As the November presidential election approaches, the stakes for trans youth and their families have never been higher. A potential second term for Donald Trump poses a significant threat to vulnerable young people already facing increasing hostility from state and local leaders. Trump’s 2024 campaign promises include a nationwide ban on gender-affirming care for minors and the withdrawal of Medicaid and Medicare funding for hospitals offering treatments like puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy.
Trump’s campaign also includes plans to pass federal legislation that would recognize only male and female genders assigned at birth, effectively erasing the existence of transgender individuals. The urgency of these issues prompted author and advocate [Author’s Name], who spent nearly a year traveling across the U.S. interviewing trans youth and their families, to document their experiences in a new book, American Teenager.
Among the voices highlighted is Wyatt, a 15-year-old from South Dakota who lobbied against a gender-affirming care ban in his state. Despite his advocacy efforts, legislation was passed in February 2023 that further marginalized him and others like him. Disillusioned by his home state’s rejection of his identity, Wyatt began considering ballet school in a more supportive environment.
Jack, 19, experienced her own struggles as Florida’s Medicaid coverage for trans youth health care was eliminated, temporarily cutting her off from hormone medication. “I watched helplessly for five months as the girl I had come to know withered away,” she said, underscoring the emotional toll these policies exact on young people.
With anti-trans legislation proliferating in at least 26 states, many trans individuals have contemplated relocation to states with more protective laws. A June 2023 survey from Data for Progress found that 40% of trans respondents considered moving due to anti-trans measures, with 8% already making the move. Some have even sought refuge in countries like Canada and New Zealand, fearing for their safety under a potential Trump presidency.
Trump’s platform also hints at a broader agenda to restrict LGBTQ+ rights, including legislation similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which would inhibit discussions of LGBTQ+ topics in schools and jeopardize federal funding for non-compliance. His administration would likely revive efforts to limit trans youth participation in sports and enforce policies that require schools to disclose students’ identities to their parents.
As Trump gains momentum, families of trans youth are acutely aware of the potential dangers ahead. They face a crucial decision in the upcoming election: to vote for an America that fosters acceptance and safety for trans youth or one that continues to marginalize and alienate them.
Ultimately, the upcoming presidential election will determine not only the future of trans rights in America but also the fundamental question of whether all children, regardless of gender identity, can simply be themselves without fear.
