Welcome to the Empire Files podcast. This is your host, Abby Martin. This is the audio of our show.

You can watch the episodes on our YouTube channel or at the Empirefiles.tv.

On March 23rd, the Trump administration announced new discriminatory measures against transgender people

by banning them from military service, which had just been granted under Obama.

While this story has received widespread coverage, likely because it threatens the U.S. image as a compassionate empire,

it's just the latest attack on the trans community since the right wing took power.

Before Trump took office, the same forces of bigotry were waging this war.

In 2016 alone, more than 50 bills were introduced in Congress targeting the lives of trans people.

But now that the conservative movement occupies the highest seat of power,

they're seeing their anti-LGB fantasies plow through federal institutions.

Trump began this assault not even two months into his

administration, canceling landmark legislation in the Department of Education that protected

transgender youth from discrimination at school. Then the Department of Housing and Urban Development

withdrew two policies protecting LGBTQ people who are homeless. The Justice Department has launched multiple attacks, including issuing permission to private and state entities to discriminate based on sexual or gender orientation.

The Department of Health and Human Services opened a so-called religious freedom division to protect hateful doctors, hospitals, and health clinics that

want to refuse health care to LGBTQ patients.

And this just scratches the surface.

Many other major steps backward for gay and trans equality have passed, mostly hidden from

public view.

The emerging anti-trans policies only exacerbate long-standing legalized discrimination.

For example, in 30 states, well over half the country, one can be legally fired just on the basis of having a non-conforming gender identity.

Likewise, in the same number of states, one can be legally evicted from their home for nothing

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