Transgender track star Sadie Schreiner rushes to the court after being banned from the women’s category
Add Your Heading Text HereSports and discrimination can’t go hand in hand. Sports ask to expand the horizon, not to shrink it. But when it causes some unfair advantage to a section over others, discrimination might be the answer to settle for, no matter if that, in any way, can’t sit well with athletes like Sadie Schreiner. The transgender woman athlete, however, isn’t one to brood about that seething dissatisfaction in silence; she’s, in fact, taking it to the next stage against Princeton University, New Jersey. The 21-year-old runner is charging a lawsuit. Sadie Schreiner puts Princeton University on notice Reports suggested Princeton University barred the athlete from taking part in a women’s race held on May 3 at the Larry Ellis Invitational. Officials allegedly informed Schreiner 15 minutes before the race kicked off that the event would be specifically restricted to females, not trans women. “I do not want to assume, but you are transgender,” a Princeton official told Schreiner, as per the suit, typically leading it to the controversy that holds that official accountable to ”blatant and willful disregard of rights as a transgender woman…thereby causing Sadie Schreiner foreseeable and emotional harm.” — KarenFOrlando (@KarenFOrlando) But there’s another side to the story. It’s easier for a trans woman with equal physical strength to a man to easily dominate women in any athleric competition. To limit this massive loophole in the law, President Trump issued an executive order, separating trans women from the core women’s game back in February. Now, Sadie is challenging not only the Princeton school authority but also the president’s order, straight away. Sadie Schreiner makes it a point to stick to her ground “Among all the hurdles transfers usually have, there is an extra layer because it is trans, 50% of the country banned me from participating and that meant I couldn’t attend any of those colleges even if they reached out to me with a full ride,” Schreiner imposed her own logic over the national new norm back in December last year when many schools, sports governing bodies started to go by the president rule, banning number of trans athletes from the elite female category competitions. LGBT advocacy and human rights organisations might have her back in the fight, but it reflects a more critical question of social sentiment vs athletic fairness. The two-time All-American in the 200- and 400-meter events has been aiming to make it to the 2032 US Olympic team. It’s awful how she felt derogated after she was left running alone around the track by a single executive move. She said she felt ‘defeated’ listening to the news for the first time. The 21-year-old can’t see herself compete in anything but in the track and field events at any point. While her future looks to be in severe jeopardy, hopefully, there will be some middle path, safeguarding the interests of all parties. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Delhi govt notifies new rules to protect rights of transgender persons
The district magistrates (DMs) concerned will issue a certificate of identity for a transgender person within 30 days of receipt of a duly filled-in application, said the notification The Delhi government has notified rules for the protection of transgenders’ rights, paving the way for the issuance of identity cards to them and forming a welfare board to ensure their well-being, officials said on Wednesday. A recent notification issued by the Social Welfare Department of the government said that in exercise of powers conferred on him, Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has made the Delhi Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2025. The district magistrates (DMs) concerned will issue a certificate of identity for a transgender person within 30 days of receipt of a duly filled-in application, said the notification. A Transgender Welfare Empowerment Board is to be constituted by the Delhi government. It will consist of the social welfare minister as its ex officio chairman, it said. The Board will also have as its members a representative each from the home, finance, planning, law, labour, health, higher education, education and revenue departments, among other agencies. Three members each from non-governmental organisations or associations working for the welfare of transgender persons and the transgender community will also be members of the Board. The law to protect the rights of transgender people was notified by the Government of India in 2020, but it was not adopted by the previous government in Delhi, the officials said. The estimated number of transgenders in Delhi is not known, although according to the Census 2011, there were 4,200 such persons in the national capital. Further, there are just over 1,200 registered transgender voters in Delhi. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : BS Note: This news is originally published on https:/businessstandard.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Puerto Rico Bans Hormone Therapy, Gender Surgery for Transgender Youth
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Puerto Rico’s governor has signed a bill that prohibits hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from activists in the largely San Juan, Puerto Rico’s governor has signed a bill that prohibits hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from activists in the largely conservative US territory. The law approved late Wednesday applies to those younger than 21 and calls for 15 years in prison for any violators, as well as a USD 50,000 penalty and the revocation of all licenses and permits of medical staff. “Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences,” the law reads. “Therefore, it is the State’s duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being.” It also states that public funds cannot be used for such purposes. Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ Federation criticised the law in a statement Thursday. “Let there be no doubt: We will go to court to challenge the constitutionality of the governor’s cruel and inhumane signing of a law that criminalises health professionals for caring for trans minors,” said Justin Jesús Santiago, the federation’s director. Puerto Rico associations that represent physicians, surgeons, psychologists, social workers, lawyers and other professionals had urged the governor to veto the bill. Roughly two dozen US states have similar laws. (AP) (The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY) Courtesy : LatestLY Note: This news is originally published on https:/latestly.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Sam Ponder breaks silence on ESPN firing, claims transgender views and social media activity led to silent blacklisting
More than a year after her unexpected exit from ESPN, former NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder is finally sharing the behind-the-scenes truth—and it’s nothing like the “budget cuts” explanation viewers were fed in 2023. In a candid appearance on The Sage Steele Show, Ponder claimed that her support for female athletes and her cautious views on transgender participation in women’s sports led to internal pushback, quiet censorship, and ultimately, her departure. A retweet that triggered a warning and set the tone for her ESPN exit The tipping point came in July 2023, when Ponder retweeted a video of Paula Scanlan—a former teammate of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas—sharing her experience at UPenn. Ponder’s comment was mild: she simply encouraged followers to “listen.” But that act alone sparked a warning from a higher-up at ESPN. She recalled receiving a private email urging her not to “misgender people,” which she interpreted as a veiled threat. “I knew I was on the clock,” Ponder admitted. — sagesteele (@sagesteele) The network reportedly flagged more of her online activity, including a “liked” tweet from Megyn Kelly joking that “men don’t need gynecologists.” Ponder didn’t think it was controversial. “It was just a favorite,” she said. “I didn’t think that was a big deal.” ESPN listed it as budget cuts, but Sam Ponder says her schedule wasn’t the problem While ESPN cited cost-cutting as the official reason behind her departure—lumping her in with figures like Robert Griffin III—Ponder believes her limited role on Sunday NFL Countdown wasn’t actually draining company resources. Instead, she feels her open support for female athletes like Riley Gaines made her an internal liability. She even mentioned avoiding coverage of Gaines during Women’s History Month out of fear of backlash. “I knew I was supposed to talk about Riley,” Ponder confessed. “But I didn’t.” Sam Ponder has no regrets: “I wasn’t trying to be controversial” Despite the fallout, Ponder doesn’t feel bitter. She called her firing “one of the best things that’s ever happened” to her, saying, “I was on the hamster wheel. I wasn’t going to jump off on my own.” Her final message was clear: “I wasn’t trying to be controversial. I just wanted people to hear stories I wasn’t seeing on SportsCenter.” With the debate around inclusion in women’s sports only growing louder, Ponder’s revelations have reignited a culture war ESPN may not be able to sidestep much longer. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Mitr Clinic gets new avatar: India’s first transgender clinic in Hyderabad gets new lease of life
HYDERABAD: Mitr Clinic, India’s first exclusive clinic for transgenders set up in 2021 in Narayanguda, had a new lease of life after Tata Trust came to their rescue to fund the clinic after USAID stepped back. Having reopened on May 2, 2025, the Mitr Clinic has donned a new name – Sabrang. Managed by the YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRGCARE), an NGO focusing on HIV/AIDS treatment, the clinic will be open from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. It was in Jan 2025 when the clinic was forced to close after its funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was halted. All USAID funding was frozen following an order from US President Donald Trump. As a result, many members of the transgender community who were dependent on the clinic found it difficult to access the healthcare they needed. “Many prefer to come to this clinic since it provides privacy to the transgender community. Until Jan, the clinic used to serve 350 members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” said a member of the community. For 24-year-old Radhakrishnan, who works as a traffic assistant with the state police, Sabrang is where he hopes to continue his transition to a trans man. “For a few months, when the clinic was closed, I struggled. I was used to visiting Mitr regularly for hormone therapy. I had nowhere else to go when it was shut,” he said. Similarly, Ayesha Meera, a transgender woman who used to work as a counsellor for Mitr and now works as an advocacy officer for the Trans Equality Society, said: “I used to live in Tenali and travel 7-8 hours every day for hormone therapy at Mitr. Now that the clinic is open again, I can continue doing it. “Meanwhile, June being Pride Month, the clinic manager organised a pot-luck on Saturday, attended by their regular patients. “Here, I am not made to feel ashamed, and I feel comfortable. At other clinics, I was taunted and looked down upon,” a transgender person told TOI. “The HIV treatment programme is extensive. They provide PREP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a medication to prevent HIV, anti-retroviral therapy, and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, a medication to cure HIV). It’s also a place for the community to socialise and bond – it’s more like a second home,” said Rohit Mohite, a sexual health manager. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Transgender activist, Trump supporter: Who was Sophia Hutchins? Caitlyn Jenner’s manager who died in ATV accident
Transgender activist and former Donald Trump campaign surrogate Sophia Hutchins lost her life in a tragic ATV crash close to her manager Caitlyn Jenner’s house, TMZ reported on Friday. The 29-year-old had been riding an ATV along the road near Caitlyn’s residence when she collided with the bumper of a passing car. The crash sent the ATV over the edge of the shoulder, causing both Sophia and the vehicle to plunge 350 feet into a ravine. Sophia was declared dead Wednesday morning in Malibu, TMZ reported citing law enforcement and family sources. Who was Sophia Hutchins? Sophia Hutchins was a transgender entrepreneur, political surrogate for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and longtime friend and manager of Caitlyn Jenner. Born in Bellevue, Washington, she studied economics and finance at Pepperdine University, where she stepped down as class president during her junior year to focus on her gender transition. Inspired by Jenner’s public coming out in 2015, Hutchins credited the Olympian with giving her the confidence to fully embrace her transition, according to the New York Post. After graduating, Hutchins founded the sunscreen brand Lumasol and launched her own consulting firm. She became active in politics, supporting Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, making media appearances, and attending events at Mar-a-Lago, including the election night watch party. “It’s been a wild ride. From the convention & inauguration in 2016, to 2020, to the most insane campaign in US history in 2024, I love this family as if they were my own. I will keep fighting for America in any way I am told- we’ve made it this far and I don’t plan on stopping, only speeding up,” she wrote, adding, “There is no team of people, led by the man himself, The 47th POTUS @realdonaldtrump I would want to do it with! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
You can hate us trans people, but let us live: Thanuja Singam
Transgender activist-writer says Europe forces trans women to “pretend to be cis women” while India offers community support and workplace acceptance. A transgender activist and memoirist, Thanuja Singam speaks to Frontline about navigating identity across three countries, the weaponisation of beauty standards, and why she used sex as “the key to being a woman” in a patriarchal world that offers trans people both hatred and worship. Edited excerpts: What does gender mean to you? Gender doesn’t mean anything to me because we can’t specify anything by birth. A person has all the gender identities within themselves. I have seen many straight, cisgender men who have a feminine touch. And then, there are many cis women who have a masculine touch. We all are kind of fluid. Does that mean you do not believe in the man-woman binary at all? How does this work for transgender people? I don’t believe in that gender ideology. Society gives me the norm to be a transgender woman. The two-norm society decides how a transgender woman and a transgender man should look. People come up to me saying, “you look so good, you look like a cis woman.” But that’s not my intention. I wanted to feel the way… I wanted to look the way I felt. But society wanted me to look like a model. So there again, we have this problem. Let the person be the way they want to be. How much should doctors and psychologists be involved when someone transitions? Do you think treating gender issues as medical conditions is necessary? Well, it is necessary to have all this guidance. We are going to take medicines which are going to affect us, and give us side effects. So that’s why it’s very important for a young teenager or whoever is going through this path to know what they are doing. Psychotherapy is very important because you don’t know if it is gender identity disorder or if you are feeling different than the others. So in our community, sadly, there are many gay men who became transgender women without even knowing what the problem they have. Later on, you get to know about homosexuality. That’s why it’s very important that we show the difference between all the sexual minority groups and educate the youngsters who want to go through the path. You do talk about that confusion between being a transgender woman and gay. Can you explain it further? A transgender woman is a person who is trapped in a different body. They want to look the way they feel. And that’s what we call gender identity disorder. If it comes to homosexuality, a homosexual person is happy in their body. They don’t have this gender identity disorder. They have a different sexuality preference. They are not attracted to the opposite sex, they are attracted to the same sex, but therefore they don’t need to do anything to their body. You have lived in India, Sri Lanka and Germany. Is being transgender different in these places? Yes, there are many pros and cons. Time has changed a lot. People have changed. My sisters in India have evolved. They fought for their rights, and society started accepting them. So once I came back in 2016, that was my first time I came to India as a transgender woman. So I saw the privilege of being a transgender woman. Here in Europe, we are forced to act like a woman, which is nice. You won’t be labelled as a transgender woman. At the same time, you have to go through a thousand procedures to pass through. We call it passing through as a woman. You have to do a lot so that you can match into society, and that can be a burden. So every day you live with the fear that someone is going to tell your colleagues or your friends that you’re a transgender woman and you don’t know how they’re going to react. So you don’t have this transgender woman privilege here. You’re forced to be a cis woman. Even if it comes to the workplace, if you come up saying, I’m a transgender woman, it’s very hard to get a job. You will be having medical leaves because you’re going to do surgery. So that’s why you won’t get the job. So you have to pretend that you are a cis woman. Back in India, you can be proud saying you’re a transgender woman and the employer will be knowing your path. He will know that you have gone through this hard journey to be where you are today. And he will know that you are capable of doing the work. So you have this difference here. So you have pros and cons. And again, in India, you have a strong community. If you get discriminated against, there will be 50 girls next day fighting for you. Here you fight for yourself. What does beauty mean to you? What does it mean to transgender people? It’s peer pressure for us. It’s something which we have to do to match into society. I wanted to just look like a woman. But society forced me to look like a model. And nowadays, I’m fed up with showcasing transgender women as a beauty icon, as a model, and as beauty pageant contestants. The youngsters will just see the beauty side of being a transgender woman and that’s not what we are. There are more sides to us. Thanuja Singam says that writing the memoir was very important for her because she wanted to share what a transgender woman faces in her life to the world. Thanuja Singam says that writing the memoir was very important for her because she wanted to share what a transgender woman faces in her life to the world. | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement You mention that transgender people are excluded from feminist movements. What do you think about feminism today? Has it changed? It has become
Trump administration sues California Department of Education over transgender athlete policy, citing Title IX violations
In a move that has reignited the national debate around transgender rights in school sports, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Education and its high school sports authority, alleging that the state’s policies allowing transgender girls to compete on girls’ teams violate federal law. The Justice Department argues that California’s long-standing policy, which allows students to participate in sex-segregated programs based on their gender identity, violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education. The suit claims such inclusion “unfairly displaces” cisgender girls from podiums, awards, and potential college opportunities. A larger culture clash This legal action escalates a broader ideological clash between Republican-led federal agencies and Democratic states like California, which have championed transgender rights in education and athletics. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stark warning to other states with similar policies: “If you do not comply, you’re next.” California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office pushed back, calling the lawsuit a “cynical distraction” from more pressing education issues—such as the federal withholding of funds for enrichment programs. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which governs high school sports and is also named in the lawsuit, declined to comment, citing pending litigation. However, it has supported the inclusion of trans athletes under state law for over a decade. Legal and political fallout The lawsuit follows Trump’s public criticism of a transgender student-athlete who recently won state-level track titles. A letter from Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to CIF claimed that this participation violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. The federal Education Department had earlier launched investigations into California and other states, including Maine and Oregon, over similar policies. Maine’s governor, Janet Mills, has also clashed with Trump over threats to withdraw federal funding. Meanwhile, three Oregon athletes have filed a federal suit seeking to disqualify records set by transgender competitors, claiming their rights under Title IX were violated. Divided responses The issue continues to polarize the public. Conservative groups argue these lawsuits are necessary to protect “fairness” in girls’ sports. On the other hand, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, including Equality California, say the lawsuit is part of a broader assault on transgender youth and their right to participate fully in school life. Interestingly, even Governor Newsom has shown nuance. In a recent podcast, he questioned whether existing policies adequately ensure fairness, sparking criticism from both sides of the debate. What this means for students As this legal battle plays out, the future of trans inclusion in school athletics remains uncertain. While more than 25 U.S. states have enacted laws banning transgender girls from female sports, many of those laws are being challenged in court. For students, particularly those involved in competitive sports or applying for athletic scholarships, this ongoing legal conflict could affect team participation rules, eligibility standards, and how schools approach gender identity policies moving forward. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Navi Mumbai’s Cleanliness Drive Sees Historic Participation Of Transgender Citizens In Vashi
Organized in collaboration with the NGO Let’s Celebrate Fitness (LCF), the campaign was conducted under the supervision of Vashi Assistant Commissioner Sukhdev Yedve and Sanitation Officer Jayashree Adhal. Navi Mumbai: In a progressive step towards inclusive civic participation, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has actively involved transgender citizens in its cleanliness and hygiene awareness drive under the central government’s ongoing ‘Safai Apnao – Bimari Bhagao’ campaign. The initiative, aimed at encouraging public participation in sanitation efforts, saw enthusiastic involvement from members of the transgender community in the Vashi division. Organized in collaboration with the NGO Let’s Celebrate Fitness (LCF), the campaign was conducted under the supervision of Vashi Assistant Commissioner Sukhdev Yedve and Sanitation Officer Jayashree Adhal. Guided by the NGO’s head Richa Samit, transgender volunteers visited the fruit and vegetable market in Sector 9, Vashi, where they distributed awareness pamphlets and engaged with vendors on waste segregation and responsible disposal of organic waste. Vendors were also urged to avoid using plastic bags and to promote the use of cloth bags among customers. In a parallel activity, some participants held placards at busy intersections in Sector 9 and 16, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, to raise awareness among commuters about banning single-use plastics and the importance of waste classification. The messages were delivered to motorists waiting at signals, drawing attention to the broader objectives of the cleanliness drive. As part of the anti-plastic enforcement in Vashi, a vendor was fined Rs 5,000 for using banned plastic. Additionally, three vendors were each fined Rs 250 for littering in public spaces. In the Koparkhairane division, similar enforcement efforts were carried out in the MIDC area by a special anti-plastic squad under Assistant Commissioner Bharat Dhandhe and Sanitation Officer Rajusingh Chavan. Bhaskar Dairy was fined Rs 5,000 for possession of single-use plastic materials. The cleanliness awareness campaign is being implemented across Navi Mumbai under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde and the supervision of Additional Municipal Commissioner Sunil Pawar. The Solid Waste Management Department, led by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ajay Gadade and Officer Smita Kale, initiated the activity. “The idea was to ensureh widespread community engagement, with significant participation from women, senior citizens, and now, transgender citizens—marking a milestone in inclusive urban governance and public health promotion,” AMC Sunil Pawar said. Raina Assainar Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘Saheli Smart Card’: Women, Transgender Commuters To Get Free Bus Travel As Delhi Government Plans To Roll Out Smart Card From August 15
Delhi government will be rolling out the ‘Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgender people, allowing them to travel the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses for free of cost. According to sources, the Saheli Smart Card scheme is expected to be rolled out on August 15, Independence Day. New Delhi, July 8: Delhi government will be rolling out the ‘Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgender people, allowing them to travel the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses for free of cost. According to sources, the Saheli Smart Card scheme is expected to be rolled out on August 15, Independence Day. The scheme is meant to replace the ‘Pink Ticket’ system which was launched by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government. Pink passes were given to the resident women of Delhi and bus operators were compensated according to the number of tickets sold. “Women and transgender persons residing in Delhi aged 12 and above will be able to travel free of cost on DTC and Cluster buses,” according to the source. Ban on End-of-Life Vehicles: Delhi Govt To Make Changes to Vehicle Policy, To Scrap Only Polluting Vehicles. The ‘Pink Ticket’ scheme was launched by AAP in 2019. According to the Delhi government’s own data, a total of 100 crore pink tickets had been issued to women till the end of January 2023. By November 2024, over 150 crore pink tickets were issued. “In 2022, free travel for women via Pink tickets contributed to nearly 32 per cent of the total number of passengers travelling in a month,” the statement said. “In 2019-20, Delhi buses had a ridership of more than 160 crores. Due to COVID in the years 2020 and 2021, it dropped to 71 crores in 2020-21, slightly recovering to 93 crores in 2021-22. Since April 2022 till today, it has reached nearly 125 crores, almost 75 per cent of the pre covid numbers,” the statement added. However on March 29, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had claimed that the scheme had been mismanaged, along with the whole Delhi Transport Corporation, which led to a loss of Rs 70,471 crore. Delhi Govt Plans to Relieve Fire Service of Inspection, Issuing NOC Tasks. “They (AAP) turned a profitable department into a loss-making one. DTC suffered a loss of Rs 70,471 crore. There was an operational loss of Rs 14,198 crore. Buses were run on only 468 routes out of 814. Money was spent only on advertisements. Even the Rs 233 crore received from the Centre was not spent. There used to be 4344 buses, but during their tenure, the number reduced to 3937,” Delhi CM said in the Assembly. CM Rekha Gupta was referencing a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) which suggested that due to the government’s mismanagement and negligence, crores of rupees from Delhi taxpayers have been wasted. This report is now being referred to the Committee on Government Undertakings with instructions to submit its report within three months. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Courtesy : LatestLY Note: This news is originally published on https:/latestly.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.