A short message to New Jersey’s transgender community
Chances are you've heard by now that Donald Trump revoked Barack Obama's guidelines on transgender bathroom policies in public schools across America.
The decision to allow transgender students in public schools to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity will now be left up to the state you live in, so in your case, that's likely New Jersey.
People who are opposed to letting you use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender you identify with do not understand the danger you put yourself in by walking through that door. They are not aware of violence and verbal abuse many in the trans community face every day. They haven't taken a step back to realize that public restrooms have stalls... you know, those things meant for privacy. But there's much more to this than just hypotheticals inside a restroom.
Make no mistake, this is about much more than bathrooms. In fact,
Laverne Cox worded it best in a recent interview when she said,
“These bills are not about bathrooms. They’re about whether transgender people have the right to exist in public space,” Cox said. “If we can’t access public bathrooms, we can’t go to school, we can’t work, we can’t go to health-care facilities.”
This is no longer about politics. This is about human rights. But understand this: More people support your human rights than oppose it. Countless people are ready to fight alongside you and on your behalf to make sure that you do not have to feel scared or hopeless every single day. This will not be forever. We as Americans simply will not allow it. You matter. You belong. Never forget that.
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