

Federal Judge Withholds Injunction Against NEA’s Funding Restrictions on Gender Identity Projects Amid Reevaluation

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Providence, R.I. — A federal judge has decided not to intervene with the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) current review of a Trump-era executive order that aims to restrict federal arts funding from supporting projects perceived to endorse certain views on gender. The order, which stirred significant concern among arts organizations, is presently under administrative scrutiny, with the NEA retracting its earlier enforcement pending a thorough policy assessment. The issue emerged vehemently after President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14168, which asserted a definition of “gender ideology” in contrast to biological sex, characterizing it … Read more

West Virginia Transgender Man Sues for Passport Gender Identity Recognition Amid Trump-Era Policy

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Charleston, WV — A recent lawsuit in West Virginia has catapulted issues surrounding transgender rights and federal identification back into the public arena. A transgender man from West Virginia has initiated legal action against a policy instituted during the administration of former President Donald Trump, which prohibits him from acquiring a passport that accurately reflects his gender identity. This legal case challenges regulations that demand transgender individuals to provide certain medical certifications to alter gender markers on official documents, a requirement that detractors argue is excessively burdensome and discriminates against transgender people. The plaintiff, who … Read more