ADL has harshly condemned reported efforts by the Trump Administration to narrow the definition of “gender” in an effort to rollback recognition and protections of transgender people under federal civil rights laws. According to reports, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is spearheading this effort to define “sex” in a way that would exclude 2 million transgender Americans from federal civil rights protections.

ADL issued the following statement:

The reported action by this administration to eliminate federal civil rights of transgender people is heartless, destructive, and entirely inconsistent with well-settled discrimination case law.  Particularly at a time when transgender people are already more vulnerable to increased discrimination and hate, this proposal would further undermine the ability of millions of transgender people to live with dignity and respect- free from discrimination.

Transgender people can’t be defined out of existence.  They are our neighbors, community members, and family, and their rights are all of our civil and human rights.  We will work relentlessly with our allies to stop this bigoted proposal in the courts and in state legislatures.  And we will work with our allies to ensure Congress passes necessary federal comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals.  Because every person deserves to be treated with human dignity, equally, and consistent with their gender identity under federal law.

Scott L. Levin, ADL’s Mountain States Regional Director said, “The government should not limit gender identity to a binary choice. People should have the right to be, and to identify as, their true selves without fear of such discrimination.”