Through my ministry I have come to know a young transgender girl who has become quite dear to me. The thought that anyone would harm her, not accept her, bully her, or otherwise keep her from being who she is, both saddens and frightens me on her behalf. And yet these negative experiences are so pervasive for transgender people that their attempted suicide rate is 50 percent for those who disclose their transgender identity.
To put this in perspective, the attempted suicide rate among the population at large is 4.6 percent. There are other dangers. In the last week of February four transgendered women were murdered.
These statistics are unconscionable.
My religion affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another. It is for these reasons that we celebrate, embrace and support LGBTQ persons. We believe people need to be free to be their most authentic selves.
The newest research has documented that there are subtle differences in the brains of men and women, and that the brains of transgender persons are of the opposite gender to their sex at birth.
It should be clear that transgender persons are among society's most vulnerable people through no fault of their own. The issues surrounding them are not about bathrooms and locker rooms but about the recognition of the individual needs of the humanness of transgender persons.
I call for a presidential reinstatement of the executive order allowing transgender persons the bathroom use that corresponds with their gender, protection against bullying and abuse, especially in our schools.
And for schools and all institutions and businesses open to the public to offer this protection in the absence of such an order.
I call for this not just in the name of all transgendered people but in the name of humanity.
Rev. Paula A. Maiorano
interim minister
Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware Home of Parents for Humanity
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