SPART*A strongly opposes the proposed policy changes by the federal government that conflates sex and gender and seeks to redefine sex as immutable and defined by genetics at birth. According to the New York Times, the Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a rule that “Sex means a person’s status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth,” and that “The sex listed on a person’s birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person’s sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence.”
SPART*A shares the view of the Times that the proposed changes “ would essentially eradicate federal recognition of the estimated 1.4 million Americans who have opted to recognize themselves — surgically or otherwise — as a gender other than the one they were born into.”
SPART*A believes that the best determinant of someone’s gender is that person and that the federal government should continue to respect the freedom of individuals to live authentically. “We stand with ALL transgender and non-binary people as they continue to live as their authentic selves. We remain resolute in our commitment to protect this country no matter how anyone attempts to make us disappear” says Blake Dremman, president of SPART*A.
Transgender people will always be with us and will not be erased by federal rule changes. Regardless of the policy, or proposed changes, the transgender members of SPART*A remain committed to their oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and to gladly give of themselves to ensure its freedoms are equally enjoyed by all Americans.