Organizer of transgender history conference in Canada says U.S. participants now afraid to cross the border

The chair of transgender studies at the University of Victoria, Aaron Devor, is expressing concern about the potential drop in attendance at this year’s Moving Trans History Forward conference. Devor anticipates a 40 per cent decrease in numbers, primarily due to fears among potential U.S. attendees about crossing the border back into the United States.

The reason for this apprehension stems from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump’s administration in January. The order declared that the federal government only recognizes two sexes, male and female, which are considered immutable biological classifications from conception. This policy has sent a chill through the trans community, causing many individuals to feel unsafe and reluctant to travel outside of the United States.

Devor had initially hoped for 500 attendees at the biennial trans history conference, based on past events. However, it is now expected that only around 300 individuals will be in attendance. The significant decrease is largely attributed to Americans being fearful of leaving their country due to concerns about potential repercussions upon their return.

The Trump administration’s executive order also mandates that all government-issued identification, including passports and visas, accurately reflect the holder’s sex as either male or female. This directive has particularly impacted non-binary individuals, as the U.S. State Department has ceased issuing travel documents with an “X” gender marker, limiting options to only “M” or “F” markers matching a person’s assigned sex at birth.

Given the current climate of fear and uncertainty, many trans-plus individuals in the U.S. are hesitant to travel to Canada for the conference, as they worry about the implications upon re-entering their own country. The event, which brings together activists, academics, and artists from around the world, aims to address historical and contemporary issues impacting the transgender community on a global scale.

One of the keynote speakers at the conference is American philanthropist Jennifer Pritzker, a retired lieutenant colonel from the Illinois Army National Guard who came out as transgender in 2013. Pritzker has been a vocal critic of Trump’s policies targeting transgender individuals, particularly the attempts to ban them from serving in the military.

Immigration lawyer Adrienne Smith, who is scheduled to speak at the conference, emphasizes the importance of providing a safe space for trans individuals to gather and discuss crucial issues, especially in the face of escalating transphobia and misinformation spread by the Trump administration. Smith notes that many trans people in the U.S. have been seeking legal assistance to immigrate to Canada due to the hostile environment back home.

Despite the challenges posed by the current political climate, Devor and other organizers are committed to ensuring that the Moving Trans History Forward conference remains a platform for advocacy, research, and community-building within the transgender community. Despite the obstacles, they are determined to uphold the conference’s mission of promoting inclusivity, education, and empowerment for all attendees.