How one agender person is learning to present their personal truth. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. Like most 20-year-olds, Kel is on a journey of self-exploration. But there is one thing Kel is certain of: They do not want to be defined by gender. That’s why Kel uses […]

House Bills 4787 and 4830 are poor public policy that do nothing to protect women from the real problem of reproductive coercion. Let’s just say right from the start here that coercing a woman into having an abortion is a terrible thing no one should ever be able to do. That’s why there are laws already on the books in […]

Champion for equality says Michigan Legislature should focus on real problems, urges Michiganders to voice opposition to bigoted bill. Never one to mince words, Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) is particularly blunt in his condemnation of the “bathroom bill” introduced by State Senator Tom Casperson. I spoke with Rep. Kildee the day after Senate Bill 993 was introduced in the Michigan […]

This transgender teen is thriving in a nurturing school environment. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. When he was in 10th grade, Reid Ellefson-Frank realized he could no longer stay at the public school he attended. He had come out as transgender to his parents at the end of […]

By expressing her authentic self, this transgender woman learned the meaning of true acceptance. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. For much of her life so far, Sara thought she had to change herself. But once she started living authentically, she realized that the people who matter most value […]

New rule clarifies access to coverage and care for LGBT people, as anti-equality sentiment continues to run high. Discrimination against transgender people is nothing new — and it’s a problem that’s sadly going to get worse before it gets better. (See: North Carolina’s HB2.) Consider Jay Maddock of Kalamazoo, Mich., whose coverage for care he needs as a transgender man […]

Republicans may have prevailed in their latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, but it’s nothing but another political stunt. It’s the same old story from Republicans: Do everything possible to make government look dysfunctional in an effort to dismantle it. On Thursday, a federal judge struck down a portion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ruling that President Obama […]

This transgender teen knows he has the kind of support every trans person should have. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. At age 17, Hunter Keith has more confidence and poise than some people twice his age. Maybe that’s because he already knows who he is, and he has […]

One in six hospital beds are governed by rules set by Catholic bishops, not doctors, putting lives and health at risk. If Catholic health systems continue expanding their reach at the current rate, an alarming number of Americans won’t have access to the full spectrum of healthcare services considered standard of care at non-Catholic hospitals. In some cases, that lack […]

This genderqueer person helps others better understand gender identity, including their own. This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here. Ask yourself this question: What gender do you use to identify yourself? You may easily respond with “female” or “male.” But then ask yourself: What does that mean? Amanda Niven asked […]

By pushing legislation they may not fully understand, lawmakers would be harming more than abortion providers. There’s a reason legislators should leave the medical decision-making to doctors and patients: medical care isn’t their area of expertise. And in their haste to appease anti-choice voters, Michigan legislators are pushing poorly written legislation that could have serious unintended consequences — including hampering […]