This year, it feels more important than ever to be visible as a non-binary, trans, Filipinx person, especially because I know there are so many trans folks who cannot be out. The massive wave of anti-trans legislation that is sweeping the US is effectively outlawing our very existence.
And the thing is, this political circus is completely unnecessary; trans & non-binary people are simply being used to sow division. But the consequences of using us this way are dire; it will only embolden those who wish to cause us harm. We are literally talking about human lives.
Every year, hundreds of trans/gender non-conforming people die due to anti-trans violence. In 2022, PinkNews reported at least 327 people lost their lives. Legitimizing transphobia through legislation will result in more violence, not less.
Conservatives are spreading dangerous lies in an attempt to sow fear and incite trans-panic. To be clear, NO trans children are undergoing surgery. The most ‘extreme’ treatment for youth is allowing access to puberty blockers which simply delays puberty, temporarily. If I had access to this as a trans youth it would have prevented my from under-going major surgery, twice. It makes no sense to criminalize gender-affirming healthcare that literally saves lives. I know it saves lives because it saved mine.
The thing is, trans people have existed since the beginning of time and we will continue to exist regardless of the number of laws that are passed. We will not be bullied back into the shadows. We are in every workplace, every school and every family. You’ve been peeing next to us your entire life with no negative consequence. Drag queens have been reading to children for years, no incidents there either. We are just like you, trying to live peaceful lives.
The truth is trans and non-binary people are the ones who are being hurt. We are the ones who spend our whole lives being forced into a gender binary that is not our own. We are the ones who are bullied & threatened with physical violence. We are the ones who are discriminated against. We are the ones who are being murdered just for living our truth. We don’t want to turn your kids trans. We want trans kids to live to be adults.