Klaus Solko, staff writer

In the executive order titled, “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” it states: “Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures,” and, “The term ‘child’ or ‘children’ means an individual or individuals under 19 years of age.”

Now, isn’t that strange. At 18 years old a “child” can gamble, get a tattoo, get married, vote and join the military — if they are assigned male at birth, they also have to register for the draft. A lot of those things are quite permanent and they happen at 18 because that’s when the US government recognizes its citizens as adults. On top of that, parents can allow their children to drop out, and (in some states) get a tattoo or let their kid get married at 16.

As a trans person, a sentiment I’ve heard from many people is that they just don’t think that children should be making those decisions. They say children have not experienced the world, they have no way of knowing who they are yet, changing their body is a permanent decision. Not only does this belief take so much personhood away from minors, it also ignores what being a trans minor is for most people. The rate of trangender minors undergoing gender affirming surgery? Only .0021% according to Harvard, T.H. Chan. 

Also, when people say things like that, they are talking about strangers. People whose life they have no context for and emotions they have never experienced. It is not their business to comment on. If your support comes with conditions, maybe you should re-examine that support instead of trying to justify it. Not understanding can be hard and scary, but pushing against that fear is important instead of doubling down in the area one already feels comfortable with. 

Besides the lack of growth that happens when not searching to understand, there is another very dangerous side effect: ignorant people in power will use that power. If one says “I don’t think minors should medically transition,” transphobes in power will respond with, “I agree we should make that a law.”

So, that becomes an executive order and only trans individuals and allies are fighting against it. This doesn’t seem that bad to everyone, until the goal post moves again. They’ll come for all queer people, BIPOC, then women and the line will continue, but will  only end at the white men on top. How about we change it to 21 when it’s legal to drink? Or 25 around when your frontal lobe is developed? Oh, but that’s only finished when one is 30, what about that age? It’s all a goal post that “allies” who want to be comfortable can be convinced into being okay with while ignoring the trans people trying to fight for the right to exist in the same way everyone else gets to. 

Personally I no longer care about what cis “allies” have to say. Anyone who does not support all trans people’s rights can shut their mouths, think about why they believe they have a right to an opinion about something they know nothing about and consider that they are helping the wrong side.