In recent years, a troubling pattern has emerged in the discourse surrounding transgender rights: the rhetoric of ‘protecting children.’ Lawmakers, activists, and social media personalities have increasingly co-opted this language to push anti-trans legislation. While these advocates claim to shield youth from harm, their real motives are often less altruistic. In reality, they are weaponizing compassion as a smokescreen to marginalize trans people, particularly transgender youth athletes. This approach harms trans youth and fosters a culture of fear, misunderstanding, and hate.
The Dangerous Rhetoric of Protection
The idea of protecting children is, at face value, universally agreeable. Who wouldn’t want to safeguard youth from harm? However, when this concept is wielded to justify discrimination, it becomes a sinister tool. By positioning trans people, especially trans children, as threats, lawmakers and influencers exploit societal instincts to protect young people. They craft narratives that paint transgender inclusion as inherently dangerous, pushing the idea that allowing trans youth to participate in sports or access affirming care is tantamount to child abuse.
However, when examined closely, this argument crumbles. Most major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the World Health Organization, support affirming care for transgender youth. They recognize that support, not exclusion, is essential for healthy development. Nevertheless, anti-trans advocates persist, using the language of safety as a moral shield for inherently harmful policies.
A Personal Perspective: Competing as a Trans Athlete
As a transgender woman who competed in high school athletics, I can say firsthand that sports were a lifeline for me. Growing up, I participated on the boys’ teams because transitioning wasn’t an option for me back then. Social pressures, fear of rejection, and a lack of understanding about my identity kept me from living authentically during those years. But despite the challenges, being part of a team gave me a sense of belonging and purpose. I wasn’t looking for an unfair advantage or trying to prove a point; I just wanted to participate like every other teenager.
Looking back, I wonder how different my experience might have been if I could have competed as my true self. Seeing today’s trans youth targeted and vilified for wanting to play sports is heartbreaking. They’re not trying to destroy fairness or ruin traditions; they just want to compete, make friends, and feel like they belong. It’s especially painful when adults, who should be advocates and mentors, instead choose to weaponize these kids’ existence for political gain.
California: Playing Politics with Young Lives
In California, a recent girls’ track meet became a political flashpoint over the participation of a transgender athlete in high-jump, long-jump, and triple-jump events. Several private Christian schools criticized the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for allowing transgender athletes to compete in alignment with their gender identity. Despite the backlash, many students and allies defended the athlete, emphasizing that inclusion in sports is a fundamental right.
Maine: A Manufactured Crisis
In Maine, a high school track and field championship sparked similar controversy when a transgender athlete’s success became fodder for anti-trans narratives. Social media influencers and conservative media outlets amplified the issue, framing it as a threat to women’s sports rather than acknowledging the athlete’s hard work and dedication.
The UK: Moral Panic as Policy
Across the Atlantic, the UK has faced its struggles with trans inclusion in youth sports. Despite evidence that her participation posed no threat, a trans rugby player faced public scrutiny. Instead of celebrating diversity and inclusion, media figures used her story to fuel calls for banning trans athletes entirely.
Social Media and Profit: Turning Children into Scapegoats
It’s especially disheartening when so-called advocates claim to protect kids while doxxing trans youth and pushing their brands. Influencers like MaryCate Delvey and accounts like Libs of TikTok exploit these moments, peddling merchandise and boosting their profiles under the guise of saving women’s sports. Companies like XX-XY Athletics are capitalizing on the controversy, profiting from division rather than supporting kids.
Moving Forward: Supporting Trans Youth
We can’t let fear and misinformation shape policies that impact real lives. Moving forward, it’s crucial to:
- Educate yourself and others about the realities of trans inclusion.
- Support youth athletics programs that prioritize inclusivity and safety for all.
- Challenge misinformation by sharing accurate, compassionate stories about trans athletes.
- Advocate for policies rooted in science and human rights, rather than fear.
- Stand with trans youth by being a visible ally, whether at school board meetings, online, or in your community.
Amid all the rhetoric, it’s essential to remember one thing: trans kids are just kids. They want to play sports, make friends, and grow up without fearing for their safety. When adults leverage their identities for political gain, it sends a clear message: your right to exist is debatable. That message is profoundly harmful, contributing to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among trans youth.
The Bottom Line
It’s time to reject the false narrative that anti-trans laws protect children. These measures don’t safeguard youth; they endanger them by denying support, stigmatizing identities, and making them targets for harassment. True protection comes from inclusion, compassion, and respecting every child’s right to be themselves.
By challenging these harmful narratives, we affirm our commitment to supporting trans youth, fighting for their right to participate, and standing against those who would use their existence as a weapon in a culture war. Trans kids deserve to be safe, not scapegoated.
