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March 16, 2025

Weekend Edition: Academic freedom at universities, teaching boys empathy, and fighting transphobic passport policy.

Last month, the ACLU sued Trump and the State Department over the administration’s refusal to allow gender marker changes on U.S. passports. This is part of the intentional dehumanization of trans people led by the Trump administration, stemming from a January executive order rejecting the existence of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. Already, trans and nonbinary people are receiving passports that have the wrong sex marker.

Use this form on the ACLU website to tell the State Department that everyone deserves accurate passports that match who we are. You can submit comments anonymously on the federal register website: Application For Passport (DS-11), Renewal Application (DS-82), and Replacement, name change, correction (DS-5504).

Two new sessions in March to build more resilient, responsive and inclusive teams

Rupture and Repair in the Workplace

Monday, March 24 | 3-5pm EST

This two-hour intensive session focuses on navigating moments of tension and conflict as they arise in professional settings. Participants will learn practical, real-time strategies for de-escalating situations, intervening effectively, and rebuilding trust after moments of rupture.

Through hands-on practice and scenario work, we’ll develop a personalized toolkit for addressing workplace tensions while maintaining cultural awareness and psychological safety.

Conflict Evolution: From Friction to Transformational Change

Tuesday, March 25 | 3-5pm EST

With tensions and anxieties at an all-time high in a politicized landscape, effective tools for conflict resolution is a must.

This two-hour workshop on conflict resolution applies a culturally-responsive, inclusive framework to navigating challenging conversations, mediating tense scenarios, and fostering understanding with opposing viewpoints.

Should boys talk about their feelings more? There’s a partisan divide. New studies from the Pew Research Center show that while opinions on raising boys haven’t shifted much since 2017, more people think girls receive the right emphasis on leadership, feelings and school. 19th News >

Indigenous advocates in Canada argue that mining companies violate the rights of nature. A panel of nine judges heard cases against Canadian mining companies, ultimately ruling that they had violated “collective rights, Indigenous rights, and rights of nature” and finding the industry guilty of “ongoing ecocide.” Grist >

Legal threat to long-standing disability law sets precedent for future civil rights attacks, advocates warn. Texas v. Becerra targets Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act after the Biden administration included gender dysphoria as a protected disability. Prism >

In the face of empty promises, Baltimore residents take on environmental injustice in their communities. South Baltimore Community Land Trust and Baltimore Compost Collective are two local organizations fighting to “put the life of the people first.” Prism >

Trump’s DEI attacks are affecting diverse hiring goals the most. Among the 37 firms that announced a combined 118 changes, 47% revised or eliminated diversity hiring goals, the report found. Bloomberg >

Street vendors and other NYC immigrant workers brace for renewed deportation threats under Trump. Advocates are focused on fortifying labor protections for immigrant workers at the state and local level: “These are frontline workers who are feeding and serving every New Yorker.” Prism >

People criticizing Disney's Win or Lose over cut trans storyline say their comments are being hidden. The company confirmed they cut the trans storyline in December saying, "we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline. them >

Trump’s attack on the Department of Education, explained. The Trump administration just put millions of students’ education and civil rights at risk by closing key Department of Education offices and firing half of its workforce. ACLU >

'Not dead but ... not OK.' As fentanyl kills fewer people, survivors need help. About 30,000 fewer Americans die each year from street drugs. Survivors in one of the most drug-scarred cities say their community is trying to help, but the safety net feels dangerously thin. NPR >

Israel hits Gaza with deadly strikes as ceasefire talks remain stalled. Nine people, including three local journalists, died this weekend as fighting continues in Gaza. Dozens of people have been killed by Israeli fire despite the January 19 ceasefire agreement. Reuters >

Federal spending bill contains bitter medicine for Black Americans. Black federal workers narrowly averted being furloughed in a government shutdown, but face deep cuts to the federal budget, impacting workforce training and treatment for substance abuse and mental health. Capital B News >

As ICE jails Palestinian protester, universities must commit to academic freedom. Universities may sow their own demise if they continue to aid the suppression of pro-Palestine campus movements. In These Times >

March Book Club Pick

This month, we’re reading Pet by Akwaeke Emezi!

“In a world that believes it has rid itself of all monsters, Jam discovers that some truths can’t stay buried. With a mix of fantasy and deep insight, Pet challenges us to look beyond what we’re told and consider what justice really means.”

Read along with us by subscribing to the Banned Books Book Club newsletter, following us on Instagram, and joining the live discussion on Wednesday, April 9 at 7pm EST.