Why is the Global Anti-Gender Movement a DEI Issue?
Learn about the anti-gender (AG) movement, recognize why upending it is a DEI matter, and learn one concrete strategy you can take today to build belonging.
On March 23, 2023, the Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE) issued a groundbreaking report exposing the anti-gender (AG) movement. The report elucidates what this movement is and how it intensifies misinformation created to restrict, retract, or prevent the rights of transgender and nonbinary people - actions resulting in the alarming global backlash we are witnessing.
It also enumerates how the anti-gender movement encourages violence towards a huge number of intersecting communities, including women, young people, Black, indigenous and Latinx people and people of color, D/deaf and people with disabilities, people from a migrant background, single parent families, intersex people, people living with HIV, and the broader LGBTQI+ community.
Anti-Gender Movement in the U.S.
Tragically, those us who live in the United States are not isolated from this movement’s reach. The rise of anti-transgender bills have dramatically increased each year since 2015, when North Carolina’s “bathroom ban” was first introduced, and later became law. It prohibits transgender and nonbinary people from accessing public restrooms that align with their gender. To add insult to injury, this law cost the state $3.76 billon. This kind of hatred is not only the wrong thing to do…it’s expensive!
In 2023 alone, 494 anti-transgender bills in 47 states were introduced with 39 passing, 363 still being considered, and 92 failing. These bills seek to block transgender and nonbinary people from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to access public facilities that align with their gender. Many of these bills target the health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary children and their families.
Prior to 2020, no elected state official had ever attempted to introduce legislation attempting to ban gender affirming healthcare. In fact, this kind of healthcare has been safely prescribed for decades, and it continues to receive the support of every major medical association and leading health authority including the the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Endocrine Society.
A Board-Certified Pediatrician’s Perspective
On Trans Day of Visibility, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Lulu, a board-certified pediatrician and CEO of Dr. Lulu’s Life Coaching Lounge, on the Imagine Belonging Podcast. Dr. Lulu is a queer mother of a transgender adult and life coach for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. I first discovered her thought leadership when she shared a powerful LinkedIn post during Black History Month entitled, "10 things the #BlackTrans Child wants you to know.”
During our conversation, we discussed the connection between legislation targeting transgender children and the dangers it poses to the future of work. We also explored the ways allies, and those on their way to joining them, can help stop this legislation from being enshrined into law.
A few key highlights from this conversation include:
Exploring how Dr. Lulu’s background as a board-certified pediatrician and mother of a transgender children shapes why her business focuses on supporting parents of LGBTQ+ young people.
Discussing the onslaught of anti-transgender legislation predominantly targeting transgender children, and its impacts on the future of work.
Considering the role employers could play in denouncing anti-transgender legislation, by making a real commitment to attract, retain, and advance transgender and nonbinary talent.
Naming the actions workplaces can actively take to build more safety, trust, and belonging for their current (and future) transgender and nonbinary employees.
Underscoring the importance of everyday actions allies, and budding allies, can take to show up for the transgender and nonbinary people in their lives.
Sharing resources that will empower you to successfully show up for the transgender and nonbinary people in your life.
Savor this insightful conversation, and if you’re looking for ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Dr. Lulu, be sure to join the Belonging Membership Community – a community of leaders committed to advancing their DEI goals while practicing community care. Members have the unique opportunity to engage with our guests 1:1 after our podcast recordings where they can participate in a private Q&A session with our guest.
Important! The work to advance our collective #DEI commitments remains woefully unfinished if we choose to ignore the rise of anti-gender movement’s hate-driven narratives and the legislation that has the potential to enshrine this hatred into law. Left unchecked, this movement will continue to advance its primary goal - to divide, reinforce social stigma, and separate our humanity.
One concrete action available to you, no matter your role: please review this report, and then consider the personal actions you can take to ensure that your colleagues most vulnerable to the anti-gender movement's dangerous rhetoric get the support they need to continue doing their best work.
Thanks for growing the #BelongingMovement!