The federal judge ruled that transgender people's passport changes do not, as the Trump executive order stated, deprive the "dignity, safety, and well-being of women."
This is not only good news, it’s incredibly important, maybe the best news in many weeks. We really need that class certification, though. And I’m worried that the administration may try to appeal this to a less friendly higher court.
The idea of forcibly reverting gender markers on passports that already had them changed years/decades ago is unspeakably cruel. When it first started happening, my jaw dropped to the floor. It reeks of animus, and I am glad this court saw that. Having the wrong gender marker on a passport is not only cruel, it can subject the traveler to danger - especially in certain countries where such could be viewed as “impersonating a female”, thus subjecting them to imprisonment, flogging, or worse. I do not know how the workers in the state department who did this to passport applicants can live with themselves.
Hopefully the class certification proceeds and then those who got trapped in this can get their passports fixed, and travel safely. Many of us renewed during the Biden administration and so are good for 8-10 years anyway.
Remember that you can do virtually nothing in society without valid ID. The Nazis understood this and that is why they attacked the IDs of Jewish people in 1930s Germany, long before anyone was herded into a camp.
"This is not only good news, it’s incredibly important, maybe the best news in many weeks. We really need that class certification, though. And I’m worried that the administration may try to appeal this to a less friendly higher court."
The good news is, this case was in Massachusetts, so it would appeal up to the 1st circuit next, with has 4 Biden appointees and 1 Obama appointees.
SCOUTS of course is a stickier wicket. I hold out a little hope though. Here's why -
Gorsuch and Roberts both voted for Bostock, making employment discrimination for sexual orientation or gender identify illegal.
US vs. Skermetti (Tennessee gender affirming care ban for minors) will get a decision in June. In the oral arguments, it was pretty clear Roberts wasn't with us. Gorsuch said nothing (he usually doesn't) and didn't reveal his hand. Barrett seemed to be giving some serious thought to whether transgender people should be a protected class.
Additionally, Tennessee was pretty effective at concealing transgender animus. Trump's Executive Orders, all of them, are dripping with animus (the Judge on the military ban case actually said that). Even if we don't win at SCOTUS on Skermetti (which would be awful), they might be willing to ignore the enormous about of animus in Trump' EOs. If Trump's EO assault fails, we're back to at least having blue states as safe havens.
The addition of the "J" marker to German-Jewish passports and Kennkarten didn't actually take place until October 1938. An important step -- partially taken at the request of the Swiss, to make it easier for them to turn away Jews trying to escape to Switzerland.
Same. Just finalized updating my pharmacist & last insurance carrier yesterday — got my very first prescription with my chosen name on it 🥳 🙌🏼 🥳 🙌🏼 🥳 — so I am now wide open & primed to jump on this the second I can!
Thank GOD the courts are still on our side and are still applying the Constitution in their rulings. Trump's EO's are BLATANTLY unconstitutional and are the literal definition of "animus". And not a single woman on EARTH is harmed by the existence of trans people. PERIOD.
At last a step, a small step, in the Correct direction! We The People have No Room For Hate in this Country! You MAGATS want to hate then you can go live in Russia and take the Orange Slime with you!
I changed the gender marker on mine almost 20 years ago, and have almost 3 years left before the current one expires. I really hope this is definitively resolved in our favor before it expires. I don't want to risk trying to renew it until that happens.
I'm in the same boat! Fortunately, I expect I will have a European passport by then, but I won't be able to travel on it to the US because of the non-birth gender marker (which could get me detained - with MEN).
GREAT piece, Erin. Thanks for this lucid and helpful breakdown of the judge’s ruling. Let this be the first of more good rulings in favor of equity and respect.
This is the first news that’s given me hope I’ve read in a long time.
Yea, I wasn’t expecting to feel hopeful today. But this did it.
HOOH. Thank god. At least I know I have the option to leave now if I must.
Can we all go together and start a co-op?
This is not only good news, it’s incredibly important, maybe the best news in many weeks. We really need that class certification, though. And I’m worried that the administration may try to appeal this to a less friendly higher court.
The idea of forcibly reverting gender markers on passports that already had them changed years/decades ago is unspeakably cruel. When it first started happening, my jaw dropped to the floor. It reeks of animus, and I am glad this court saw that. Having the wrong gender marker on a passport is not only cruel, it can subject the traveler to danger - especially in certain countries where such could be viewed as “impersonating a female”, thus subjecting them to imprisonment, flogging, or worse. I do not know how the workers in the state department who did this to passport applicants can live with themselves.
Hopefully the class certification proceeds and then those who got trapped in this can get their passports fixed, and travel safely. Many of us renewed during the Biden administration and so are good for 8-10 years anyway.
Remember that you can do virtually nothing in society without valid ID. The Nazis understood this and that is why they attacked the IDs of Jewish people in 1930s Germany, long before anyone was herded into a camp.
"This is not only good news, it’s incredibly important, maybe the best news in many weeks. We really need that class certification, though. And I’m worried that the administration may try to appeal this to a less friendly higher court."
The good news is, this case was in Massachusetts, so it would appeal up to the 1st circuit next, with has 4 Biden appointees and 1 Obama appointees.
SCOUTS of course is a stickier wicket. I hold out a little hope though. Here's why -
Gorsuch and Roberts both voted for Bostock, making employment discrimination for sexual orientation or gender identify illegal.
US vs. Skermetti (Tennessee gender affirming care ban for minors) will get a decision in June. In the oral arguments, it was pretty clear Roberts wasn't with us. Gorsuch said nothing (he usually doesn't) and didn't reveal his hand. Barrett seemed to be giving some serious thought to whether transgender people should be a protected class.
Additionally, Tennessee was pretty effective at concealing transgender animus. Trump's Executive Orders, all of them, are dripping with animus (the Judge on the military ban case actually said that). Even if we don't win at SCOTUS on Skermetti (which would be awful), they might be willing to ignore the enormous about of animus in Trump' EOs. If Trump's EO assault fails, we're back to at least having blue states as safe havens.
All very good points. I hope it plays out that way.
Me too!
The addition of the "J" marker to German-Jewish passports and Kennkarten didn't actually take place until October 1938. An important step -- partially taken at the request of the Swiss, to make it easier for them to turn away Jews trying to escape to Switzerland.
To be continued………… we’re still at war. Let’s not rest on this one. They will come back at us, don’t let up
YES! My passport was the only ID that I couldn't get changed before it was too late
Same. Just finalized updating my pharmacist & last insurance carrier yesterday — got my very first prescription with my chosen name on it 🥳 🙌🏼 🥳 🙌🏼 🥳 — so I am now wide open & primed to jump on this the second I can!
❤️❤️❤️ Nice to finally have some good news. Now, to get the administration to actually abide by court orders 🤦🏼♂️
Thank GOD the courts are still on our side and are still applying the Constitution in their rulings. Trump's EO's are BLATANTLY unconstitutional and are the literal definition of "animus". And not a single woman on EARTH is harmed by the existence of trans people. PERIOD.
So happy to hear this! I hope to hear it applied toward everyone in the near future!
At last a step, a small step, in the Correct direction! We The People have No Room For Hate in this Country! You MAGATS want to hate then you can go live in Russia and take the Orange Slime with you!
I wept happy tears for my child‼️
Same
A welcome piece of good news. Thanks for the report. Still worried: Trump scoffs at court rulings — “Make Me” —and GOP in Congress are no better.
Now I need to be able to get the State Department to fix the one they just fucked up without charging me for it again.
I changed the gender marker on mine almost 20 years ago, and have almost 3 years left before the current one expires. I really hope this is definitively resolved in our favor before it expires. I don't want to risk trying to renew it until that happens.
I'm in the same boat! Fortunately, I expect I will have a European passport by then, but I won't be able to travel on it to the US because of the non-birth gender marker (which could get me detained - with MEN).
This is wonderful news. May ALL people in America still retain their rights to true justice.
Let's hope this indeed sets a precedent. It's obvious to anyone with a brain that this administration is attacking transgender people without cause.
Most excellent!
GREAT piece, Erin. Thanks for this lucid and helpful breakdown of the judge’s ruling. Let this be the first of more good rulings in favor of equity and respect.