For those who are unaware, Republicans are trying to legislate transgender kids out of existence. In a number of states they are trying to prevent kids from being able to get the hormones and blockers that they need to begin their transition. In some cases, they are even going to the extreme measure of making it a crime so they can lock up the doctors that support these kids. They are trying to legislate to prevent them from having corrective surgery. This is heinous and inhumane!

A study from September of 2018 showed harrowing statistics from a study recently published by the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed alarming levels of attempted suicide among transgender youth — with the highest rates among transgender boys and non-binary youth. The findings emphasize the urgency of building welcoming and safe communities for LGBTQ young people, particularly for transgender youth.

More than half of transgender male teens who participated in the survey reported attempting suicide in their lifetime, while 29.9 percent of transgender female teens said they attempted suicide. Among non-binary youth, 41.8 percent of respondents stated that they had attempted suicide at some point in their lives.

Many transgender young people experience family rejection, bullying and harassment, or feel unsafe for simply being who they are – all of which can be added risk factors for suicide. Earlier this year, HRC released its 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report, which detailed similarly alarming experiences — but also significant perseverance among LGBTQ young people in the face of daunting challenges.

I have been involved with First Event’s Fashion Show for a number of years. I have to say that when I see the kids going down the runway,  they are beeming! That is the way they should be all the time. We should give love and support to the transgender youth.

Unfortunately, for many, once they reveal themselves to the world they open themselves up to ostracism by their own families. Many are even kicked out of their homes and forced to live on the street.  They risk being bullied. Some turn to drugs, others may go to the sex trade in order to try to raise funds to get their hormones. These are kids!!

The sad part is that many who hate use religion as a cudgel. They pull up passages from the Bible to justify their hate and derision. They forget that Jesus gave them one commandment, Love! Not love if, or love but, just love. How is beating up a kid for being who they are showing love?

I started my journey in a time before wide spread Internet and the wealth of information available. The only place I knew about that I could go and talk with similar people was a place called #GenHaven on the old IRQ channels. Now there has to be hundreds of Facebook pages just for Transgender, let alone the entire LGBTQ spectrum. And it is a spectrum.

If you have followed my series from the start, one of the first I did, was called, Not A Life Choice. In it, I brought out the studies that were done up to that point, the medical information, and so much more. That was back in August of 2016. Here we are in 2020 and you would think with all the additional research that has been done, and there is a plethora of new studies and continuing research, that we would have gotten to the point of acceptance. Unfortunately, many choose to hold fast to hate and ignorance. The saddest part is the children are the ones who suffer. How heinous and hateful do you have to be to try to legislate someone out of existence! We live in a very ugly world. It is full of hate and ignorance. I am and will continue to try to shine a light to pull people out of their ignorance and towards acceptance. Science tells us that LGBTQ people exist and always have. Those of us that have been brave enough to step out into the light are paving the way to new research, new breakthroughs, and new discoveries.  As more come forward, just by sheer numbers, we will not be ignored.

I embrace the spirit of the wolf, I am Unega Waya, I am a pathfinder and teacher.

My heart to your heart, one heart, one spirit.
Emma