Arcus Foundation’s Post

From PolitiFact: After decades of creating laws that assumed “sex” and “gender” were synonymous, lawmakers across the country are taking another look at how states define those terms. This focus on terminology may seem rhetorical, but legislative changes can restrict access to driver’s licenses and documents that match a person’s gender identity. Transgender rights advocates say that requiring IDs to match the sex a person was assigned at birth can expose transgender Americans to discrimination. So, how do we understand these terms, and what could these definitions mean for everyday life once codified? Read more from PolitiFact: https://lnkd.in/ep-UYftT

Disinformation is everywhere—even in The New York Times. In our committment to #ActiveAllyship, it's vital to scrutinize our sources, especially on sensitive issues like trans rights. Recently, The New York Times has faced criticism for disinformation in its coverage of trans issues, notably in articles by Pamela Paul. Journalists, professional organizations, and LGBTQ+ advocates have been urging The New York Times to improve its coverage of transgender issues, citing concerns about biased and inaccurate reporting that platforms anti-trans voices and spreads misinformation. Over 200 contributors and organizations like GLAAD have criticized the Times for its problematic language, failure to disclose sources' affiliations with anti-trans groups, and lack of transgender voices in its reporting. They call for fairer coverage, increased representation of trans voices, and adherence to journalistic standards to prevent harmful impacts on public perception and policy decisions affecting transgender individuals. Stay informed by seeking diverse perspectives and fact-checking rigorously. For an insightful breakdown of the latest Anti-Trans NYT article, check out Erin Reed’s analysis here. Please subscribe and support her work! #FactCheck #Disinformation #TransRights

In recent research concerning the corporate world, I couldn't help noticing, again and again, the near absence of females amongst the C-suite even in a highly civilised society such as the US. I suggested that we pursue this line of enquiry further, but my coauthors, all male, are disinterested. With the transgender rights movement, perhaps we will, not far from now, see the records of biological and physiological traits of the C-suite being altered. For example, we might see some or more of them declaring or making themselves "females" despite them being "male at birth". Will that promote the ratio of the "females at birth" amongst the C-suite"? If yes, I probably will be an ardent supporter for the transgender movement, if energy permits. https://lnkd.in/ef-kPubC

In the wake of last week's Supreme Court oral arguments, I wanted to elevate this analysis by the wonderful folks at The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, which clearly shows what's at stake: A decision in favor of Tennessee could embolden other states to enact similar bans, severely limiting access to essential healthcare for transgender youth. A decision against the ban could protect access to care and set an important precedent for transgender rights. To state the obvious, this case represents a critical moment for the transgender community. The Supreme Court's decision will have an indelible impact on the lives of transgender youth and their families. And now we wait . . . for six long months. During this time, watch the states with Republican-majority legislatures very closely as they fall over themselves to propose further restrictions that could become law if the Court rules in favor of Tennessee. #Skrmetti #TransRights #SupremeCourt #Equality #Healthcare #transgender #translivesmatter https://lnkd.in/gdatAJch

📢 New article highlights the suppression of dissent against transgender ideology. This insightful piece dives into the consequences of stifling diverse opinions on this critical issue. Essential reading for anyone interested in free speech and gender identity debates. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7egqkNS #FreeSpeech #GenderIdentity #TransgenderDebate #CityJournal #DiverseOpinions

Kerby Anderson Is much of the transgender ideology backfiring? Consider this recent poll by Pew Research. For the last seven years, they have been asking this question: “Which statement comes closer to your views? A) Whether someone is a man or a woman is determined by the sex they were assigned at birth, or B) Someone can be a man or a woman even if that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.” I acknowledge that the question is a bit convoluted and even uses the term “assigned at birth.” Even so, the percentage of Americans who picked the first option (we are determined by the sex assigned at birth) rose from 54 percent in 2017 to 65 percent today. Notice that this increase from a majority to nearly two-thirds took place when Americans have been pummeled with lots of transgender propaganda. Byron York is the chief political correspondent for the Washington Examiner. He reported that at last year’s Transgender Day of Visibility, the White House released a list of 42 action and policy initiatives the Biden Administration has taken to support transgender people. He also reminds us that “the Biden White House has gone all out even at a time when doctors in Europe have expressed growing concern about the lasting damage caused by the irreversible medical treatments known in some circles as gender-affirming care.” I am convinced that transgender ideology is backfiring. President Biden has put his full weight behind transgenderism, and the mainstream media have spent many hours promoting transgenderism. Yet the American people are less likely to accept some of tenets of transgender ideology than just a few years ago.

5. Project 2025 and a Potential Second Trump Presidency: Project 2025 outlines an even more extreme agenda regarding transgender rights. For example, it suggests labeling “transgender ideology” as pornography, which could lead to severe legal ramifications. It also proposes making teachers and counselors who discuss transgender identities liable as sex offenders. While many of these proposals may require Congressional approval, the rhetoric alone signals an aggressive approach to further curtailing transgender rights in education and public life. 6. Broader Impact of Anti-Trans Legislation: These measures don’t just target transgender individuals; they also affect cisgender women and people of color, particularly in the realm of sports and education. The anti-trans rhetoric used in policies is making it more difficult for low-income girls to access menstrual products and threatens diversity in spaces like jury pools. Moreover, these measures may complicate access to voting for trans people and others, signaling broader democratic implications. This anti-trans agenda, while framed as a direct attack on transgender individuals, actually threatens to dismantle various civil liberties and protections for a wide range of people, affecting how we engage with democracy and public life. It is essential to view these laws not just as isolated actions but as part of a broader campaign that has implications for everyone.

My Analysis and The Supreme Court Judgement on Transgender Rights: In this insightful judgement, the former Chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry aptly attempted to recognize the existence and rights of the transgenders in Pakistan as a third sex. Following are the main points in this judgement: -Their gender specification should be written on their CNIC's. -They should not be discriminated owing to their specific gender -Their existence should be celebrated as third sex. My Analysis: Since their existence, Trans people have traversed the earth with sufferings owing to their specific gender. They faced disregard from society, endured pain due to non recognition in laws of the state and apathy from political sphere dominated by men. As a progressive move has been made, ANP appointed Dr. Mehrub Awan as the First Transgender in Pakistani Political Party’s Central Cabinet. Their legal recognition by means Supreme Court judgement is widely celebrated as a courageous move. Their existance is fortified by The Transgender Persons Act 2018. These moves have emboldened trans community as a society full to the brim of vitality to change the outdated system based on traditional roles.✊

Do you know that after 100 years of advocacy there is still no provision in the US Constitution explicitly guaranteeing equal rights on the basis of sex? For a while, the 14th Amendment gave women and LGBTQ folks some protection (although sex equality never received the same level of protection as race or religion). But now, even that line of precedent is vulnerable. According to the conservative "originalist" majority on the Supreme Court -- if something's not explicitly in the Constitution (and/or wasn't the norm two hundred years ago), it doesn't exist and has no bearing on the law in 2024. We saw that in the Dobbs decision, where the Court dismissed the equality argument for reproductive rights in a footnote. (Contrast with the Supreme Court of Mexico, which recognized that the right to control one's own body is fundamental to liberty and sex equality). Even before Dobbs, the absence of a Constitutional right to equality based on sex has allowed Courts to limit or roll back laws designed to address violence against women, protect pregnant and parenting workers and students, eliminate sexual harassment, address disparate impact discrimination, or achieve equal pay. The Equal Rights Amendment provides a way forward. The ERA has been ratified by the required 2/3 of US states - all that is needed under the Constitution to be published as an amendment. But it has been stymied by a ten year deadline that was added by Congress in 1972. Last year, a resolution came before the Senate to recognize the fully ratified #EqualRightsAmendment as the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution, notwithstanding the arbitrary deadline. The GOP successfully blocked it. And so it sits. Unlikely to be published without significant pressure from the American public - the vast majority of whom support equal rights for women, girls and LGBTQ people - including Republicans. Please tell you representative that it's time to publish the ERA. Ask your friends what they know about the ERA and equal rights in the United States. We need to educate ourselves about this major gap in the US Constitution and what that means for ourselves, our sisters and daughters Vote for candidates who support gender equality. And sign our petition at Sign4ERA.org. #ERA #ERAYes #PublishERA #NotOneMoreYear