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Tag: transgender

  • Airyn De Niro, Daughter of Actor Robert De Niro, Publicly Comes Out As Transgender

    Airyn De Niro, Daughter of Actor Robert De Niro, Publicly Comes Out As Transgender

    Airyn De Niro, the daughter of Robert De Niro, has shared her journey of coming out as a trans woman in an exclusive interview with Them. 

    The 29-year-old, who identifies with she/her pronouns, expressed that “a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” in the interview released on Tuesday. “I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”

    Airyn, the daughter of De Niro and actress Toukie Smith, began hormone therapy in November 2024 and considers herself a “late bloomer.” She shared with the outlet that witnessing other trans women share their stories and achievements helped her understand that it was “not too late” for her to embark on her own journey. Airyn, who was born Aaron, said her family responded well to the news and embraced her “queerness” when she first came out as a gay man in high school. 

    Instagram/voiceofairyn

    Nevertheless, she still worries they may perceive her as the same person she was before her transition. “I sort of stood out like a sore thumb and there wasn’t anybody in my family that could relate to that experience,” she said.

    “I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something growing up: Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough,” Airyn continued.

    Airyn shared with Them that she is pursuing a career as an actress and model, following in her mother’s footsteps, with the aim of being an “inspiration for at least one other person like [her] who is Black, who is queer, who’s not a size extra small.” Robert, 81, welcomed Airyn and her twin brother, Julian Henry De Niro, with his then-girlfriend Smith, 72, in 1995.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Female Fencer Disqualified for Refusing to Compete Against Trans Opponent

    Female Fencer Disqualified for Refusing to Compete Against Trans Opponent

    A female fencer was disqualified from a tournament for refusing to compete against a transgender opponent, as reported by the NY Post. Stephanie Turner has gained attention for her protest at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland, where she took a knee to express her opposition to facing transgender athlete Redmond Sullivan. 

    Turner is now using her platform to express the “unfair” situation she finds herself in, stating that this has been a concern of hers throughout her career. During their match at the University of Maryland in College Park on March 30, the 31-year-old knelt on the fencing strip. Turner mentioned that she typically avoids entering events where she might face a transgender opponent, but chose to participate this time as a form of protest.

    Turner Speaks Out

    “So what I was doing already was just avoiding tournaments where I knew there was a transgender fencer. But at this point, what else should I do? Should I just not sign up for any tournaments? I have no other options,” Turner told the Daily Mail. According to Turner,  “Redmond didn’t hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or he doesn’t understand what’s happening. He asks, ‘Are you OK?’ And I said, ‘I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you,’” she recalled, without using her would-be opponent’s preferred pronouns.

    Turner’s protest at the Cherry Blossom Open resulted in her receiving a black card, which is the highest penalty in the sport. This led to her automatic expulsion from the tournament. The black card was issued due to her refusal to compete against Sullivan, who is recognized as an eligible opponent under the International Fencing Federation (FIE) regulations, as stated by the organization. “In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification…was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE rules clearly prohibit,” USA Fencing said in a statement.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Toddler Expelled from Nursery School for Allegedly Being ‘Transphobic,’ Reports Say

    Toddler Expelled from Nursery School for Allegedly Being ‘Transphobic,’ Reports Say

    A British toddler was expelled from a nursery school after allegations of transphobic or homophobic behavior, according to local media cited by Fox News.

    The child, reportedly aged 3 or 4, was removed from an unnamed nursery “for being transphobic,” as stated in a report from the Telegraph on Monday. The UK’s Department for Education (DfE) did not reveal the name of the school or specific details regarding the incident. A spokesperson for the DfE commented to the newspaper that “all pupils and staff should feel safe and protected at school and should never face violence or abuse.”

    Statistics indicate that 94 students at state primary schools faced suspension or permanent expulsion due to transphobia and homophobia during the 2022-23 school year. This figure includes 10 students from year one and three from year two, where the maximum age is seven, according to the report.

    Renowned author J.K. Rowling, best known for her Harry Potter fantasy series, took to social media to express her disapproval regarding the suspension. “This is totalitarian insanity. If you think small children should be punished for being able to recognize (sic) sex, you are a dangerous zealot who should be nowhere near kids or in any position of authority over them,” she posted on X.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • President-Elect Trump Declares He Will Strip Transgender Rights On Day One: Promises To Ban Gender Ideology In Schools and More

    President-Elect Trump Declares He Will Strip Transgender Rights On Day One: Promises To Ban Gender Ideology In Schools and More

    During a speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in #Phoenix on December 22, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to take immediate executive action to curtail transgender rights upon assuming office. 

    Trump declared, “With the stroke of my pen on Day 1, we’re going to stop the transgender lunacy,” CNN reports.

    He outlined plans to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors, remove transgender individuals from military service, and bar the promotion of “gender ideology” in schools.

    In his speech, Trump emphasized his administration’s intent to recognize only two genders, male and female, calling it “common sense.” He also promised to push for legislation banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports and preventing transgender topics from being discussed in schools. 

    These statements align with broader Republican efforts in recent years to challenge transgender rights, with policies such as bans on gender-affirming care for minors being enacted in many GOP-controlled states.

    The speech comes as public opinion remains divided on transgender issues. While a majority of Americans oppose transgender athletes competing on teams that differ from their sex assigned at birth, many also resist outright bans on gender-affirming healthcare. 

    As the U.S. prepares for a second Trump administration, the debate over transgender rights is expected to remain at the forefront of cultural and political discussions.

    #Clique, raise your hand if you think Donald be worried about the wrong stuff? 🙋🏾‍♀️

  • Pennsylvania Man Charged With Murder and Dismemberment Of Transgender Teenager He Met On A Dating App

    Pennsylvania Man Charged With Murder and Dismemberment Of Transgender Teenager He Met On A Dating App

    A man from Pennsylvania has been charged with murder for allegedly killing and dismembering a transgender teenager he met through a dating app, as reported by the NY Post. The accused, 29-year-old DaShawn Watkins, is currently in custody without bail. 

    The victim, Pauly Likens, was reported missing by relatives after being last seen on June 22. Human remains were later discovered in and around Shenango River Lake. More remains were found in the area over the next week, reports reveal. 

    The coroner’s office determined that Pauly, who is a 14-year-old transgender girl, died from

    “sharp force trauma to the head before being dismembered.”

    Watkins has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, evidence tampering, and abuse of a corpse. The authorities are also considering hate crime charges.

    Watkins informed the police that he had set up a meeting with an individual he had been communicating with on the dating app Grindr.

    Surveillance footage, social media records, and cellphone records confirmed. The evening of June 22, Pauly was on the phone and waiting to meet someone near the canoe launch area of the lake.

    The authorities also discovered footage showing Watkins making multiple trips from his apartment in the early morning of June 23, carrying bags and driving a vehicle that was seen near the lake.

    Pauly’s family described the teenager as a playful individual with aspirations of becoming a park ranger.

    “I just want to say what a beautiful, loving person she was and that the hate has got to stop!!”

    Pauly’s mother, Jen McClure, told Pennlive. 

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Transgender LGBTQ+ Activist Faces Charges For Alleged Rape Of Minors In Philadelphia

    Transgender LGBTQ+ Activist Faces Charges For Alleged Rape Of Minors In Philadelphia

    A well-known LGBTQ+ advocate in Philadelphia has been accused of sexually assaulting two minors, reports the NY Post. Kendall Stephens, a 37-year-old trans woman, was arrested on Monday and is facing charges of rape, involuntary assault, unlawful contact with minors, and indecent assault against two boys aged 14 and 9.

    The inquiry into the reported sexual assault involving Stephens, initiated on September 25 following a grandmother’s complaint, alleging that Stephens abused a boy on three occasions since 2022, starting when the child was 8 years old.

    Another victim came forward and told police that Stephens had assaulted him. Investigators stated that Stephens had given the victim gifts unexpectedly, which the victim believed were meant to

    “keep him quiet,”

    according to court documents. Additionally, Stephens allegedly threatened one of the victims, saying that he would go to jail if he disclosed the abuse to anyone.

    Stephens was a victim of a hate crime last year. She was assaulted at her South Philadelphia home, August 24, 2020. One of the attackers, Tymesha Wearing, was sentenced to house arrest for her involvement. 

    Stephens’ became a prominent activist in her community, advocating for justice and safety for the LGBTQ+ community. Stephens is scheduled to appear in court on December 29th. Her bail has been set at $250,000, according to court records.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • NJ College Receives Backlash As Trans Swimmer, Meghan Cortez-Fields, Shatters Women’s Record

    NJ College Receives Backlash As Trans Swimmer, Meghan Cortez-Fields, Shatters Women’s Record

    Ramapo College of New Jersey is facing backlash as a transgender swimmer, Meghan Cortez-Fields, shattered a women’s school record after previously competing on the men’s team for three years, reports the NY Post. 

    During a recent meet in Pennsylvania, Cortez-Fields won first place in the 100-yard butterfly, clocking in at 57.22 seconds, outdoing the previous record set in 2017. The senior from College Station, Texas, also secured victory in the 200-yard individual medley at the Cougar Splash hosted by Misericordia University. While the college initially celebrated Cortez-Fields’ achievement on Instagram, they promptly deleted the post amid backlash from critics. 

    Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer-turned-activist, criticized Cortez-Fields’ transition to the women’s team, claiming she went from being a

    “below-average male swimmer”

    to a

    “record breaker”

    against female competitors.

    “Those who choose to remain blind to the injustice of allowing mediocre male athletes to become record-breaking female athletes are either incompetent or misogynists. There is no in between anymore,”

    Gaines added in an interview with Fox News. 

    Ramapo College, however, came to Cortez-Fields defense, saying the school follows NCAA‘s protocols and that it

    “supports all of our student athletes.”

    “There are strict measures that the NCAA makes trans athletes go through. You have to meet certain criteria to show that you are able to, as a trans athlete, compete with women,”

    a spokeswoman said.

    “We are an affiliate member of the NCAA. We are in compliance. We have done everything the NCAA says needs to be done regarding trans athletes competing on the team. All of the steps were taken, and documentation was provided for approval of Meghan’s participation.”

    Ramapo’s swimmer faces a similar controversy as the University of Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas’ who also received hate following her success last year. She too emerged victorious in swim meets after participating on the men’s team for three years. 

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Alabama Mayor and Baptist Pastor Takes His Life after Being Outed For Having A Secret Transgender Identity

    Alabama Mayor and Baptist Pastor Takes His Life after Being Outed For Having A Secret Transgender Identity

    The mayor of Smiths Station, Alabama, F.L. ‘Bubba’ Copeland, tragically died by suicide, after details about his transgender identity were shared online, reports Radar Online. 

    Copeland was also a Baptist pastor and was well-respected in the community. However, last week, a conservative news site, 1819 News, exposed Copeland’s secret life, sharing photos of him dressed in women’s clothing and makeup, along with explicit erotic fiction. 

    Before outing Copeland, a reporter from 1819 News, Craig Monger, received a comment from him which stated,

    “What I do in private life has nothing to do with what I do in my holy life… Does this have any effect on me being mayor, that I sometimes put on a dress or sometimes put on makeup? Does that have anything to do whatsoever with me being mayor or being a pastor?”

    The news was released on his 62nd birthday. The website described his alter ego as a

    “transgender curvy girl”

    and made allegations about his online activities involving minors. These revelations sparked both outrage and support within the community, with some questioning the invasion of Copeland’s privacy.

    Copeland had never publicly expressed anti-LGBTQ views, despite his affiliation with the Baptist faith, according to the outlet. The Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, to which his church belongs, stated that the issue was a personal matter between Copeland and his church. The Baptist community’s stance on LGBTQ matters varies, with some advocating for conservative views.

    Before his death, Copeland addressed his congregation, apologizing for any embarrassment his actions may have caused. He assured them that his alter ego didn’t impact his religious life and that his wife was aware of his activities. Authorities discovered Copeland’s body on Friday during a welfare check and it was determined that he took his own life with a handgun. 

    The First Baptist Church of Phenix City has been mourning his loss, symbolized by changing their Facebook profile picture to a black ribbon. His passing has left the community grieving. Church member Dan Elkins told the Daily Mail,

    “By no means am I disregarding/discounting accountability – but it must be dispensed with love and care, not scorn and judgment.”

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Woman Says Deli Clerk Dragged Her After Mistaking Her As Transgender: Lawsuit

    Woman Says Deli Clerk Dragged Her After Mistaking Her As Transgender: Lawsuit

    A woman from Staten Island has filed a lawsuit against a deli and its owner after an incident in which she was dragged by her hair into the street, reports HuffPost. Jasmine Adams, 35, claims that the altercation occurred because the deli cashier mistook her for being transgender. The lawsuit alleges assault and battery, stating that the cashier became frustrated during a misunderstanding over a purchase of marijuana and proceeded to call Adams a “transvestite.” The cashier has not been publicl identified.

    Video footage obtained by HuffPost shows a man in a white Denver Nuggets jersey dragging Adams by her hair and kicking her as spectators react in shock.

    In the video, a person can be heard saying,

    “You don’t need to be doing all that.”

    Adams, in an interview with the New York Daily News, explained that she had entered the deli to purchase marijuana for a friend. Although marijuana is legal in New York City, only a few licensed establishments are allowed to sell it. Adams claimed that the cashier mistook her attempt to clarify the purchase for haggling and threw the marijuana on the ground when she paid.

    The woman told the news outlet,

    “I said it wasn’t about the price and that I was just trying to figure out what I was buying,”

    after revealing that she was purchasing the marijuana for a friend and contacted her friend to confirm the price of $40. 

    According to Adams, when she refused to pick up the marijuana, the cashier began yelling at her and accused her of trying to get him fired when she asked for a refund. The lawsuit alleges that the cashier then called Adams a “transvestite” after noticing a pride flag on her watchband. He allegedly maced her and dragged her outside by her hair. Adams, who identifies as bisexual, expressed her disbelief at the cashier’s actions, stating that he had no right to become physical with her regardless of her gender identity. The New York City Police Department has confirmed that Adams filed a report with similar details to her lawsuit, and an investigation is ongoing.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts? 

  • Trans Dad Got Pregnant After One-Night Stand During Transition, Says ‘I Wanted To Carry At Least One Child’

    Trans Dad Got Pregnant After One-Night Stand During Transition, Says ‘I Wanted To Carry At Least One Child’

    A 36-year-old trans dad from Seattle who identifies as non-binary and queer has taken to TikTok to share their journey of giving birth after getting pregnant by a one-night stand during their medical transition, NY Post reported. 

    Danny Wakefield says they were assigned female at birth but now identify with masculinity. Wakefield reportedly started transitioning at the age of 25 when they started taking testosterone treatments and underwent a double mastectomy (a surgical operation to remove breasts). In 2020 Wakefield revealed they were expecting a child after a one-night stand with an unnamed man. 

    Although Wakefield identifies as a trans man, they said,

    “I’ve known for my entire life that I’ve wanted children and I knew before I transitioned that I would want to carry at least one child.”

    Continuing the story on TikTok Wakefield said,

    “just because I don’t feel like a woman, that doesn’t mean I can’t take advantage of the body organs I was born with.”

    “It was the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had. I’ve fallen in love with my body in ways that I’ve never experienced before,”

    they added. Despite the trans dad’s ‘beautiful experience’ they said they are still non-binary.

    “I was born with a uterus and so the world said I was a girl, but I’m very much not a girl,”

    they wrote.

    “I’m also not a boy. I’m non-binary! I have the reproductive system that allows me to carry and give birth to a child, so that’s what I did. Transmen and non-binary people give birth, too.” 

    Wakefield gave birth to their baby ‘Wilder’ in 2020, to whose gender Wakefield has not yet identified as it’s

    “part of their story,”

    they told the outlet. 

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?