Free Republic

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump used contentiousness around transgender people’s access to sports and bathrooms to fire up conservative voters and sway undecideds. And in his first months back in office, Trump has pushed the issue further, erasing mention of transgender people on government websites and passports and trying to remove them from the military. It’s a contradiction of numbers that reveals a deep cultural divide: Transgender people make up less than 1% of the U.S. population, but they have become a major piece on the political chess board — particularly Trump’s. For transgender people and their allies —...

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 7 -- For years, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area has been known for its liberalism and tolerance, especially when it comes to religion. Many Muslims, including the largest population of Somalis outside of Mogadishu, make their home in the Twin Cities. The area just elected the nation's first Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison (D). "We are well known for acceptance at a period in time when much of America feels like an unwelcome place" for Muslims, said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. "This is a place where Muslims are succeeding and thriving in leadership positions." So, last month's removal of six...

ONTARIO NY-Wayne County investigators will consider an Ontario man's sex change as they search for a motive in the strangulation death of the man's wife. The Wayne County District Attorney's office confirmed Craig Musso, charged with the murder of his newlwed wife, Linda White, was born Wendy Musso. District Attorney Rick Healy said Musso underwent surgical procedures and hormone therapy over a number of years to become a man. The 44 year-old is accused of strangling his wife at their Ontario home November 12th, a month after the two were married. The couple had an eight-month online courtship. They met...