Major changes in transgender rights are unfolding on multiple fronts, from military service to federal identification, as new polling shows significant shifts in public opinion and organizations grapple with membership policies.
Key developments:
Federal policy changes:
- Trump’s executive order defines sex as determined at birth
- Transgender applicants report passport rejections under new policy
- Military support for transgender service members has dropped significantly
- ACLU files lawsuit challenging passport changes on behalf of 1,500+ affected individuals
Public opinion shift:
- Military service support dropped from 71% in 2019 to 58% now
- Republican support fell sharply from 43% to 23%
- Independent support declined from 78% to 62%
- Democratic support remains steady around 85%
Private organizations affected: The DAR leadership has rejected a proposal to ban transgender women, highlighting how these debates affect private groups:
- Will continue accepting state-certified birth certificates
- No DNA testing requirement implemented
- Estimated 3,500 members left over transgender inclusion
Real-world impact: Reid Solomon-Lane, a Massachusetts father of three, exemplifies the personal stakes. After living as a man for 18 years, he says Trump’s passport policy threatens his family’s safety by forcing him to reveal his transgender status during travel.
What’s next:
- ACLU lawsuit challenges passport changes in federal court
- 22 states still allow gender identity choices on state documents
- Private organizations continue debating membership policies
- Legal battles expected over federal policy changes
The developments highlight America’s evolving and increasingly polarized debate over transgender rights, with federal policies, public opinion, and private organizations all wrestling with changing definitions of gender identity.
Read more:
• Daughters of American Revolution board rejects ban on biological males
• Transgender people challenge passport policy denying gender identity
• Gallup poll finds waning support for transgender soldiers
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
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