The Trump administration is considering narrowing the definition of gender as a biological condition determined by the genitalia a person is born with.
The move will reverse an Obama-era policy that gave federal recognition to transgender individuals. The Obama administration recognized gender as an individual’s choice, where it expanded the legal concept of gender in programs that included education and health care. Now, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says that government agencies need to adopt a uniform definition. According to The New York Times, the HHS wants to establish a definition of sex under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that bans gender discrimination in education programs that receive federal financial assistance. Some conservative groups are praising the move by the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, other civil rights organizations are condemning it arguing that the administration's effort will undermine the rights and welfare of LGBTQ people. The proposed policy will reignite debates over bathrooms, dormitories and other arenas. What do you think of the Trump administration’s move to reverse the Obama-era policy and define gender as fixed by genitalia at birth? Call us at 866- 893-5722 and weigh in.
Guests:
Erica L. Green, education correspondent for The New York Times, who has been reporting on the changes to Title IX
Sasha Buchert, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, in the D.C. office; she tweets
Brad Dacus, president and founder of Pacific Justice Institute, a Sacramento-based legal defense organization defending civil liberties