Trans News Watch
The Trans New Watch page by TGGuide is a resource created to report developments in the news that affect the transgender community. As the recently elected Trump administration has begun an aggressive attack to roll back trans rights, we are dedicated to keeping our members informed of the latest developments, as they occur. Awareness is critical during the attack on trans rights. The Trans News Watch page will be regularly updated to make sure our readers get the good news as well as the bad. We will provide links to the original sources for verification and additional information.
Action Being Taken
Lawmakers, trans advocacy groups, and legal experts have already started to act following the executive orders announced by President Donald Trump. They are fighting back in courts, state legislatures, and on the streets with the help of civil rights lawyers and LGBTQ+ organizations. This fight is far from over and we are standing with those who are fighting back against these oppressive measures. Everyone should report any form of discrimination that they notice or experience. Our voices should be heard in call for equality and justice.
History tells us that the transgender community is strong and resilient. Although the prospects look bleak, we will come out of this stronger and more united than before. It is crucial to put aside the differences now and stand with the rest of the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we are stronger. Together, we can defend ourselves against anyone who wants to take our rights and dignity away.
NATIONAL TRANS NEWS STORIES
Trump Administration Assault on Trans Rights
- The Attack on Transgender Rights (TGGUIDE.COM) March 15, 2025 – The Trump Administration’s executive orders and rhetoric are an overt effort to codify systemic discrimination, specifically targeting transgender people.
- Trump is Trying to Deny Coverage for Trans Health Care (LGBTQ Nation) March 24, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a proposed rule removing gender-affirming treatment from essential healthcare benefits covered by insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- Trump Shared An Article with a Pink Triangle Symbol (USA TODAY) March 15, 2025 – In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump shared an article with a promo image depicting a symbol previously used by Nazis to identify gay men during the Holocaust.
- President Signs Order Against Law Firm for Challenging His Trans Healthcare Ban (LGBTQ Nation) March 25, 2025 – The president signed an executive order targeting the law firm Jenner and Block because it is involved in a court case challenging his executive order banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
- Elon Musk Said His Daughter Was “Killed by the Woke Mind Virus” (LGBTQ Nation) March 24, 2025 – Elon Musk’s trans daughter Vivian Wilson epically clapped back after her anti-trans billionaire father misgendered her, deadnamed her, and declared she had “died.”
- Trump Presses Maine Governor for ‘Full Throated Apology’ After Trans Ahtlete Spat (The Hill) March 22, 2025 – Trump pressed Maine Gov. Janet Mills to issue a personal apology after their disagreement on his policy regarding transgender athletes in the state.
- Courts are Pumping the Brakes on Trump’s Anti-Trans Crusade (ACS Law) March 20, 2025 – Many brave transgender people and their allies are going to court in response to the Trump Administration’s assault targeting trans people. Those lawsuits are already starting to pay dividends.
- White House Pauses $175 million in UPenn Funding Over One Trans Athlete Who Doesn’t Even Go There Anymore (Them.us) March 20, 2025 – The school currently has no trans athletes competing on women’s teams in any sport, according to the Washington Post.
Transgender, Non-Binary and Intersex Passports
- New Visa Rules Target Transgender Individuals (HUSCH BLACKWELL) March 25, 2025 – A memo issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, titled “Guidance for Visa Adjudicators on Executive Order 14201: ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,’” introduces new U.S. visa policies that affect transgender individuals seeking entry into the U.S.
- Transgender Americans Aim to Block Trump’s Passport Policy Change (WTOP NEWS) March 25, 2025 – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the federal government on behalf of transgender passport holders and applicants.
- Save Trans Passports (TGGUIDE.COM) March 10, 2025 – The U.S. State Department is allowing for a very short period of public comment regarding the changes to federal guidelines for passports which restrict the ability of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary Americans to receive U.S. passports that accurately represent their gender identity.
The Fight Against Discrimination
- Kingdom v. Trump (TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER) March 17, 2025 – President Trump issued an executive order ordering federal government agencies to strip transgender people of any official acknowledgment and acceptance. This order specifically targeted incarcerated transgender people. Transgender Law Center has joined others in a class action suit.
- Harvard Doctors Sue Trump Administration Over Censoring LGBTQ+ Terms (ADVOCATE) March 15, 2025 – Two doctors and professors from Harvard Medical School are suing the Trump Administration over the removal of two research articles from a government website because they included the words “LGBTQ” and “trans(gender).”
- As a Transgender Person, Have You Been Impacted by Trump’s Executive Orders? (CNN) March 13, 2025 – Are you a transgender person who has been impacted by Trump’s executive orders? Has someone in your family been affected? Whether you’re seeking care for a trans child or you have been affected personally, CNN wants to hear your story.
- 82 U.S. House Members Demand Rejection of Trump’s Anti-Transgender Passport Policy (ADVOCATE) March 17, 2025 – Eighty-two members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed on to a letter opposing the implementation of the Trump administration’s anti-transgender passport policy.
Transgender Resources
- Relocation Loan Assistance (KESHET ONLINE) March 16, 2025 – Keshet and the Hebrew Free Loan Society are offering interest-free loans up to $10,000 to support relocation costs to another state because of anti-LGBTQ+ laws, policies, and climate in their current state of residence.
Transgender Veterans News
- Transgender Sailors and Marines Must Decide by March 28 to Leave Voluntarily (MILITARY.COM) March 14, 2025 – Transgender sailors and Marines who want to voluntarily separate before the military starts kicking them out have until March 28 to come forward, according to a new policy.
- VA Rescinds Transgender Veterans’ Health Guidance (NPR) March 14, 2025 – The Veterans Affairs Department on Friday reversed a policy that had protected gender-affirming healthcare provided to transgender veterans, causing confusion and fear in the community.
- Pentagon’s So-Called Waiver for Trans Troops is a Cruel Hoax (ADVOCATE) March 11, 2025 – The waiver language chillingly indicates that the government will aggressively attempt to identify anyone who is gender non-conforming, with the waiver available only to those who can demonstrate that they are not transgender.
- Transgender U.S. Troops Lawyers Hopeful Judge Will Block Trump’s Order (ANI NEWS) March 13, 2025 –
- Federal Judge Dismantles Trump’s Trans Military Ban (ADVOCATE) March 13, 2025 – A federal judge sharply questioned the Trump administration’s justification for banning transgender Americans from military service during a heated, five-hour hearing in Washington, D.C., highlighting contradictions, gaps, and inadequate preparation in the government’s arguments.
- Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Transgender Military Ban (ADVOCATE) March 18, 2025 – U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the administration’s policy likely violates the constitutional rights of transgender service members, finding that the government failed to provide evidence that banning them serves a legitimate military purpose.
- Another U.S. Judge Issues Temporary Ban on Trump’s Removal of Trans Service Members (Upper Michigan Source) March 24, 2025 – Federal judge Christine O’Hearn in New Jersey has issued a temporary ban on the removal of two trans men from the Air Force, following a similar ruling last week from a D.C. judge.
- Military Plans to Investigate GIs for “Symptoms” of Being Trans (TruthOut.org) March 23, 2025 – A court filing signals a shift from targeting openly trans troops to potentially investigating those who are closeted.
- California Judge Approves Landmark Settlement for Discharged LGBTQ+ Veterans’ Discharge Upgrades (Advocate) March 18, 2025 – The settlement could impact over 35,000 veterans receiving less-than-honorable discharges under the military’s old “don’t’ ask, don’t tell” and earlier anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Transgender Prisoners
- Federal Officials Force Transgender Women Into Men’s Prisons (ADVOCATE) March 10, 2025 – Despite a federal judge’s order blocking the Trump administration from transferring some transgender women to men’s prisons, the Bureau of Prisons is continuing the practice, putting incarcerated trans women at serious risk.
- Judge Orders Trump Administration to Return Two Trans Inmates to Women’s Prisons (AP News) March 19, 2025 – A judge has ordered the federal Bureau of Prisons to transfer 2 trans women inmates back to women’s prisons after they had been sent to men’s facilities.
STATE TRANS NEWS STORIES
- Transgender Texans Testify: ‘We’re Terrified of You’ (Dallas News) March 25, 2025 – Transgender Texans and LGBTQ allies warned lawmakers on Monday that a bill before them amounts to state-sanctioned bullying and could have fatal consequences if enacted.
- Georgia GOP Looks to Pass Religious Freedom Bill (Advocate) March 20, 2025 – Supporters will likely use it as a reason to pass anti-LGBTQ+ laws, further restrict reproductive rights, allow business owners to discriminate at their own discretion, and control educational materials in schools.
- City Council Declares Boston a ‘Sanctuary City’ for Transgender Community (NBC NEWS) March 13, 2025 – Boston City Council members voted 12-1 Wednesday to make Boston a sanctuary city for members of the transgender community.
- It’s Unlawful for Transgender People to Change the Sex on their IDs (HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA) March 14, 2025 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a vocal opponent of LGBTQ rights, issued an opinion Friday declaring court orders to change sex on driver’s licenses and birth certificates invalid and saying altered documents must be changed back.
- Republican Congressman Misgenders Trans Congresswoman Sarah McBride (USA TODAY) March 12, 2025 –
- Trans Woman Terrorized After South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace Mocks Her Online (ADVOCATE) March 18, 2025 – Virulent anti-trans congresswoman Nancy Mace’s attack (from her official congressional account) on a young trans woman has led to harassment, death threats, and doxxing attempts.
- Ohio State District Court of Appeals Blocks Ohio Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Minors (ACLU OHIO) March 18, 2025 – A three judge panel on the Tenth District Court of Appeals overturned House Bill 68, Ohio’s law banning gender-affirming medical care for trans youth.
- Kentucky Republicans Pass Veto-Proof Bill to Protect Conversion Therapy (ADVOCATE) March 18, 2025 – The Republican-dominated Kentucky legislature approved a bill protecting the use of (widely discredited) conversion therapy on minors in the state.
- Speaker Tells Oak Ridge League About the Cruelty of Targeting Trans Youth (OakRidger) March 24, 2025 – Some conservatives have targeted the LGBTQ+ community through more than 1,500 state-sponsored bills since 2018 in what some people call a “slate of hate,” according to Bean Chapman of Tennessee Equality Project.
- LGBTQ+ NonProfit Stakes Record Number of Trans Pride Flags (Fox13Now) March 23, 2025 – Led by Project Rainbow Utah, volunteers staked more than 1,800 transgender pride flags across Utah ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31.
- South Dakota Governor Signs Bill That Restricts Which Bathroom Trans People Can Use (KFGO.com) March 22, 2025 – A new law in South Dakota will restrict transgender people’s use of communal facilities in public schools and state-owned buildings starting July 1.
- Idaho – 9th Circuit Upholds Bathroom Ban, Says Trans Students Violate Cis People’s Privacy (Erin in the Morning) March 20, 2025 – The ruling asserts that the rights of cisgender people to not have a transgender person in the same bathroom are more important than the equal protection of trans students.
- Kentucky Governor Vows to Continue Standing Up for LGBTQ+ Kids (The Pink News) March 19, 2025 – Governor Andy Beshear has reaffirmed his commitment to LGBTQ+ rights after state GOP lawmakers ended a ban on so-called conversion therapy.
INTERNATIONAL TRANS NEWS STORIES
- U.S. Added to Global Human Rights Watchlist Over Reduced Civil Liberties (THE SOCIAL CTV) March 12, 2025 – The United States joins countries such as Congo, Pakistan, and Serbia in response to President Trump’s assault on constitutional freedoms.
- Hungary’s New Anti-LGBTQ+ Law Bans Pride Events and Sparks Protests (AP NEWS) March 18, 2025 – A new anti-LGBTQ+ law banning Pride events and allowing authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those attending the festivities was passed in Hungary.
- World Athletics Introduces Mandatory Sex Testing for Female Athletes (The Pink News) March 25, 2025 – The international athletics organization said that the tests come as part of its campaign to “protect women’s sports.”
- Nordic Countries Issue Travel Advisories for Trans Travelers to U.S. (Washington Examiner) March 21, 2025 – Denmark and Finland have issued travel advisory warnings to transgender and nonbinary-identifying citizens seeking to travel to the U.S.