INTRO

Before we dive in this week...

August is reader raise month at Well Beings News! You're going to hear from me a few times over the next couple weeks about two specific goals:

I'll be direct about what I need and why, because that's how we do things here. First, I need to raise enough from monthly subscriptions to cover basic operating costs ($150/month so we can commit to some marketing), and securing funds from annual subscribers and lifetime members to replace my dying laptop, so I can keep doing this work effectively even on the days I’m stuck in bed, or when I need to be out of the house or on the road.

If you've been thinking about upgrading to a paid subscription, this is a great time. If you're not in a position to pay, that's completely fine—you'll keep getting the Monday news Roundup regardless. More details coming later this week. For now, let's get to the news!

NEWS

Shields of Justice

The legal landscape shifted again this week with mixed results for trans rights. A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's defunding of essential LGBTQ+ health research, ruling in GLMA v. NIH that revoking funding for programs labeled "radical" violated the Fifth Amendment and Affordable Care Act. The decision allows critical HIV studies and other LGBTQ+ health initiatives to continue—at least for now. Also, a New York-led coalition is suing the Trump administration over its federal ban on gender-affirming care for minors, arguing federal overreach and misinterpretation of laws like the False Claims Act.

Some states are doubling down on protection. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed enhanced shield law protections for reproductive and transgender healthcare, limiting release of sensitive patient data and reinforcing emergency care requirements. But Nancy Pelosi's efforts to restore gender-affirming care nationally face an uphill battle, with 40.1% of trans youth now living in states with care restrictions.

Disappearing Access and Dwindling Supplies

The real-world impact of legislative attacks is devastating. New Iowa Medicaid restrictions have forced many transgender people to delay or cancel gender-affirming surgeries entirely, with patients now seeking alternative funding through mutual aid networks. Nearly 300 incarcerated trans people in Georgia are suing over a law that prohibits access to hormone therapy, claiming cruel and unusual punishment as some are forced to detransition against their will.

The medication shortages affecting cisgender women are hitting trans and non-binary communities particularly hard. Worldwide HRT shortages are leaving people without effective symptom relief and creating additional barriers for those who already face systemic healthcare discrimination.

On the Global Scales

International trends mirror domestic attacks. Italy is moving to tighten controls on gender-affirming medical care for minors, including creating a national registry to monitor puberty blocker and hormone use—raising privacy and profiling concerns within the trans community.

The U.K. is implementing a nationwide transgender bathroom ban, following a Supreme Court ruling that defined trans women as not legally women under the Equality Act. The NHS youth gender service consultation continues through November 2, proposing a more "cautious and holistic approach" with revised assessment frameworks and integration with mental health services—language that advocates are watching carefully for coded restrictions.

In Canada the province of Alberta is appealing a temporary injunction that blocks enforcement of its youth gender-affirming care ban, with the government claiming the court order is premature despite a judge's finding that the law raises significant Charter issues and could cause irreparable harm.

Some bright spots emerge internationally as well. The U.K. is set to open its first dedicated hospice for LGBTQ+ people in East Sussex, with the Sussex Beacon providing inclusive palliative care specifically addressing community needs. And in Australia, advocates are calling for increased funding for specialized LGBTQ+ domestic violence services, highlighting gaps in refuge options for queer, trans, and gender-diverse individuals.

Violence and Visibility

The FBI's annual crime report reveals anti-LGBTQ hate crimes remain high in 2024 despite overall violent crime declining, with 17% of hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and 4% by gender identity. This data comes amid what advocates describe as a dangerous resurgence of conversion therapy, with practitioners hiding harmful practices under religious or moral guidance while legislative efforts attempt to repeal existing bans.

Yet resistance persists. Boston Children's Hospital reaffirmed its commitment to gender-affirming care amid rising threats, with their Gender Multispeciality Service emphasizing support for all patients regardless of gender identity. New York City opened America's first city-funded shelter specifically for transgender and gender-nonconforming people experiencing homelessness—a 150-person facility in Long Island City called Ace's Place.

Beyond the Courtroom

As legal battles rage, advocates are organizing community-based solutions. From Courts to Community Power explores how trans rights advocates are responding to the Supreme Court's Skrmetti ruling with grassroots healthcare access networks, recognizing that the decision set dangerous precedents requiring mobilization beyond traditional legal strategies.

Meanwhile, censorship threats loom large. The FTC's recent anti-trans workshop spread misinformation about gender-affirming care, with critics warning that the Kids Online Safety Act could enable censorship of LGBTQ+ content and healthcare information online.

DIGEST

Last week at Well Beings News:

WHY UPGRADE

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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