Difficult Week for the Istanbul Convention and Transgender Rights

Last week 10,000 Croatians marched to protest Croatia’s pending ratification  of the Istanbul Convention.  The convention, adopted by the Council of Europe in 2011, addresses domestic and gender violence.

The marchers protested the convention, claiming that implementation would lead to same sex marriage and lead to expanded transgender rights.  The protest was organized by political conservatives and the Catholic Church.  Protesters targeted recognition of a “third gender”.

In the United States, President Trump announced that transgender individuals who are serving in the military may be permitted to continue to serve.  But, the administration warned, transgender individuals may be assigned based upon their birth gender.  The New York Times reported that  those who have had sex adjustment surgery or require such surgery would not be allowed to serve.  While exceptions are permitted, this public policy shift portends increased discrimination and danger for transgender individuals who serve.