What is it about queer comics that scares right-wing politicians so much? Conversely, what makes them such a powerful medium for queer and trans storytelling?

This week, Xtra launches Comics Against Censorship, a series of five brand-new original comics focused on themes of censorship against LGBTQ2S+ content. Comics Against Censorship is an Xtra editorial initiative dedicated to retired Pink Triangle Press board member Didier Pomerleau, who has long been a vocal advocate against censorship.

That was disturbing news to Angelica Jadunandan, who moved to New York from Florida with her two young daughters three years ago. Her older daughter, who is eight, is transgender, and Angelica wanted to move them to a safe blue state—somewhere her family’s medical care would not be called into question. New York is a self-declared “sanctuary state” for trans people. It seemed like a good option.

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has refused to allow the Bureau of Prisons to immediately reinstate sweeping restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for incarcerated transgender people, finding the government failed to make the strong showing necessary to suspend a lower court injunction while its appeal proceeds.

In an order filed Sept. 18, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied the Trump administration’s request to stay an Aug. 26 preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of Bureau of Prisons Program Statement 5260.01.

The appellate court did not issue a final ruling on the legality of the BOP policy. Instead, Judges Robert Wilkins and Bradley Garcia concluded the government had failed to satisfy the stringent requirements necessary to obtain a stay pending appeal. Judge Justin Walker dissented.