Transgender People in the United States Seek Asylum and Protection Abroad

Kevin Rector of the LA Times highlights in this article how transgender Americans are beginning to seek asylum and refuge in other countries.

Anti-transgender policy changes under the Trump administration such as ending gender-affirming medical care and banning transgender people from bathrooms and athletic teams have placed the trans community in fear.

The article quotes Ari Shaw, director of international programs at UCLA’s Williams Institute, who says: “As the U.S. moves away from that sort of welcoming environment — and also reflects a broader global rollback of LGBTQ rights — queer refugees have fewer options in terms of where they can go to be safe.” 

IE