Native America Calling: A new wave of resistance against Trans Native relatives

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Wednesday, March 5, 2025

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Trans Native Americans face a new wave of resistance

Iowa is testing new legal limits as the first state to remove gender identity as a protected class in the state’s civil rights code.

The Trump administration is also removing transgender service personnel from the military. And the State Department is using existing law against fraud to bar foreign transgender athletes from entering the country, something critics worry could be used to ban any trans traveler.

After years of progress, Native American trans residents are facing a major rollback of favorable laws and policies. Tune in to hear about the current public climate and what might be in store for the future.

Indianz.Com Audio: Two Spirit Panel at National Congress of American Indians #ECWS2025

"The new administration has taken target on LGBTQ people": Tyson Johnston, Quinault Nation Council, opens Two Spirit panel at National Congress of American Indians executive council winter session in Washington DC. @QuinaultNation @NCAI1944 #ECWS2025 pic.twitter.com/SKufwYDkYe
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2025

"We are your relatives. We are not any different from any relative you have": Elton Naswood, Executive Director of Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ+ Center for Equity, reminds tribes to include Two Spirit people in discussions and decisions. @NCAI1944 #ECWS2025 pic.twitter.com/1KfAwBQ4hU
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2025

"IHS has made immediate and significant changes": Mattie Jim, board emeritus of Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, says Indian Health Service has been instructed to make changes to gender affirming care and services by new administration. @IHSGov @NCAI1944 #ECWS2025 pic.twitter.com/0LHWmmL1SR
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2025

"The freeze on federal funds affected some of our schools": Sedelta Oosahwee of National Education Association reminds tribes to consult and include Two Spirit relatives as they advocate for the needs of Indian and public schools. @NCAI1944 #ECWS2025 pic.twitter.com/0QaNspmKAD
— indianz.com (@indianz) February 12, 2025

Guests on Native America Calling

Shelby Chestnut (Assiniboine), executive director of the Transgender Law Center, based in California

Stephanie Byers (Chickasaw), former Kansas state representative

Vernon Gonzales (Houma), trans advocate

Shuína Skó (Klamath Tribes), Two-Spirit poet, author, & cultural consultant