International Transgender Visibility Day: Standing with our Transgender Family, a Hindu and Human Rights Perspective
The earliest months of the Trump administration witnessed a rapid series of assaults on transgender rights—policies that not only reversed preexisting protections but also emboldened a host of state-level initiatives undermining trans people’s basic freedoms. Guidelines protecting transgender students were rescinded, directives expanding access to affirming healthcare were rolled back, and transgender-inclusive language all but disappeared from federal websites. Far from being isolated incidents, these moves formed part of a deliberate strategy to render trans individuals invisible and vulnerable.
On this International Transgender Day of Visibility 2025, the ongoing assault on trans rights stands as a stark reminder that progress can be swiftly reversed if we are not vigilant. Policies that erase or discriminate against trans individuals—from passports to healthcare—are symptoms of a deeper societal malaise that devalues human dignity. But as these injustices intensify, so too does the resolve of those committed to equality.
Beyond the immediate harm to people living within U.S. borders, these measures also effectively created obstacles for trans travelers, immigrants, and asylum-seekers, including what amounts to a visa ban in certain scenarios. Under the umbrella of these policies, a single transgender person might hold a birth certificate, passport, and state ID reflecting different genders—placing them at risk whenever they travel or engage with official institutions.
As we evaluate the ramifications, this essay references Hindu ethical teachings—particularly ahiṃsā (non-harm), ātmic divinity (the inner divine spark), and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”)—while also drawing on international human rights principles that insist on dignity and freedom from discrimination. When one community’s rights are systematically dismantled, the broader ideals of democracy and social justice are imperiled for us all.
The Ongoing Threat to Transgender Rights
Hours into his second term, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order—ominously titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”—that attempts to redefine gender at the federal level. This order erases the existence of trans and nonbinary people in government policy, halts “X” gender markers on passports, rescinds Biden-era guidelines allowing trans people to serve in the military, and even signals an end to housing incarcerated trans women in women’s facilities. Many observers point to this day-one action as proof that restricting trans rights remains a top priority for the administration.
These policies come amid Trump’s broader effort to reignite culture wars, with some insiders suggesting he plans to leverage anti-trans rhetoric as a key GOP strategy for the 2026 midterm elections. By framing trans equality as a direct threat to “women’s dignity” and “national morale,” the administration is once again positioning LGBTQ+ communities—especially trans individuals—as scapegoats. This move echoes the sweeping rollbacks of Trump’s previous term, where he banned trans troops from military service and methodically eliminated anti-discrimination guidelines for trans students.
Legal and advocacy groups have already vowed to challenge these measures in court, pointing out that many components of the new executive order—such as restrictions on federally funded gender-affirming healthcare—are unconstitutional and contradict existing medical consensus. Critics warn that if these attacks on trans rights go unchecked, other civil liberties may also be jeopardized. By tying trans rights to his broader policy agenda, Trump has placed LGBTQ+ communities squarely on the front lines of a political fight that will likely escalate heading into the 2026 midterms.
Language Erasure as a Political Tactic
From the outset, the administration’s choice to remove or censor words such as “transgender” and “gender identity” in government resources undermined years of progress in acknowledging trans communities. This language erasure impacts everything from targeted research and funding to public awareness—making it increasingly difficult to advocate for or even measure trans well-being at the federal level.
In Hindu thought, language (vāk) does more than describe reality; it shapes it. When the words that name oppressed groups disappear from public documents, so does the ability to protect and serve them effectively. From a human rights perspective, ensuring trans-inclusive language is a fundamental step in upholding equity and making sure that no community is rendered invisible in the eyes of the law.
Rollbacks in Healthcare Provision
Healthcare discrimination quickly became a hallmark of these attacks. Despite the critical need for gender-affirming care—shown to reduce risks like depression, anxiety, and suicidality—federal guidelines ensuring comprehensive coverage were scaled back, and “conscience rules” were introduced, allowing healthcare providers to refuse treatment on moral or religious grounds.
At the state level, places like Texas have considered legislation that would effectively ban medical care for trans people of any age or insurance status
(KXAN report). These measures not only compound healthcare barriers but also violate ahiṃsā, the principle of non-harm at the core of Hindu ethics. Denying trans individuals essential medical support for their transitions inflicts direct harm, with consequences that can reverberate throughout families and communities.
Pronoun Use and Legal Recognition
Parallel efforts have aimed to force rigid definitions of gender tied solely to sex assigned at birth, ignoring the realities of trans and nonbinary experiences. In Iowa, for instance, legislation recently stripped away gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights act
(Des Moines Register), permitting overt discrimination against trans people in jobs, housing, and other essential areas.
Meanwhile, new federal rules or executive orders have led to mismatches on critical documents. A trans individual may hold a passport reflecting a different gender than the one on their birth certificate or state ID. Such inconsistencies result in heightened scrutiny, potential searches, or even detention at international borders
(Them). The visa ban effect emerges when trans travelers or immigrants cannot align their documents, forcing them to “out” themselves at every checkpoint
(Condé Nast Traveler).
From the standpoint of Ātman—the divine essence within each person—failing to honor a trans individual’s authentic identity negates their humanity. On a purely practical level, refusing to respect someone’s pronouns or name fosters an environment of institutionalized disrespect and harm.
A “Thin End of the Wedge” for DEI Rollbacks
Trans issues often serve as a testing ground for broader rollbacks. Once the framework for discrimination is set—be it in healthcare, civil rights legislation, or federal identification rules—other marginalized communities may be similarly targeted. Threats to DEI programs in colleges and workplaces echo this “domino effect,” as administrators and lawmakers use trans inclusion to justify dismantling broader anti-discrimination initiatives.
Spiritually, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam teaches that our destinies are intertwined. If one community loses fundamental safeguards, the entire social ecosystem is imperiled. Trans rights, therefore, must be seen not as an isolated battle but as a linchpin in the overall defense of equitable, inclusive societies.
The Social and Moral Consequences of Rollbacks
The normalization of anti-trans rhetoric and policy emboldens xenophobia, racism, and misogyny—a toxic alignment of prejudices that often converge to target multiple vulnerable groups simultaneously. In Hindu culture, and indeed many world traditions, historical acknowledgments of gender fluidity remind us that transgender and third-gender identities are far from novel. By constricting current legal protections for trans people, we also reject legacies of compassion (karuṇā) and the longstanding acceptance of gender diversity found in many religious texts and practices.
WHAT WE CAN DO
Contact Your Elected Officials
Urge them to reinstate trans-inclusive policies, from accurate passports and consistent documentation to comprehensive healthcare coverage.
Demand that they oppose or overturn any measures creating mismatched IDs or effectively banning visa approvals for trans travelers.
You can find your representatives at usa.gov/elected-officials.
Champion Non-Harm and Visibility
Advocate within your community—schools, workplaces, faith centers—to ensure trans people are recognized, respected, and supported in healthcare, employment, and daily life.
Oppose language erasure wherever you see it; inclusive vocabulary is essential for protecting marginalized communities.
Uphold Universal Dignity
Draw on the principles of ahiṃsā (non-harm), Ātman (divine spark within each person), and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (shared humanity) to reinforce why trans rights are human rights.
Engage in interfaith and intercultural solidarity, collaborating with other groups that champion social justice.
By contacting legislators and insisting on equal rights for transgender communities, readers can transform moral conviction into tangible action. Faith-based teachings, international human rights standards, and the simple ethical imperative to treat others as we would like to be treated.
Let our compassion (karuṇā) become concrete—through phone calls, petitions, legislative advocacy, and community-building—so that we can shape a society where every person can live authentically and without fear. When we honor the humanity of transgender individuals, we uphold the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—recognizing that in defending the rights of any one group, we defend the freedoms of us all.