Trump Orders Transgender Inmates sent to Men’s Prison
Hundreds of transgender prisoners across the United States are facing growing fear after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office, mandating the transfer of transgender inmates to prisons that align with their biological sex.
Lawyers have voiced serious concerns over the safety of transgender women being relocated to male prisons, warning of the increased risks they now face. “It’s going to be incredibly dangerous,” said attorney Moira Meltzer-Cohen, who represents Donna Langan, a transgender woman serving a life sentence for bank robbery. Meltzer-Cohen expressed deep worry for the well-being of her client, as well as other transgender inmates, fearing that the situation could lead to a “bloodbath.”
The executive order asserts that the federal government will only recognize two sexes—male and female—meaning access to prisons, shelters, and other intimate spaces will now be based on biological sex rather than gender identity.
A federal public defender in Massachusetts also shared a concerning case of a transgender inmate in Minnesota, noting that the individual was suddenly notified of her transfer, leaving her “terrified.” Sandra Gant, the public defender, shared the situation in a message circulated among public defenders: “Her family reached out in a panic. As of this morning, she, along with others at FCI Waseca, have been segregated and told they are being processed out to a transfer center and then to a men’s prison.”
See Also: Professor Abimbola; Alaafin’s Rites Begins After his Return.
Gant is calling for support from organizations like the ACLU to challenge the policy, highlighting the urgency of defending the rights and safety of transgender prisoners.
In addition to the changes affecting transgender inmates, Trump’s order also rolled back several protections for transgender individuals. The directive cuts federal funding for transition-related services and requires the term “sex” to be used instead of “gender” in official documentation. Furthermore, federal agencies are instructed to cease funding initiatives promoting what the order refers to as “gender ideology.”
Content Credit| Agbetan Bisola
Picture Credit | https://www.npr.org/
