You will be hard pressed to find a politician talking about protection and equality for transgender people. Transgender students are subjected to arbitrary, inconsistent policies. Student-athletes are under attack by an ill-informed body of legislative bullies. Insurance companies and healthcare providers continue to inhibit access to basic, medically necessary healthcare.
Each school determines what rights transgender people have and how they must act. Legislation designed to give transgender students consistent policies and treatment failed because of a vocal, ill-informed, conservative minority. Now, each school makes its own policies – if they have policies at all. Mostly, these policies are designed to segregate gender nonconforming students. According to biologist Cade Hildreth, the XX and XY chromosomes have at least 15 different variations. Even a newborn with “binary” sex chromosomes can present with intersex characteristics. There are 10 biological markers of sex. Should we only allow those with perfectly conforming biological markers to compete?
Equality works both ways. Athletics boost self-esteem, reduce stress, increase physical health, provide problem-solving skills and increase academic ability. As an athlete, I know you are only as good as your competition. Trans women are not dominating sports. Instead of rewarding these athletes and encouraging their participation, it is more likely others will tear them down. The argument that men are biologically superior is self-serving. Shouldn’t we also have weight classes in football and height restrictions in basketball? Where is the fairness for those that are height challenged? This sends a message to girls that they are somehow inferior to men. Instead of encouraging competition and a sense of teamwork, our policies discourage transgender, nonconforming participation. They cannot participate without conforming to the barbaric, antiquated policies of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Transgender people often have to go out of state to find medically necessary procedures and healthcare. The state requires letters for basic gender-affirming, medically necessary care, but very few doctors or therapists can do it. Insurance companies continue to use illegal exclusionary lists, blocking our access to life-saving, life-preserving and medically necessary healthcare. Healthcare providers also continue to use these exclusionary lists to deny procedures.
I prefer our representatives not be afraid to talk about these issues. I prefer our representatives not sponsor cruel anti-trans bills. I prefer our politicians not hide behind the skirts of children in the name of fairness. I prefer politicians act to protect these children and develop their true sense of self instead of helping to increase the attempted suicide rate. Children must feel safe, which isn’t possible when the representatives elected to protect them want to do harm to them.
I support Jack Bucchioni’s candidacy. He has the strength of character to speak about what is right. I have watched and helped him educate himself on transgender issues. He did a podcast to promote the founding of Delmarva Transparent USA. He broadcast this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance held by TransLiance at CAMP Rehoboth. Jack is the right candidate for the transgender and the LGBTQIA++ community. We face huge, unprecedented issues. Instead of dealing with these issues, state lawmakers this year have proposed 238 bills to limit the rights of LGBTQ Americans, with about half targeting transgender people. Jack can stand on his platform and not resort to attacking children in the name of fairness and equality.
To trans kids reading this, you are loved and you are worthy. Don’t let others who do not know the truth stop you from living your truth.
Jack knows the truth. Elect him to fight for yours.
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