IowaCASA responds to Trump administration's harm against transgender and gender non-conforming c
On Sunday, October 21, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration is considering a definition of gender as "a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth." It's estimated that this definition would impact 1.4 Americans who identify as a gender other than what they were assigned at birth.
According to the 2005 U.S. Transgender Survey, 47% of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals will experience sexual violence at some point in their lifetime. Transgender and gender non-conforming communities of color experience even higher rates of sexual violence. According to the same survey, American Indian (65%), multiracial (59%), Middle Eastern (58%), and Black (53%) respondents were most likely to have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
Members of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault staff will attend a protest at the state capitol building this afternoon from 1 - 3PM in solidarity with transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. We applaud the leaders and activists organizing the protest, and look forward to participating in this important event.
The following is a statement from Beth Barnhill, Executive Director of IowaCASA:
The transgender and gender non-conforming community will not be erased by the hurtful ideologies, rhetoric, and policies of the Trump administration. We encourage President Trump to consider the harm he is causing to millions of individuals all across the country. This kind of behavior from the highest office in the land is frankly unacceptable and sickening.
To our transgender family members, friends, and neighbors: We see you, and we stand with you. Your voices and your stories are strong and powerful. Keep shouting—we will shout with you.
For more information about the protest "Trans Rights Are Human Rights," click here to visit the Facebook event page.
