Ohio parents of trans youth were immediately outraged at President Donald Trump’s conflation of supporting their children with the horrific epidemic of child abuse that plagues the United States.
In recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Trump issued a proclamation on Thursday establishing “one of the most prevalent forms of child abuse facing our country today”: support of transgender youth.
“The evil and backwards lies of gender insanity are robbing our children of their happiness, health and freedom, while imposing unimaginable heartbreak on parents and families,” Trump said.
As the father of a trans youth in Ohio, Mikael McLaren rejected the “dangerous and dehumanizing” claim that affirming his child’s identity is abuse.
“What truly harms children is not their gender identity – it’s the cruelty of being denied love, support and medical care by those who should protect them,” Mclaren said. “My child is not broken or confused; they are brave, beautiful, and thriving because they are seen and supported for who they are.”
McLaren said efforts like Trump’s to vilify trans youth and the families and professionals who care for them are not about protecting children.
“It’s about fear, control and politics at the expense of real lives,” McLaren said. “If we truly want to prevent child abuse, we must start by listening to the children themselves, trusting families and affirming every young person’s right to live in dignity and truth. My child is not a threat. My child is a gift.”
Minna Zelch said actions like Trump’s proclamation and the dangerous climate perpetrated by Ohio’s anti-trans Republican lawmakers caused her daughter to have to leave Ohio altogether.
“After years of struggling, our college-age trans daughter is thriving thanks to gender-affirming medical care, a supportive environment and leaving the unwelcoming state of Ohio,” Zelch said. “This was almost unthinkable when she first came out over seven years ago. Had her father and I chosen not to support her – that would have been child abuse.”
Julie Stout noted the irony of Trump’s proclamation.
“Considering the fact that Donald Trump has been accused of sexual assault by over 26 different women, I cannot fathom what kind of person would look to him for advice on parenting,” Stout said.
Diana, an Ohio parent of a trans youth who needs to remain anonymous to protect the safety of her child, flatly rejects Trump’s proclamation.
“Loving parents who support their trans children are not abusive,” Diana said. “But you know who are? Politicians with a creepy hyper-focus on trans children.”
Dana Oleskiewicz – a PhD student in cultural foundations in the College of Education, Health and Human Services at Kent State University who is researching the diaspora of families leaving the United States because of political persecution – explained that Trump’s proclamation runs counter to existing data.
“Research shows that affirming youth in their gender is a protective measure,” Oleskiewicz said. “Anxiety and suicidality are decreased when trans kids are treated with affirmation and inclusion, which leads to a sense of belonging in education, medicine, social work and in families.”
In his proclamation, Trump made no mention of Robert Morris, his former spiritual adviser, who was indicted last month on multiple counts of sex crimes against children. 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- If you are a young LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are an transgender adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
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