The dismissal of the case against Dr. Eithan Haim in U.S. district court in Houston comes as the Trump administration in its first week has already issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights.
Prosecutors had said that Haim, a 34-year-old surgeon, took the information and shared it with a conservative activist with “intent to cause malicious harm” to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, one of the nation’s largest pediatric hospitals.
Haim works in the Dallas area but had previously worked at Texas Children’s Hospital as part of his residency. The indictment alleged that Haim asked to reactivate his login there and in 2023 began accessing information on pediatric patients not under his care and then turned it over to a media contact.
My daughter and I are now in the UK with the intent to stay, and in just the few days I’ve been here it’s amazing to see how little people give a shit about conforming to any one look like Americans are. The diversity here of just the types of clothing people wear alone is so refreshing to see. Sure, there are stuffy upper-class people wearing suits all day, but there are also guys in African Dashikis and women who would not look out of place in any Middle Eastern country (I’m not a fan of the whole veil thing, but it’s still different). You don’t see this stuff in the U.S. outside of major cities, and not even close to as much there, and the city I am in right now is far from a major one. It’s a little hard to explain unless you see it yourself, but just walking a couple of blocks to the local mall and it looks and sounds like you’re in an international airport in terms of the people around you.
People think the U.S. has diversity, but just being here a week shows me the difference in terms of what we think of as diversity and diversity in other places. Sure, the UK has its problems with bigotry too, but it still feels so different.
I’ve seen a couple of your posts. Is your daughter trans? I only ask because as a trans person I’m needing to get healthcare wherever I move to and my needs seem tog globally be getting more controversial. Any tips for getting out?
She is not, she’s a lesbian. And unfortunately for you, we were lucky because of British law regarding me getting citizenship via my British father. I wish I had better news for you. I think every trans person needs to find a way out ASAP. Hopefully some country will start accepting trans asylum seekers. I sincerely wish you luck and hope you stay safe. And I feel the same for all of the trans people I know stuck in the U.S., including one of my daughter’s close friends. I totally would have taken him with my if I could. His parents are only semi-supportive. No hormones, but they let him wear an uncomfortable chest binder to hide his breasts.
Thanks for the quick reply! I’ve wondered about Canadian citizenship through family ties before, but my mom would have to assert her citizenship first and that’d never happen!
Also thanks for your well wishes. It’s a pretty trying time. We’re good, my partner and I, for now since we live in a liberal city on the West Coast. But I’ve read books. How long will that last? Nobody knows right now.
I hope your daughter’s friend is okay and stays safe!
I hope so too. I am so worried about him and every other queer person (not just trans people, they’re just the first) in America. Because it’s clear what this administration wants.
Last i heard Ireland is probably gonna be the premier refuge when things hit the fan. I know Japan has also been more accepting of refugees since the Ukraine war, but they still aren’t the best country to live in. Vietnam apparently loves foreigners, but i don’t think they are very progressive.
From what I have read about Japan, it’s pretty unfriendly to queer people. Ireland is much, much more welcoming. Also, I don’t know if they will be able to take refugees, but Scotland is generally considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly places in Europe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_in_Scotland
They even have queer history classes required in school!
https://www.gaytimes.com/life/scotland-will-become-the-first-country-in-the-world-to-add-lgbtq-history-to-school-curriculum/
Japan is only decent in many respects if you compare it to America/where America is going, i just knew they were accepting more refugees than they historically have.
Currently looking at Australia or NZ.
NZ seems like a pretty good bet although I’d love to know what I’m getting into if anyone has more thoughts. And I’ve been to Australia. I know what I’m getting into there but god I like Brizzy. The most racist people I’ve ever met have been in Australia.
Ireland has been of interest, my stepsister lives there and is trans.
And France, Spain, Portugal all come to mind also.
I think most important part of this is being open and informed on a new set of challenges. Everywhere has their own problems and I need to know about them but frankly we have the luxury of picking. Some of my friends do not and will not. We are all scared of what the future brings.
My cousin and her wife live in Portugal and absolutely love it. She is having the best time. She says they do require you to learn Portuguese. She’s a British/American dual national like me, but I have no idea what difference that makes.