Welcome back to OptOut’s LGBTQ+ Newsletter.

By now, you’ve likely heard about Algerian Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif who, after taking her Italian opponent out with one punch, was accused of being transgender. In a patriarchal world, it is evidently unfathomable that a woman–an Olympian–could be strong enough and good enough at a sport she’s been training in for her entire life to win with such swiftness. The misogyny and transphobia latent in such an accusation are deplorable, but unfortunately unsurprising given the ongoing and historical discourse about trans people in sports. (QueerAF, The Nation)

Transphobia “heavy hitters” like J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump worsened an already-flourishing online and media harassment campaign against Khelif, who heralds from a country where “LGBTQ+ activity” is illegal. Khelif recently spoke on the matter: “I was born a girl, I grew up a girl, I studied as a girl and I fought like a girl. Those who attacked me? Of course, [they] were enemies of glory. But, without them, my victory would not have been so tasty.” She also filed a complaint with the French authorities about the “aggravated cyber-harassment” that she received. (The Bitchuation Room)

It’s been a whirlwind since President Joe Biden stepped aside and Vice President Kamala Harris entered the running for president. She only just officially accepted the DNC nomination, while pro-Palestinian protestors called for a free Palestine and recited the names of Palestinians who have been killed since October 8th. (Unicorn Riot) The sentiment at the DNC was “do something”–do something to combat hateful rhetoric and legislation coming out of the GOP, do something to save democracy, do something to secure the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ Americans, do something to save our country. (Michigan Advance, Trans Lash) These are righteous calls bred from fear about calls and actions to bring direct harm to millions of people, mostly those in marginalized communities, via anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, restricting and banning reproductive health access, limiting voting rights, and undermining efforts to create a safer, cleaner planet. (Florida Phoenix, The New Republic) But there was another group, targeted by the majority of both parties, that was largely left out of the conversation.

The Uncommitted movement, who voted uncommitted in Michigan’s February primary, sparking a nationwide protest vote in an effort to get President Biden to act in the interest of the Palestinian people, were also operating under the “do something” sentiment. They were working with Democrats to have a Palestinian take the podium at the DNC, but the go-ahead never came. Anyone who could have spoken on behalf of the Palestinian people were kept outside the arena, while parents of an American-Israeli hostage were allowed to speak. (Defector) Such treatment clearly reflects a larger discourse surrounding respect and humanity. Efforts like Uncommitted should remind us that voting is just one step of the process, that activism is a 365, 24-hour job, and that we cannot and should not rest until freedom is felt and known by all people. I hope we are guided by those reminders in the weeks and months leading up to November 8th. I hope that, no matter the results of the election, we continue to rigorously advocate for those ideals on and after November 9th.

With that, let’s get to it.

The Latest

🏳️‍🌈 Immigration Equality, an organization that focuses on the mistreatment of LGBTQ and HIV-positive individuals in the federal immigration system, released a report called "No Human Should Be Held Here," which found that “nearly a third of queer detainees interviewed (18 out of 41) were sexually assaulted while in the custody of federal immigration authorities. "Almost all of those interviewed (35 out of the 41) reported being harassed for being LGBTQ+ or an immigrant in custody.” (Louisiana Illuminator/The 19th)

🏳️‍🌈 In Glasgow, the Sandyford clinic just announced that it will no longer accept self-referrals for those seeking gender-affirming care. This policy will gravely impact trans folks’ access to healthcare, as they’ll need to receive a medical or psychological referral in order to receive care at the clinic.

🏳️‍🌈 California is working to prohibit book bans in public libraries, which would be a huge win in the face of consistent book banning efforts nationwide (Assigned Media)

🏳️‍🌈 From The Appeal: “Decades of evidence demonstrate that the U.S. disproportionately wields the death penalty against the most marginalized—particularly people who are poor, have mental or intellectual disabilities, and aren’t white. But LGBTQ+ capital defendants have, and continue to, face unique and complex discrimination in the American capital punishment system.”

The Positives

🏳️‍🌈 Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride is expected to become the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. (States Newsroom)

🏳️‍🌈 In Ohio, illustrator Jorge Teles started the social media campaign, Be Yourself Art Project, which “brings together a diverse group of artists. Each artist highlights a favorite queer film by creating a movie poster that is shared on social media.” The project is aimed at “[spotlighting] both overlooked and well-known movies  with strong queer themes and characters.” (The Buckeye Flame)

🏳️‍🌈 The Trans Youth Emergency Project will start “offering families of transgender Idaho youth financial and logistical assistance to access transition-related care for minors.” (Idaho Capital Sun)

🏳️‍🌈 YES! Magazine takes a look at the Black, queer joy that is ballroom culture.

🏳️‍🌈 TransLash explores what the Democrats are promising “to do for LGBTQ+ people in their 2024 platform.”

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Thank you for being here, and thank you for your diligent, informed, and independent news consumption. Remember to hold each other. I’ll see you in two weeks.

The OptOut Media Foundation (EIN: 85-2348079) is a nonprofit charity with a mission to educate the public about current events and help sustain a diverse media ecosystem by promoting and assisting independent news outlets and, in doing so, advance democracy and social justice.

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