Advocate NL 10/22/26

The Trump administration has once again all but erased transgender people from reports about sexual violence in prisons and jails across the country — except to report data about trans people as perpetrators of violence. The same reports mention transgender victims behind labels such as “other.”In an exclusive, in-depth piece for The Advocate, Adam Rhodes writes that the two Bureau of Justice Statistics reports, based on the results of the anonymous National Inmate Survey conducted in 2023 and 2024 that were released last week, glaringly obscure data about trans people as victims of violence behind bars.Sara Kielly, a trans woman incarcerated in New York, told The Advocate that trans people “are overrepresented and maliciously underprotected” behind bars in the United States.“I am not surprised that the current administration does not take seriously the barriers to safety and bodily integrity/autonomy faced by trans people incarcerated nationwide,” she said. “Sexual harassment and abuse of trans people in our nation’s prisons is rampant, and often committed with impunity.”Don't miss Adam's full report here.Until next time,Edgar Ramirez, Audience EditorExclusives like these are made possible with your help. Please consider becoming an Advocate supporter! For as little as $5 a month (that’s less than a cup of coffee nowadays!), your donation will help us continue providing the top LGBTQ+ journalism you receive in your inbox weekly.Trump Justice Department obscures trans victims of prison sexual abuse while singling out trans perpetrators‘They made the wrong decision’: Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus raises $40K after South Carolina pulls fundingStreisand effect? The GOP’s constant attack ads may be teaching Texas kids the word ‘transgender’Trump calls Democrat Annie Andrews a bigoted anti-trans slur at South Carolina rally for Darline GrahamLindsey Graham opposed LGBTQ+ rights. Three men say he paid them for sexGay congressman presses HUD