The Urgent Fight for Trans Rights in America

I can’t stop shivering. For the past nine weeks, my anxiety has steadily increased, and the past few days it’s been through the roof. On the first day of his term, policies were introduced that started to roll back the rights of gender diverse people in the US. Since then, there have been many more changes, and states are introducing and passing anti-trans legislation at an alarming rate. These decisions have threatened my family directly and could uproot our very way of life.

My transgender son turned 18 in January. We live in a deeply conservative rural area of the United States. Physically, we are fairly safe. It might surprise some of you, but our small town barely noticed when my son announced, at 14, that he was a boy.

Faith and Unconditional Love

I am a person of faith; I was raised a conservative Christian, and though I have strayed from the conservative part, I still follow teachings of love and pray regularly. In my prayers since my son came out, I consistently hear comfort in the notion of loving my son the way he is loved: unconditionally.

If you knew my son, if you had even met him briefly, here are some things you would know about him: He is sweet, caring, funny, and creative. He dotes on his four cats and cares diligently for over 50 houseplants. He has always been interested in learning new things, whether it’s home organizing, auto detailing, or political science. He is taking a class through the local community college, where he is adored by his classmates, who are mostly middle-aged women.

We discuss world events, the small conflicts with friends, and local drama. His insights expand my mind and help me grow in understanding, and he is growing right alongside me. He’s been working with a wonderful therapist for more than 3 years, and he applies the things she teaches him in his life. He can get grumpy with me, but he always apologizes, showing his gentle nature.

Easing His Burdens

I belong to the tail end of Gen X, born in 1978, and grew up in a conservative environment. Knowing few openly LGBTQ+ people growing up, my understanding evolved as I met more diverse individuals later in life. But when my son announced, at the dinner table on an average summer day, that he was a boy, it was a moment of learning and understanding for me.

We accepted our son’s identity but needed to catch up with his thinking. The process of adapting to new pronouns took time and effort. At first, I confided in a few close friends and sought wisdom from those who had traveled this path before. Gradually, I became comfortable with using he/him pronouns and supporting my son in his transition, which included changing his birth name—a change that ultimately eased his discomfort.

Challenges in the Current Climate

During my son’s transition, he has received supportive and affirming medical care. The caregivers who have walked with us through this process have been kind and compassionate, helping us understand the decisions and steps involved.

Now, in 2025, I find myself awake in the early hours, unable to sleep due to the ongoing attacks on trans rights in the U.S. Every day, I learn of new measures that threaten the safety and rights of transgender individuals. These policies have eroded the rights of transgender Americans, and the federal moves have emboldened state governments to take previous anti-trans legislation further.

These laws do nothing to protect cisgender adults and children. They actively cause or passively allow harm to transgender people as they go about their daily lives. Both transgender and cisgender people are affected by these discriminatory policies and the hostile climate they foster.

It is crucial to recognize the injustice of these actions and to stand up for trans citizens before it goes any further. Transgender people in the US are experiencing serious harm, and we must act to protect their rights and dignity.