New York Times faces accusations of biased anti-Trans coverage
Over 180 New York Times contributors joined more than a hundred organizations and celebrities in calling out the world-renowned newspaper's prejudiced coverage of Trans issues on February 15. The HRC, GLAAD, PFLAG, and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund were among those that signed the letter, which included three key demands:
• Stopping printing biased anti-Trans stories, immediately
• Listening to Trans people (holding a meeting with Trans community leaders within two months)
• Hiring at least four Trans writers and editors within three months

"From the front page to the opinion page, readers are too often getting an inaccurate view of transgender people, with poor reporting that elevates harmful opinions from known anti-trans voices and so-called 'concerns' over the fact that every leading medical organization affirms healthcare for trans youth as safe and necessary," said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, in a press statement. "And even more dangerous, politicians are using biased Times articles to justify support for anti-trans legislation."

The Times responded publicly: "The very news stories criticized by GLAAD in their letter reported deeply and empathetically on issues of care and well-being for trans teens and adults. Our journalism strives to explore, interrogate, and reflect the experiences, ideas, and debates in society — to help readers understand them. Our reporting did exactly that, and we're proud of it."

On Thursday, February 16, the New York Times published an op-ed titled "In Support of JK Rowling." Many have called Rowling's views on gender transphobic.

Montana law only prevents deadnaming as bullying
After critics argued that a Montana bill would prevent schools from protecting Trans students from being misgendered and deadnamed, lawmakers amended the legislation, adding that schools would be allowed to discipline offenders when such behavior rises to the level of bullying.

Trans advocates argued during hearings that the change wasn't enough, since the modified bill depends on the state's legal definition of bullying. Also, the bill declares that misgendering and deadnaming Trans students by their classmates is not illegal discrimination.

Montana Pride President Kevin Hamm said, "Putting something in there that says, 'Oh, I can't get in trouble for using your deadname or misgendering you because it's on your legal paperwork' is still an attack on Trans people and will be used as an attack on Trans people."

Meanwhile the bill's sponsor, Rep. Brandon Ler, implied that he was defending children from having to "call somebody something they're not."