Leave Trans Kids Alone
“Think of the children!” The politicians cry as they strip away rights and privileges that would directly support and protect children. Well, support and protect trans children. That’s right! Children are trans too! Not just adults, not just “blue-haired liberals,” no, trans children–even the ones who live in the Deep South and Midwest–exist!
As a child, I did not know what being transgender meant. It was not until I started to use the infamous Tumblr, where I learned more in depth about the LGBTQ+ community. When I was younger, I knew there was something consistently off about how I felt. I was a very anxious child, and I never quite felt like I could fit in. When I came across information surrounding trans people, I was finally given words for what I was feeling. It would not be until years later that I finally opened up about this to everyone in my life, but I am always glad I did.
In all the bills, laws, and proposals, that are put out to bar access to transgender healthcare, the biggest argument is that children are endangered by the existence of transgender adults. This idea stems from the fact that lately, transgender people have been able to exist in spaces and platforms that they never did before. There is more awareness surrounding the trans community, who trans people are, and that the movement is beneficial for the progression of the U.S.
When people in government continuously find ways to villainize the trans community, all they do is harm everyone in the long run. Children should not be subjected to full body checks to participate in sports, yet in Ohio it is completely legal for a sports coach to order the examination of a child’s body to confirm they are cis gender identifying.
Trans people are not going anywhere. Trans kids are not going anywhere. It is absurd that we continue to argue for the dismantling of trans equality and rights, when it is benefitting no one and harming millions.
