Lawmakers: Listen to Young Trans People

“I would tell them to fight back! You have just as much of a right to be here as they do. Never sit back and allow someone to strip away your identity. You are real and you are valid!”

“I know it is a scary and uncertain time right now, but we still have each other. Your trans siblings are ALWAYS here for you, and we will continue to fight for you until this oppression ends. They continue to restrict our rights and our freedoms, but we will continue to exist even if they try to erase us and our history. We didn’t get to this point just to give up, so KEEP FIGHTING!”

“You are valid and you are strong. Do not let ignorant individuals try to tell you your worth because, trust me, you are worth so much more than you realize. I know it’s difficult to feel that way when we, as a community, are facing ongoing attacks, but we have existed all throughout history. We were valid then and are valid now. While I know we shouldn’t have to, we will continue to fight as those before us did. Don’t give up. There is a community that loves you and will have your back, and it will only grow as our fight continues.”

“Living in the South, transphobia and homophobia shows up not only through speech, but also by taking away our visibility. By having a community attempt to strip us of our identity, it’s almost like they’re trying to make it seem like we never existed.”

“A lot of the time, it’s mainly uneducated groups of people that make ‘jokes’ attacking trans and queer people. This is typically in high schools, and I have seen it a couple times in college too. This type of language often makes us feel unsafe and unwelcome in an environment that should be safe and welcoming. This also stops a lot of queer and trans folks from truly being themselves, so these ‘jokes’ are not just silly little words.”

“Unfortunately, anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric, especially against the trans community, is everywhere, including California. This language ranges from purposeful misgendering to direct and sometimes violent attacks on the community. I experience such misgendering or general harassment on a frequent basis for being in the men’s bathroom or simply existing. It’s disheartening and alienating. It makes one feel as though they do not belong. Furthermore, the local Moms for Liberty (a transphobic nationwide organization) in my area is loud and active at every political event possible. Their harmful rhetoric creates an environment that is toxic to inclusivity and often silences LGBTQIA+ voices.”

“Leave our rights alone! We are no different than you. All we want is to live without the fear of being attacked simply for existing by transphobes. If lawmakers have a problem with the existence of their constituents, maybe they shouldn’t be lawmakers.”

“Why do we bother you so much? We are just people trying to live like everyone else, we don’t want to hurt anyone. You put us in more danger, and you know that—you don’t care about protecting women and children, because if you did, you would be passing better legislation for public safety—not attacking trans and queer folks. We will continue to be here whether you like it or not. You’d better get used to it, because we are not going away.”

“Have you ever sat and had a conversation with a trans person about something other than their gender identity? We are people too. We have hobbies, dreams, lovers, family, favorite foods, and friends, just like you. I bet if you talked to me, if you really talked to me, without even realizing I was trans, you would like me as a person. How come who I am, something I didn’t choose, my true self that I love, changes that? Have you ever sat in your room, on the floor, crying, because you are who you are and people hate you for it? Because you can’t be or express your true self without being alienated? Have people ever failed to understand you out of pure ignorance? Not even given you a chance? If they have, maybe you can understand. If you haven’t experienced these things, try and imagine them.”

“I’ve seen young trans people in my community show up as our authentic selves. Joy is one of the biggest, most beautiful acts of resistance, and we radiate that. I’ve also seen young trans individuals host text banks, letter writing events, and phonebanks to demand that their rights be protected.”

“I have seen youth trans folks EXISTING and doing so OBNOXIOUSLY. Being obnoxious about your identity and truly being yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do, and a lot of my younger friends taught me how to do that. We continue to exist and be happy that we are who we are, and that joy is an act of beautiful resistance. ‘We buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night.’”

“There are a variety of ways trans people have been able to show up and resist the hate we have been actively receiving. This includes sharing our stories, supporting one another, protesting against hate, and just, most of all, uplifting our voices where we can. I myself have had the privilege to speak on my experiences as a trans person in political and educational fields, as well as provide support to others within my community. I think right now, that support within our community is key, especially for those who aren’t in a position to openly oppose transphobic attacks. Those who, like myself, have that privilege must continue to use it to fight.”