Why We’re Called To Protect, Support and Affirm Trans Lives

Elections always bring out the crazies, but this U.S. election cycle has been especially intense and filled with awful crazy stuff, including harmful and dangerous rhetoric. As I’m sure you’ve seen by now, especially if you live in one of the handful of battleground states, one of the candidates has taken aim at who else but the transgender community.

As USA Today columnist Sara Pequeño wrote recently:

The Republican presidential nominee’s campaign has spent at least $17 million on ads about Vice President Kamala Harris for a 2019 stance on providing trans-affirming health care to people in prison. The issue has not been part of her 2024 campaign, although she was questioned about it in a recent Fox News interview. These anti-trans ads have aired more than 30,000 times.

“Kamala is for they/them,” one ad reads. “Trump is for you.”

The Republicans are no strangers to using a marginalized group of people to stoke fear. We’ve seen how they talk about immigrants in dehumanizing ways. The trans panic talking points are just more hate.

They sure are. But here’s the truth.

Trans people have been part of God’s creation from the beginning

Transgender people deserve our protection, support and affirmation not only because it’s a matter of human rights and human decency, but also because they form an invaluable part of the human tapestry.

In addition, acknowledging and respecting one’s gender identity or expression isn’t just a moral or societal obligation — it’s a testament to our collective humanity and the diversity of God’s creation.

Like anyone else, trans people have the right to live authentically and be recognized for who they truly are. Denying them this right is an affront to basic human dignity and only perpetuates discrimination and stigma. Using the trans community as targets of political rhetoric subjects them to to even more of the horrible violence that is already a regular feature of trans life.

Not only that, but the LGBTQ+ community also has an obligation to forcefully dispel the myths and misconceptions about our sisters and brothers who stepped up for us in 1969.

Moreover, as LGBTQ+ people of faith, we deeply understand more than most the right and necessity of people to be able to self-identify and self-express. It’s because of our understanding that all of God’s creation is wonderfully and uniquely made in the image of God that we’re able to reject the false notion that transgender people are somehow mistakes of that creation.

It’s crucial that we dispel the damaging myths that perpetuate bias against trans people. The “mistake” idea defies logic and flies in the face of basic empathy just as much as defending some mythical notion of a gender binary does. And the idea that a more modern understanding of gender would somehow turn the sporting world upside down and annihilate fairness in athletic competition is just plain weird.

We must remember that gender diversity has existed across cultures and history. From Native Two-Spirit traditions to the hijras of South Asia, transgender people have been celebrated and revered for centuries. To frame them as errors or anomalies is to deny centuries of cultural heritage and understanding. It denies them a proper place in history.

Trans people deserve to live lives free of discrimination, stigma and hate

In this modern age, why is it anything less than a no-brainer for us to start from a point of respect for each individual’s basic human rights and dignity? Yet according to numerous studies and reports, trans people face staggering levels of discrimination, violence, and social exclusion.

Their unemployment rates are higher. Healthcare needs often go unmet due to ignorance and prejudice.

Take the story of Robert Eads, a trans man from Toccoa, Ga., who arrived at the emergency room with severe abdominal pain and bleeding and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1996, then went on to be denied treatment by anywhere from 12-24 doctors before he was finally accepted for treatment a year later at the Medical College of Georgia hospital.

But by then it was too late. In spite of an aggressive treatment plan of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, the cancer had been able to metastasize, and Eads died in 1999.

They’re also disproportionately affected by hate crimes, with a British survey showing that about 80 percent of respondents saying they’d suffered transphobic hate crimes. Separate U.S. research indicated that more than three in five trans youth reported they were attacked. Far too often, the already unspeakable violence goes too far and becomes murder.

So it’s incumbent upon policymakers and society at large to create laws that protect trans people from discrimination and violence and ensure equal opportunities in employment, healthcare and education — rather than making political hay out of their very existence.

Policymakers must take bold steps to introduce and enforce anti-discrimination laws, create funding for transgender healthcare, and promote educational programs that teach the importance of gender diversity and inclusion.

These steps aren’t just progressive — they’re necessary foundations for a just and moral society.

And allyship is paramount. Allies can amplify transgender voices and advocate for their rights, fostering environments of inclusion and acceptance.

Finally, supporting trans people enriches society as a whole. Their unique perspectives and experiences add depth to the human experience, making our world more vibrant and diverse. When we uplift transgender individuals, we encourage a culture of empathy, understanding and acceptance that brings benefits to everyone.

Trans people aren’t just trans

In discussing the struggles faced by the trans community, it’s essential to recognize the role of intersectionality. Trans people belong to other marginalized groups defined by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or economic status.

These intersecting identities can compound discrimination and hardship, creating unique challenges that must be addressed with nuance and sensitivity.

Trans people of color experience heightened levels of prejudice and violence, requiring additional support and representation. Some of the most vicious hate and types of violence are aimed at these folks.

Acknowledging intersectionality allows us to address overlapping issues more effectively, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of equality.

Fighting for transgender rights is intrinsically linked to fighting against all forms of systemic inequality.

As we continue to advocate for and support the trans community, we must also remember to uplift and amplify all marginalized voices in our fight for a just and inclusive society. By doing so, we can truly create a world that is safe, affirming and equitable for all. To settle for less is to make a mockery of God’s creation.

How to get started

For those who want to learn more about how to support the trans community, there are many resources available. Organizations such as GLAAD, Trans Lifeline and The Trevor Project provide valuable information and assistance for allies looking to educate themselves on transgender issues. Additionally, supporting local LGBTQ+ organizations or volunteering at events can have a positive impact in creating space for trans people in our communities.

Most importantly, simply listening to and amplifying the voices of trans people can go a long way in creating a more understanding and inclusive world. We must all do our part in standing with and supporting the trans community.

The fight for equality is far from over. By recognizing the need to protect, support and affirm trans people, we take steps toward creating a more just and equitable society for all.

Quite simply, it starts with acknowledging their humanity and respecting their identities.

It continues with educating ourselves about how to be better allies and advocating for policies that promote equality.

It thrives when we celebrate diversity and embrace empathy as guiding principles in our interactions with others.

Together we can build a future where everyone feels safe, valued and empowered to live as their true selves.

The challenge — and opportunity — ahead

This difficult work is truly a matter of choosing life over death. It’s a journey that requires dedication and commitment from all sectors of society: Individuals, communities and governmental bodies.

It involves challenging ingrained societal norms and working toward dismantling oppressive systems that hinder progress.

It means getting rid of the practice of Christian nationalism.

By fostering environments of open dialogue and collaboration, we can encourage the understanding and acceptance that is needed to move forward.

Let us remain vigilant and motivated in our pursuit of a world where inclusivity and fairness are the standards, not just aspirations. Indeed, let us “walk the talk”!

The clarion call to protect, support and affirm trans people is a call to recognize and celebrate the innate value of every human being.

It is a rallying cry for justice, equality, and love—a fierce reminder that trans people are far from being mistakes — they’re essential members of our diverse global family.

Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of gender identity, is free to live authentically and without fear. In doing so we honor not just trans people, but the best of what humanity has to offer. And that makes us all better.