'It is hurting us': Trans kids and parents in Missouri speak out, and brace for bans

[LostOne4Ever]

‘It is hurting us’: Trans kids and parents in Missouri speak out, and brace for bans
By Danny Wicentowski
Published March 23, 2023 at 5:47 PM CDT

As their health care is being debated in Missouri’s legislature, the lives of three young trans boys growing up in St. Louis County are, for now, largely unchanged.

Speaking to St. Louis on the Air’s Elaine Cha, they described attending school, playing in sports leagues and looking forward to summer camp — typical for a group of young friends between the ages of 9 and 11. With the consent of their parents, the three boys spoke to St. Louis Public Radio on the condition that they not be named.

“My coming out was very spontaneous,” said an 11-year-old trans boy. Accepted by his parents and friends after coming out, he has lived as a boy for more than five years, a substantial proportion of his young life.

“At some point, it was summer,” he continued, retelling his coming out story, “and I came back with a new haircut and a new set of clothes. I was just like a different person. And no one questioned that.”

It’s not always that simple. For a 9-year-old trans boy, his first day attending school under a new name took a turn when he realized that, due to an apparent miscommunication, his teachers and administrators had no idea of the change.

“I didn't think kids would believe me,” he said, recalling his worries from that day. “But I just told them my name and they were fine with it.”
[...]

More at Link:
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2023-03-23/it-is-hurting-us-trans-kids-and-parents-in-missouri-speak-out-and-brace-for-bans

[Haggard Celine]

1. As usual, it's certain adults who

have a problem, not the kids. This is so ridiculous, that people in legislatures are debating over how people identify and the scientific reasoning behind trans people’s medical decisions. Some of the most ignorant and venal people in the state are making these judgements. It’s really sickening! Biden is good at talking about GLBT issues, maybe he should say something more. I don’t know if it would do any good, though. Pretty much everyone already knows how they think and feel about this issue.

[slightlv]

2. You summed up the whole problem in your last sentence...

and not just to this problem, but to women's issues, minority rights, disability rights, etc., etc. etc.,... every forward step we took for over 50 years is being overturned.

"Pretty much everyone already knows how they think and feel about this issue."

We ALL know how we feel about these issues. The problem is, the "feelings" are diametrically opposed. None of it is based on science, and none of it is based on fact. ALL of it is based on fear, power, domination... "feelings."

This is why I get so despondent about a way out of this disaster. People can't check their feelings at the door. There might be some people who could be educated about some of the issues and see where they've been wrong. But I doubt it. And I seriously doubt there are even a few of us who are going to turn radically racist, misogynist, and fascist.

Even knowing that it's Russia's greatest wish... the one they've been moving the levers towards all these decades... I still wish the U.S. could separate into two countries... Red Neck Ville, and Progressive Ville... such that the two should never again have to have anything to do with one another, other than that which is set out by treaty.

The governments of the two "countries" would help all those trapped in whatever is to become Red State Heaven to move to a Blue State, and vice versa. Let's see which country actually grows and thrives. But in the end, it doesn't matter, as long as they stay to themselves with their backwards thought, and we leave them alone. I'll probably end up in my grave with these still be my words.

[Haggard Celine]

3. It wouldn't surprise me if we decided to split up.

The differences seem too many to work out with one another. But I don't want it. Living in a deep red state, it would be hell in this region if we lost the moderating influence of the federal government. I would want to go to a blue state, but how much would my property value here be affected by a split? If I lost the equity in my house, it would be impossible for me to go anywhere. The only thing I could do is save every extra dime that I have and make plans to leave. That might be what it comes to.

[slightlv]

4. I'm in the same situation. And we're living on our savings,

as well as SS and a small (very small) annuity. If we could swing it, we'd have been gone from here by now. The only thing I can say is we did move here to take care of family... and we moved *from* Texas... and it sounds like just in time.

Part of any treaty would be moving prospective citizens from one state to another fairly. That would probably mean that yes, you lose property value in the state you're in presently, but you'd be helped, if not given a place in a blue state. If such a one-on-one thing could be done that'd be great. But property in red states is so much lower value, generally speaking, than in blue states, I don't know about that. I do know I'd give up everything here but my cats and dog. Just walk out the door and shut it, if someone would help establish me in a blue state. I'd be so freakin' happy to get away from these gun nuts and bigots. The one across the alley threatening to shoot MY cat for being in it's own yard, while he neglects his and lets it run wherever it wants was the last straw for me. And yes, I did file a report to the police on him for all that's worth. Guns are God. Dear Goddess....

[Haggard Celine]

5. It's a worry of mine.

Things seem to be going that way. It seems like we're getting more and more divided. I want to compromise, but MAGA threw that out of the window a long time ago. I don't think we can avoid some sort of conflict. I just hope it's not serious or long-lasting. Maybe people will realize that they're not going to fare well under a Confederate government. I think if it happens, the CSA will end up about like Chile under Pinochet.