I'm sure you've read the beautiful letter from uber-conservative Utah Governor Cox on this, when he vetoed an anti-trans-kids-in-sports bill. The last part, where he lays out the reality of this - that it's just horrendous bullying of vulnerable children dealing with a mysterious condition - always chokes me up (long quote follows):
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Finally, there is one more important reason for this veto. I must admit, I am not an expert on transgenderism. I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion. I also try to get proximate and I am learning so much from our transgender community. They are great kids who face enormous struggles. Here are the numbers that have most impacted my decision: 75,000, 4, 1, 86 and 56.
75,000 high school kids participating in high school sports in Utah.
4 transgender kids playing high school sports in Utah.
1 transgender student playing girls sports.
86% of trans youth reporting suicidality.
56% of trans youth having attempted suicide.
Four kids and only one of them playing girls sports. That’s what all of this is about. Four kids who aren’t dominating or winning trophies or taking scholarships. Four kids who are just trying to find some friends and feel like they are a part of something. Four kids trying to get through each day. Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few. I don’t understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly. For that reason, as much as any other, I have taken this action in the hope that we can continue to work together and find a better way. If a veto override occurs, I hope we can work to find ways to show these four kids that we love them and they have a place in our state.
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Utah legislature overrode the veto; so I guess those four kids don't have a place in that state, except as punching bags.
A couple of things...When I see that they want folks to use the restroom of the gender assigned at birth, I wonder how many women would freak out when a trans man enters the RR. Oh no! There is a MAN in our space! Call Security!!! And they say it is all about safety, but we know that trans women using a men's room may be subject to verbal or physical harassment, so not a particularly safe place for them.
I also wonder why so many people care. I get that it would be difficult for me if I was dealing with a family member who wanted to transition, but we would manage. But how am I affected if the person across the street or a co-worker or my friend's kid or anyone else decides they want to transition? I doesn't affect me. It is not my concern. Why do we spend so much energy on this?
I'm sure you've read the beautiful letter from uber-conservative Utah Governor Cox on this, when he vetoed an anti-trans-kids-in-sports bill. The last part, where he lays out the reality of this - that it's just horrendous bullying of vulnerable children dealing with a mysterious condition - always chokes me up (long quote follows):
*****************
Finally, there is one more important reason for this veto. I must admit, I am not an expert on transgenderism. I struggle to understand so much of it and the science is conflicting. When in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion. I also try to get proximate and I am learning so much from our transgender community. They are great kids who face enormous struggles. Here are the numbers that have most impacted my decision: 75,000, 4, 1, 86 and 56.
75,000 high school kids participating in high school sports in Utah.
4 transgender kids playing high school sports in Utah.
1 transgender student playing girls sports.
86% of trans youth reporting suicidality.
56% of trans youth having attempted suicide.
Four kids and only one of them playing girls sports. That’s what all of this is about. Four kids who aren’t dominating or winning trophies or taking scholarships. Four kids who are just trying to find some friends and feel like they are a part of something. Four kids trying to get through each day. Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few. I don’t understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly. For that reason, as much as any other, I have taken this action in the hope that we can continue to work together and find a better way. If a veto override occurs, I hope we can work to find ways to show these four kids that we love them and they have a place in our state.
*********************
Utah legislature overrode the veto; so I guess those four kids don't have a place in that state, except as punching bags.
A couple of things...When I see that they want folks to use the restroom of the gender assigned at birth, I wonder how many women would freak out when a trans man enters the RR. Oh no! There is a MAN in our space! Call Security!!! And they say it is all about safety, but we know that trans women using a men's room may be subject to verbal or physical harassment, so not a particularly safe place for them.
I also wonder why so many people care. I get that it would be difficult for me if I was dealing with a family member who wanted to transition, but we would manage. But how am I affected if the person across the street or a co-worker or my friend's kid or anyone else decides they want to transition? I doesn't affect me. It is not my concern. Why do we spend so much energy on this?