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Dextra DeVovo
Corporate attorney by day, she transforms into a drag queen at night. That’s the story of Dextra DeNovo, a San Francisco attorney who turned to drag as a way to get past a divorce. Now DeNovo performs at drag shows after a day of dealing with legal matters. She says that the recent attacks on drag performers don’t scare her from being out. Learn more from NBC.
U.S. District Judge Jay Moody ruled that the ban on gender-affirming care for minors in Arkansas is unconstitutional. He had previously issued an injunction, preventing the law from being enforced until a trial was held. This ruling should be binding, although there is likely to be an appeal. The Associated Press has this story.
Federal judge Robert Hinkle has ruled that the new Florida law forbidding the state’s Medicaid program from paying for gender-affirming care violates the Affordable Care Act and equal protection under the law. He wrote, “Gender identity is real,” reiterating a statement he made two weeks ago, when he issued an injunction against Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. This story comes from the Associated Press.
The state of New Jersey is suing three school districts over their policy on transgender students. The districts require teachers to inform the parents if their child changes gender presentation in school, whereas the state has a policy of forbidding teachers from informing parents. Politico has this story.
New York state’s Department of Education issued a new guidance on how to deal with transgender students. The new guidance enhances the rights of trans students. This story comes from CNN.
Stacie Marie Laughton
Stacie Marie Laughton, who was the first transgender woman elected to state office in New Hampshire, has been arrested on charges of possession of child pornography, according to MaineWire.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order making the city a sanctuary city for transgender people. The order is a promise to protect gender-affirming care and to protect those who provide gender-affirming care. LGBTQ Nation has this story.
The Equality Act was reintroduced in Congress. While supporters of this legislation feel it is overdue, it is highly unlikely to even reach the floor in the House of Representatives this year or next, given the current composition of the House. This story comes from The Advocate.
A pair of anti-transgender bills advanced to the floor of the Ohio House of Representatives. Statehouse News has a profile of state Representative Jamie Callender, the only Republican to vote against the measures.
As part-time state legislatures adjourn for the year, Associated Press reports that the fight for transgender rights is now moving to the courts.
Paris Lees
The BBC announced it will film Paris Lees’ novel What It Feel Like For A Girl. It’s a fictionalized autobiography about coming of age as a transgender woman. PinkNews has this story.
While several court rulings have protected the rights of transgender people, a federal judge in Tennessee dismissed a suit in which transgender plaintiffs tried to change the gender on their birth certificates. The Associated Press has this story.
Former Governor Chris Christie has become the first Republican candidate for President to oppose bans on gender-affirming care for minors. CNN has this story.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has turned over records of transgender patients to to the office of the Tennessee Attorney General. That office is investigating potential billing fraud. Some are suspicious, as this investigation comes after the state banned gender-affirming care for minors, and these records could be used to help enforce that ban. This story comes from the Associated Press.
Artemis Langford
Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority responded to a suit by seven members of the University of Wyoming chapter, who say that the admission of a transgender female, Artemis Langford, violates state law. The national sorority has filed a motion to dismiss that suit. CBS News has this story.
Fifteen state Attorneys General have signed an open letter to Target, saying that the retailer should not have pulled its Pride merchandise. This story comes from Them.
A leaked video of U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak making fun of transgender women was revealed, according to PinkNews.
The Associated Press has a story about the difficulties of raising a transgender child in socially-conservative Poland.
Ontay Johnson is an ordained minister and father of three. One of his daughters is transgender. His religion teaches patience and acceptance, among its core values. He accepts his transgender daughter, Kiah, now 25 years old. CNN has a profile.
Nature magazine has a story about how some transgender scientists have achieved acceptance in their professions.
Trans News Now is assembled by Cecilia Barzyk with additional content and editing by Angela Gardner.
Category: Transgender Community News
