Readers of this site likely already know about the wave of anti-transgender sentiment and legislation that has swept through many US. states in the past few years, particularly in the South. This volume from the Campaign for Southern Equality team is a vital and informative look at the real youth and families impacted by these laws.
“Ultimately, this book is a collection of stories about love,” the authors write. In its pages, we see the love of parents for their children, of medical professionals for their patients, of communities in creating safe spaces for their most vulnerable members. The book explores the impact of bans on gender-affirming care, of bathroom bills that restrict trans people from using facilities aligned with their genders, and of “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” censorship bills, through the words and stories of many diverse families across the South and elsewhere. Some parents travel hours to other states to continue the medical care that has been prescribed for their children; some have uprooted themselves to move to other states, while others remain, bound by jobs or simply by a child’s connection to friends and the everyday joys of their communities, despite the imposition of oppressive state-level laws.
We also see the many ways that youth and adult advocates are responding to these bans, putting in extra hours to serve clients who traveled far, speaking with neighbors, the media, and legislators, and creating programs and organizations (both secular and faith-based) to inform and support, even in southern states where anti-trans sentiment is highest. These are stories of commitment and necessity, of individual actions and community bonds, of challenges and triumphs both large and small.
A final section focuses on ways for trans youth to protect themselves and for other readers to support them, both on an individual basis and by fighting for justice in the wider world. Importantly, it also advises, “Trans kids are still kids. Their transness isn’t their only defining trait.” That’s a nuance that some books on trans youth overlook.
The book covers a lot, but does so with an engaging narrative that blends stories, facts, and explanations to create a compelling read that will be eye-opening for some, while providing context and synthesis even for those already familiar with trans-related topics. It is a highly recommended book that should become a go-to volume for anyone interested in supporting trans youth, whether in the South or elsewhere.
