About a month ago, I had a Facebook post go viral. I’d written about my 26-year-old transgender son, Jeremy, and how I miss him. He won’t move back to Texas because here, the laws do not protect him. Not only can he be fired from a job for being transgender, he can be thrown out of his own home. The Department of Justice is trying to fix that, to interpret transgender people as a protected class, but the Texas politicians are fighting that. Please don’t let them get away with this bullying.
When I posted my comments, I hoped to broaden my community’s awareness of trans issues. With that increased awareness, I hoped for greater acceptance. And I accomplished that. The outpouring of support and yes, love, was tremendous. But something else happened as well. Not only did I broaden my community’s awareness, I also broadened my community itself, hearing from several transgender teenagers who thanked me for speaking out on their behalf.
One of those teenagers is named Quinn. He’s given me permission to share what he wrote. It’s beautiful, poetic, and it might make you cry.
My name is Quinn.
I’m 15 and am a transguy, just like your son.
Unfortunately, my father and stepmother think much like Texas legislature.
They cannot accept me for who I am, saying that “Transgender people come from an evil society and should be put in mental institutions.”
But I can assure everyone that there is nothing mentally wrong with me. Yes, I suffer from anxiety, but I do not intend to hurt someone with fear.
What is wrong with me?
Do I look like I would hurt anyone?
I couldn’t hurt anyone if I tried.
In fact, in the restroom, I’m more worried about ME getting raped.
Everyone hurts me for just trying to do what society says, “Just be yourself”.
What they don’t mention are the parameters in which you must remain to be accepted.
I am only seen as being “one of those trans kids”, “that he-she”, and my favorite, “a tranny”.
They can’t see who I am as a person.
I have strengths.
I care about people.
I can draw.
I can tell you every president of this country that hates me in order.
I’m a good public speaker, and I’m not afraid to do it.
I’m loyal to the core.
But all they see is WHAT I am, not WHO I am.
So do tell me.
What’s wrong with me?
Jo, what a gift that your son, and the community of transgender teenagers you are building, has such an eloquent writer in you. Through your gift, you expand the minds and hearts of people who do not have a close family member or friend who is transgender.
Thank you for articulately explaining the situation our transgender children face. If every grandstanding politician would sit down and just LISTEN to parents talking about their children, the country would be so much better off. You are doing God’s work.
Hi Katie – Thanks for your comments. I couldn’t agree with you more. Our politicians try to score points with the electorate by appearing to be religious and pretending to protect them, when they are instead being hateful and discriminating against people who already have a lot to deal with. I think it’s especially important for parents to speak out in support of their trans children because people can relate to a parent’s love, even when they don’t know anything about what it means to be transgender.
On another note, I’m excited that my new book, “Once a Girl, Always a Boy” is getting closer to publication. It’s now in the hands of my publisher and will be released in April 2020. It’ll be available for pre-order sometime in the fall. It’s my son’s story, based largely on his video journal and on interviews. What a joy to work so closely with my son – now 29 years old – on a project that we hope will help other families!
Jo,
I have lost contact with your family and now I found you. I am your mother’s friend who used to visit you in Texas. I see you gave an address in Texas so I will write. I’m also ordering my book at this time.
Peace, Joyce