Have you ever wondered why simply being yourself can be seen as an act of bravery? For many transgender individuals, living authentically isn’t just a personal journey—it’s often a battle against societal rejection. Consider this: over 40% of transgender adults in the U.S. report attempting suicide at some point in their lives due to discrimination and lack of acceptance. Why is it so difficult for us, as a society, to allow everyone the basic dignity of living as their true selves?
In today’s world, conversations about identity are more visible than ever, yet transgender individuals continue to face immense barriers in expressing who they truly are. Transgender identity challenges our traditional ideas about gender, but these individuals are simply asking for what we all seek: the space to be ourselves without fear of judgment or harm. Isn’t it time that we, as a collective, learned to embrace these varied expressions of humanity?
Despite growing awareness and increasing visibility, societal misconceptions about transgender people remain deeply ingrained. The outdated belief that gender is rigidly tied to biology continues to dominate, dismissing the lived experiences of transgender individuals as invalid, “unnatural,” or fabricated. Such misunderstandings are not harmless—they perpetuate cycles of stigma, discrimination, and exclusion, impacting nearly every aspect of daily life for transgender individuals.
These misconceptions fuel systemic barriers that transgender people must navigate every day. From being denied basic healthcare, to which every individual is entitled, to facing barriers in accessing education, housing, and stable employment, the consequences of these biases are profound and far-reaching. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality, nearly 30% of transgender individuals reported being denied healthcare or receiving subpar treatment solely due to their gender identity. Similarly, the unemployment rate among transgender people is three times higher than the national average, and almost one in five transgender individuals have experienced homelessness.
The challenge goes beyond a lack of access—it’s about a denial of humanity. Transgender individuals are often forced to defend their identity and existence in a world that frequently refuses to see or respect them. This constant fight for recognition and dignity creates significant mental health challenges, with studies showing that 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide at some point in their lives, compared to just under 5% of the overall population.
Addressing these issues is not just about policy or education—it’s about acknowledging the humanity of transgender individuals and the basic rights they deserve. Without a conscious effort to break these cycles of misunderstanding and prejudice, transgender people will continue to face significant and unnecessary obstacles, perpetuating harm and inequality within our society.
I want to talk about something deeply personal. It’s a story that reflects just how complicated, painful, and beautiful life can be—a story about my daughter.
Imagine knowing from a young age that something just feels… off. You know who you are inside, but you’re growing up in a world that doesn’t seem ready or willing to see you for who you truly are. That’s what my daughter faced.
When she was two years old, she already had this spark—this inner truth that none of us could fully understand yet. While her older brother played with superhero costumes and dreamed of wrestling matches on TV, she gravitated toward dolls, her sister’s clothes, and even my shoes. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy the typical things boys her age did, but football and soccer? No. Gymnastics? That lit her up.
And still, we didn’t understand. We couldn’t see the full picture—not yet.
When she was five, I remember her standing by a wishing well at the park. She was young, innocent, and completely sincere when, with all the earnestness in the world, she said, “I wish I were a girl.”
Looking back now, that moment speaks volumes, doesn’t it? It could have been a turning point—a call to action for my husband and me to dig deeper, ask questions, and truly listen. But, like many parents, we were scared. Society didn’t make that kind of wish easy to hear—or easy to honor.
For years, she carried that truth on her own, silently. She tried to fit in with her peers, tried to live a life that felt more “normal” to everyone else, but never fully felt like herself. And then, at 16, she sat us down. She told us she was gay. I remember her crying—her whole body shaking as she managed to get those words out—and my husband and I told her everything you hope a child hears in that moment: We love you, no matter what. You are ours, and nothing will ever change that.
But her truth didn’t end there. Two years later, she opened up to us again. This time, she told us that she wasn’t just gay. She told us that she was transgender—she wasn’t just our son trying to fit into a world of conformity. She was our daughter, a young woman trying to find her way to herself.
I’ll be honest. That hit in a way I wasn’t prepared for. My husband and I struggled—I looked for therapy, leaned into support groups, and grieved what we thought we’d lost. It’s not easy. Parenting a transgender child is a journey, and, in some ways, it requires mourning what was perceived to be and embracing what is.
But what weighed heavier than our personal fears was the world. The barriers. The hurtful stigmas staring her down every day. Suddenly, her world seemed… harder.
I think back to her high school years. It’s not just rejection from peers that she faced. It was systemic rejection. Take the bathrooms. To use the gender-affirming bathroom, she had to go to the front office, get a key, and endure the judgment of the hallway as someone escorted her back to class. Think about that for a second. What message does that send to a child? That their identity needs approval… permission? Are they something to be monitored and controlled?
When she sought healthcare, specifically a procedure to feminize her features, a surgeon refused her care outright. Why? Because she was transgender.
And that’s the kind of stark reminder every parent of a transgender child encounters. There’s this underlying question: What are people afraid of? Why does my daughter’s existence provoke hatred or fear?
But I’m not here to share just the pain of her story, because her journey has always been bigger than the obstacles.
When she graduated from high school, she found her community—a place in college where people truly saw her. A place where she could walk through the campus without fear, where others understood the battles she had been fighting, and where she felt free to just be. Surrounded by people who accepted her for who she is, her confidence grew, her world widened, and, for the first time, joy wasn’t something far off. It was hers.
I’ve seen firsthand what acceptance can do. It doesn’t just save lives—it transforms them. My daughter didn’t just survive rejection; she overcame it. She found her dignity, her future, her pride.
For me, as her parent, what this has taught me is simple—our children don’t need to be fixed. They don’t need to be changed. They need love. They need unwavering support. Because when they know they’re loved, when they know someone sees them for everything they are, anything is possible for them.
This is the message I hope we can carry forward. Let’s not just reflect on the pain rejection causes—let’s actively work to create a world where unconditional love, support, and inclusion become the norm.
Because my daughter—and every transgender child out there—deserves nothing less.
One of the most fundamental facts that society needs to embrace is that children don’t choose the sexuality, gender, or identity they want to embody—this is not about preference or selection. It’s something intrinsic, something they are born with. Yet, time and time again, we see individuals in society stigmatizing, criticizing, and even outright hating those who are LGBTQ+, particularly people who are transgender. This kind of behavior is not just harmful—it’s rooted in fear, ignorance, and an unwillingness to accept reality.
Take a moment to reflect: if you call yourself a Christian or a religious individual, how can hatred for someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity coexist with the core tenet of your faith, which is love? If your faith teaches compassion, acceptance, and love for all of God’s creation, why would you single out those who identify as LGBTQ+ or transgender for cruelty, exclusion, or judgment?
Let’s consider a simple yet profound biblical message found in John 13:34:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
Where in this scripture does it say to love some, but not others? Or to love only those who conform to your understanding of identity? It doesn’t. Being cruel or saying hateful things to people because of their identity runs counter to what this scripture calls for.
Transgender People Have Always Existed
It’s important to note that transgender individuals have existed not just for decades, but for centuries. Historical evidence shows that gender-diverse individuals were present in societies across the globe, from Native American Two-Spirit traditions to gender-nonconforming identities in ancient cultures like the Hijras in South Asia. A study published in Nature Communications argues that diverse gender identities predate modern Western constructs, proving that they are no “fad” or temporary movement.
Statistically, about 1.6 million adults (ages 18+) in the United States identify as transgender, according to data released by the Williams Institute at UCLA in 2022. Moreover, about 300,000 youth ages 13-17 identify as transgender, showing that these numbers aren’t random—they reflect real identities lived by many. Additionally, these individuals face staggering discrimination, with nearly 50% of transgender people reporting harassment or mental distress due to societal prejudice, according to national surveys conducted by the Human Rights Campaign.
Fear Is the Root of Stigma
Most of the stigmatism and resistance to transgender identities—and, broadly, LGBTQ+ communities—stems directly from fear. Fear of change, fear of misunderstanding, or fear of losing control over societal norms. But here’s the truth: being transgender is not a disease, an illness, or something contagious. It’s not a “threat” to society—it’s simply a reality of human diversity. It is part of the spectrum of identities that has been here for centuries and will persist long after our time.
If you find yourself struggling to accept others because of fear, then perhaps the true question is: what is it you fear? If you claim to act out of religious faith, wouldn’t you believe that acceptance is a more truthful and godly response than rejection? Maybe, just maybe, loving thy neighbor as thyself applies even here.
Let’s work together to stop stigmatizing transgender people and instead lean into empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Because in the end, love, not fear, is what truly builds stronger communities.
It’s clear that society has a long way to go in creating a world where transgender individuals feel safe, valued, and understood. The journey to acceptance begins with breaking down harmful stereotypes and embracing the complexities of our shared humanity. Every person deserves the right to live life authentically and without fear. Isn’t that the foundation of freedom?