Of all the many right-wing “opinions” I’ve heard from Benjamin Sharpie (Ben Shapiro) head, this one got to me the most.
Parents and non-parents, fiercely sure that having children (teens, mostly) educated about the existence of trans people in school would… Pervert them? Confuse them?
The specific claim varies, but the base sentiment is the same- raw, rabid hatred of trans children. This sentiment should enrage you, too, but it hit me hard-
I came out at 11, in 7th grade (middle school).
I can tell you right now if there was trans education- being taught inclusive sex-ed and pronoun usage- I would have been saved an amount of suffering.
“There are only two genders!” Both parents and kids would scream, day and night. There was doubt of my existence, yet assured hatred towards me.
They’d misgender me on purpose, comment on my genitals- but we’re perverted?
“Believe” whatever you want about gender- what’s important is LEARNING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE IS NOT FORCING YOU TO BECOME THEM.
If your ideology is so weak, the mere presence of other people’s lived experiences can make it crumble… Perhaps trans children aren’t the problem.
