Transgender Americans say they're traveling less out of fear since the election, research shows
Michelle Rosenblum of Ventura is planning a family vacation to Hawaii. She is excited — but worried.
Rosenblum is transgender. After President Trump's election in November to a second term, she said, she rushed to get her identity documents in order as a matter of safety.
Rosenblum updated her California birth certificate to show she had transitioned. And she renewed her passport. She applied as a female but was stunned to receive a letter from the U.S. Department of State saying her application had to be changed 'to correct your information to show your biological sex at birth.'
As she prepares to fly, Rosenblum fears the discrepancy between her California Real ID — which says female — and her passport will create problems with the Transportation Security Administration.
In an email to The Times, Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokesperson, said the agency 'accepts documents for identity verification with an 'X' marker. There is no change to this policy.'
In California, residents have had the option to choose 'X' for nonbinary since 2019. But not all states allow this. And for transgender people who have transitioned from one gender to the other and do not fall under the 'X' category, discrepancies can remain.
Rosenblum is debating bringing a stack of documents to the airport that she would rather keep safe at home, such as her birth certificate, Social Security card, and a court order showing her change in gender.
'In the 10 years that I've been transitioned, I have never felt like, 'Whoa, I need to get all my papers together,'' said Rosenblum, who works in marketing. 'I was never concerned about traveling.'
In a newly released survey of transgender Americans by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, nearly a third of respondents said they were traveling less frequently as a result of the 2024 election.
Nearly 70% said they were less likely to go on vacation to states they viewed as more hostile to transgender people, particularly politically conservative states in the South and Midwest.
The survey, published this month, also showed that 48% of respondents were considering moving or had already moved to places in the U.S. they viewed as safer— notably, blue states such as California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Washington.
Forty-five percent of respondents said they wanted to move out of the country because of the current political climate.
'When you feel that you need to consider moving, you've been pushed to a certain point,' said Abbie Goldberg, the lead author of the survey and an affiliated scholar at the Williams Institute, which researches public policy surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.
'If you're a trans person living in the U.S., particularly in a state with not a lot of protections and some explicitly anti-trans legislation, you're thinking about your physical safety, your children's safety at school, the possibility you could be fired from your job and no way to push back.'
However, most respondents who wanted to move said they face barriers, including the high cost of living, in places such as California.
The survey of 302 transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse adults was conducted in December, before Trump's inauguration. Goldberg said the percentages of trans people wanting to move and declining to travel are probably higher now.
In his first 100 days, Trump issued executive orders banning trans women from women's sports and barring the federal government from recognizing genders other than male or female.
Trump also is pushing to ban transgender Americans from the U.S. military, writing in an executive order that transgender identity is a 'falsehood' inconsistent with the 'humility and selflessness required of a service member.' The Supreme Court cleared the way this month for that ban to take effect.
In California, Democrats are divided on some LGBTQ+ issues, such as trans athletes competing in women's sports. But progressive leaders have cast the state as a bulwark against Trump's opposition to transgender rights, which will probably be a big issue in the state's 2026 campaign for governor.
Rosenblum said she is grateful to live in California, where she feels protected by the state's antidiscrimination laws. But as she gets ready for vacation, she said, 'it feels like people are trying to shove me back into the closet.'
Email us at essentialcalifornia@latimes.com, and your response might appear in the newsletter this week.
Today's great photo is from contributor Gioncarlo Valentine in the studio of artist Diego Cardoso, who is painting L.A. as it really moves, one street at a time.
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew Campa, Sunday writerKarim Doumar, head of newsletters
How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
4 minutes ago
- CBS News
GOP leaders cite L.A. immigration protests to push for quick passage of Trump's "big, beautiful bill"
Washington — The White House and Republican leaders in Congress are urging lawmakers to quickly get behind the centerpiece of President Trump's legislative agenda, saying the ongoing immigration protests in Los Angeles adds urgency to the push to secure additional resources for border security. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on X on Monday that the legislation, which addresses Mr. Trump's tax, energy and immigration priorities, "provides the ESSENTIAL funding needed to secure our nation[']s borders." Republicans call the legislation the "one big, beautiful bill." "The lawlessness happening in LA is ANOTHER reason why we need to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill IMMEDIATELY," Johnson said, pledging that Congress will support Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who he said are "fighting to keep Americans safe against illegal aliens AND the radical left." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a similar message earlier Monday, saying the scenes unfolding in some areas of Los Angeles "prove that we desperately need more immigration enforcement personnel and resources." "America must reverse the invasion unleashed by Joe Biden of millions of unvetted illegal aliens into our country," Leavitt said in a post on X. "That's why President Trump's One Big, Beautiful Bill funds at least one million annual removals and hires 10,000 new ICE personnel, 5,000 new customs officers, and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents." Speaker of the House Mike Johnson holds a press conference after the House narrowly passed a bill forwarding President Trump's agenda at the U.S. Capitol on May 22, 2025, in Washington, legislation is now in the hands of the Senate after the House narrowly approved it last month following weeks of intraparty disagreement over its components. Though the bulk of the funding allocated in the legislation goes toward tax cuts, it also includes resources aimed at bolstering border security and defense. It provides $46.5 billion for the border wall, $4.1 billion to hire Border Patrol agents and other personnel and more than $2 billion for signing and retention bonuses for agents. It also imposes an additional $1,000 fee for people who are filing for asylum in the U.S. The disagreement among Republicans over the bill has largely centered on cuts meant to offset the bill's spending, including restrictions to Medicaid. In the House's razor-thin GOP majority, the disagreements threatened to tank the bill's progress at every stage. And as the bill moved to the Senate for consideration last week, Johnson warned the upper chamber against making significant changes that would throw off the delicate balance. Senate Republicans initially voiced support for separating the complicated tax components and border security provisions into two separate bills to deliver Mr. Trump a victory on immigration early on in his tenure. But House Republicans opposed the approach, expressing doubts that the president's agenda could pass through the narrow GOP majority in the lower chamber in separate parts. Senate Republicans are now seeking to amend the House-passed bill, sending it back to the House for approval with a goal of getting the legislation to the president's desk by the July 4 holiday. And with a 53-seat majority, the upper chamber can afford to lose just three Republicans. Last week, opposition from Elon Musk threatened to throw a wrench into the legislation's progress, after he stoked concerns by fiscal hawks about the bill's impact on the deficit. The episode, which began with Musk calling the bill "a disgusting abomination," erupted into a dramatic and public feud between Musk and the president last week. But the dispute did not appear to spark significant new opposition the the bill in Congress. The urgency expressed Monday surrounding securing additional border resources comes as Mr. Trump called for the National Guard to enforce order in the L.A. area amid protests over activity by ICE, prompting a clash with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom warned that the move would inflame the situation, while urging that there is no shortage of law enforcement. The governor indicated late Sunday that his office plans to sue the Trump administration over Mr. Trump's move. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the president's move on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" Sunday, claiming Newsom "has proven that he makes bad decisions." "The president knows that [Newsom] makes bad decisions, and that's why the president chose the safety of this community over waiting for Gov. Newsom to get some sanity," Noem added.
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Opinion - Democrats are looking for answers — outside Washington
On the campaign trail, President Trump made a lot of promises. He promised to strengthen our economy. He promised to make our government more efficient. He promised to bring down costs. But after more than 100 days in, our economy is not strengthened, our government is certainly not more efficient, and costs are not down. The president has entangled us in trade wars with some of our closest trading partners — wars that erased $10 trillion from the stock market this spring and threaten to decimate family farms in my district and across the country. And with the help of the Department of Government Efficiency, he has waged an all-out assault on the federal government in an effort to weed out 'waste, fraud, and abuse.' I believe the American people elected Trump because they wanted solutions to pocketbook issues and a government that took action to get things done. But the president's agenda isn't working, and Democrats need to deliver. That's where the New Dem Coalition comes in. Before I explain why, I want to acknowledge that Democrats haven't always gotten everything right. During the election, we saw many working class voters drift away from the party. At times, our emphasis on identity politics or concepts like 'saving democracy' — while undeniably important — overshadowed the core economic issues that affect people's everyday lives. Instead of meeting voters where they are, we sometimes come across as telling them where they should be. That approach can feel out of touch and give the impression that the party is elitist, disconnected from the realities of everyday people. Working class voters are focused on how they'll afford their mortgage, put food on the table, or save for their kids' college — not necessarily on abstract debates about the soul of the nation. Don't get me wrong: the threat to democracy is real and urgent, especially with a president who shows little respect for courts or the Constitution. But if we're truly going to save democracy, we must build a broader coalition and bring more voters along. That means meeting people where they are, rather than telling them what should matter most. We need to address the tangible, kitchen-table issues that keep folks up at night. The New Dem Coalition has always done this. We have prioritized the needs of hard working Americans over the politics of D.C. We understand that we should be finding ways to make our government more efficient. We understand that we have to work across the aisle when we can — without compromising our values. That's why New Dems are crafting a proactive agenda — not only to win the House majority in 2026, but to maintain it for the long term. So, we're getting out of the D.C. bubble for a new series known as 'New Dems On the Road.' We'll be engaging with communities across the country, and gathering the critical feedback we need to guide our work. We're tackling every issue — from improving education outcomes to bolstering our national security — and working to find practical, lasting solutions that reflect the values and priorities of the American people. For our first stop, we zeroed in on immigration. Immigration isn't a problem we're going to solve overnight, but it's one that is consistently top of mind for the American people. We've come close to bipartisan solutions, only for selfish interests to squash our efforts in the 11th hour. That's why New Dem Immigration and Border Security Working Group members Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) sat down with Arizona leaders to talk about immigration. They met with industry and union representatives, members of the Arizona business community, and DACA recipients to discuss the importance of immigrants to Arizona's economy. The panel addressed the need to secure our border and pass a long-lasting immigration reform policy. It was instructive. And it showed the folks in these communities that we are listening to them. We know we don't have it all figured out — that's why we need real, local voices to help guide our work. Voices on the ground who are living and breathing these problems every single day. Then, it was my turn. I joined my friends Reps. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) for a conversation around clean energy and potential opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. We discussed the actions the Trump administration has taken to gut clean energy tax credits. There is no way around it — this is going to have a negative impact on people's utility bills. They will feel this. We also discussed what's ahead — like permitting reform, carbon capture and ultimately ways we can lower costs for people trying to keep the lights on, not raise them. Last month, Reps. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) got together to talk one-on-one with Delawareans about paid family and medical leave for working families. This is just the beginning. In total, we'll be conducting at least nine New Dems On the Road events — across the country. We need to come together, share ideas and forge a new path forward. A path that can address the issues that demand our attention: whether it's a single mom struggling to afford child care, a farmer looking to break into new markets, or a family who wants a good, public school education for their kids. We should all be committed to finding effective ways to achieve our shared goals and ensure that the government serves the people better. This isn't a partisan objective; it's a matter of common sense. However, real progress requires thoughtful strategy and careful action, not reckless cuts. Simply slashing budgets without consideration doesn't eliminate waste — it erodes the very foundation of what our government is meant to do: serve its citizens. New Democrats understand this deeply. We recognize that this moment calls for a meaningful response and an agenda that inspires — not the status quo. Our communities have elected us to take action, to solve problems and to improve lives. Now, more than ever, Democrats need to prove we can deliver Nikki Budzinski represents the 13th District of Illinois and is vice chair for policy for the New Dem Coalition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
No Kings: ‘Activist fair' planned at Colorado Capitol on Trump's birthday, DC parade day
DENVER (KDVR) — The group that planned a series of national protests earlier this year against the Trump administration is planning an 'activist fair' in Denver this weekend on President Trump's birthday and the day of a large military parade in Washington, D.C. Colorado's chapter of 50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement, is planning 'No Kings: The People's Fair' on Saturday at Veteran's Memorial Park in front of the Colorado state Capitol, what they call an activist fair on a day of 'No Kings' protests across the country. The 50501 group also planned the February nationwide protests, which thousands in Denver joined in at the state Capitol. What to know about Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to LA protests 'They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,' the event's website reads. 'The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.' Saturday's day of action comes on President Trump's 79th birthday, June 14, which lawmakers attempted to make a national public holiday and is also the day Trump has planned a large military parade to commemorate his birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. More than 7,000 soldiers will reportedly be housed in government office buildings ahead of the parade, according to The Hill. The fair will feature an interactive choir, interactive art exhibits, a community mural, Black Block Demonstrations, live music and more, according to a press release. The group says it expects 8,000 people to participate in Saturday's event, which will run from noon to 4 p.m. Colorado 50501 says it is partnering with partnering with the Party for Social Liberalism, Women's Strike and Raise Her Voice, Solidarity Warriors, Denver Indivisible Action, Show Up for Good and Notes of Dissent, and dozens of other groups are expected to participate. 350 Colorado AFSCME Aurora Unidos CSO Colfax and cream FOOD TRUCK Colorado Doula Project Common Ground People's Collective Compassionate Counseling of Denver Denver Communists Denver Justice Project Denver People's March Denver Visible Denver/Boulder Jewish Voice for Peace First Unitarian Society of Denver Friends of Standing Together Colorado Immigrant Protection Teams Indivisible Denver Action Indivisible Westminster Mines Students for a Democratic Society Mutual Aid Monday Notes of Dissent Marching Band Our Revolution Metro Denver Pulse Colorado Revolutionary Communists of America (RCA) Showupforgood Sierra Club Colorado Stand Up For Science (Colorado Local Team) Sunrise Movement Denver Hub Third Act Colorado Together Denver Unity Harbour Working Families Party The day of action also comes amid large protests in Los Angeles against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Trump has deployed at least 300 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles to respond to immigration protests, over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, The Associated Press reported. The group organizing the 'No Kings' day released a statement on the LA protests. 'President Trump wants you to believe that the people of Los Angeles are destroying their own communities. That's false. Here's the truth: people are peacefully and lawfully protesting the Administration's abuses of power and the abduction of their neighbors by ICE.' In addition to the activist fair, more than a thousand protests and events are planned across the country for Saturday, with at least 40 in Colorado from Grand Junction to Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. The full list of events can be viewed here. The No Kings events were pre-planned before the Los Angeles protests began, and organizers say all events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
