transgender rights Archives - American Atheists

Atheists: Proposed HHS Rule Change Will Cost Lives

American Atheists — Fri, 24 May 2019 18:05:11 +0000

Washington, DC—Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a proposed change to rules governing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that would roll back non-discrimination protections for transgender and gender nonconforming patients, as well as pregnant women and non-English speakers. Nick Fish, president of American Atheists, released the following statement: The Trump Administration is trading lives for Evangelical votes. Patients will die because they can’t access needed healthcare. There’s no sugar-coating this. This is yet another example of this administration putting religious dogma ahead of Americans’ health. If this rule is implemented, Roger Severino, Secretary Azar, Vice President Pence, and President Trump will have blood on their hands. This is the latest rule change at the Department of Health and Human Services that prioritizes the religious beliefs of providers over the health and welfare of patients. Earlier this month, HHS released a final rule that allows health care providers to deny treatment on the basis of religious disapproval. And just last week, the Department proposed a change to its civil rights complaint form that would lump together victims of discrimination with those who deny them care.

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Atheists Oppose South Dakota’s Anti-Trans Children Bill

American Atheists — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 23:34:00 +0000

Pierre, South Dakota—This week, American Atheists, on behalf of its constituents in South Dakota, wrote in opposition to HB 1225. This controversial bill would intensify discrimination against transgender students in South Dakota’s high school athletics programs. HB 1225 would mix church and state by turning specific religious views of gender into law. In addition, this bill would harm an already vulnerable population of young people. Specifically, it would make them far more susceptible to bullying and harassment in South Dakota due to state-mandated exclusion. The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey described the rampant bullying and harassment that transgender students already face, concluding that 54% of those who were out or perceived as transgender in K–12 were verbally harassed; 24% were physically attacked; 17% left a K-12 schools because the mistreatment was so bad. “The South Dakota House has a clear choice in this matter. Either they choose to intensify the unnecessary victimization of a historically marginalized demographic of students or to foster empathy and diversity and set a precedent of equality by rejecting HB 1225,” wrote Alison Gill, Vice President for Legal and Policy.

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American Atheists opposes South Dakota’s anti-transgender high school bill

American Atheists — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 05:19:15 +0000

Pierre, SD—American Atheists, on behalf of its constituents in South Dakota, wrote in opposition to SB 49, a controversial bill that would intensify systemic discrimination against transgender students in South Dakota’s high school athletics programs. SB 49 would require transgender student athletes to be identified by the gender assigned on their birth certificate or, if the student lacks a birth certificate, noted by a physician on the South Dakota High School Activities Association Physical Exam Form. Read the full comments below.

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American Atheists Statement About Proposed Anti-Transgender Policies

American Atheists — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 17:26:13 +0000

Cranford, NJ—In response to the October 21 New York Times article “‘Transgender’ Could Be Defined Out of Existence Under Trump Administration,” American Atheists president Nick Fish released the following statement: This latest attack on the trans community exposes the deep cruelty and bigotry of the religious extremists who have been installed by the Trump administration at every agency of the federal government. This proposal is nothing but transparent pandering to far-right religious groups who have spent the last decade attacking even basic civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans. No one should have to worry about losing their job, losing their home, being denied service in a public place, or being harassed because of who they are. The trans community has fought too hard to achieve those basic protections and to advance the cause of inclusive civil rights laws to turn back now. No policy change by this administration can silence the voices of the millions of transgender Americans or stop the march of progress. American Atheists will continue to stand with our trans friends and loved ones as we fight back against these relentless attacks on their very existence. Science, medicine, morality, common decency, and the law are on all our side. We will do everything in our power to elevate the voices and experiences of all trans atheists, and indeed all trans people, in public discourse to ensure that this administration’s galling attempts to define millions of Americans out of existence will not succeed.

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