Justin, Age 16, Texas
JUSTIN: These laws make it impossible for us to express ourselves, and I don’t think it’s fair.
DAD: I’m very supportive, and I know Justin doesn’t watch the news like we do. These new laws are trying to make it so that if your child is under 18, they can’t transition, they can’t get on hormones, they can’t do any surgeries. They just can’t do anything. I am not a fan of people telling me how to raise my kids. If my son wants to express himself or wants to be on hormones that is our right, not some ignorant politician’s. Fat cats sitting in their mansions, living a life of luxury should not tell me how to parent.
It’s hard because you tell your child, ‘You can do whatever you want, you can be whoever you want, you can express yourself however you want’ but at the same time if you do those things, we might go to jail. If they pass these laws then parents will go to jail for letting their kids transition, and doctors are scared because they’ll go to jail too.
I’m afraid that we’ll be forced to go to Mexico to get our kid the right healthcare, where things might be more flexible. Unfortunately, we know how that could go. The surgeons or doctors might not be as good and when surgeries go bad, people die. I think these laws are going to lead to a lot more risks, and that’s very concerning as a parent.
MOM: I want Justin to be happy with the way he sees himself. If that means going through with hormones and surgeries down the line, I’m fine with that. Politicians shouldn’t punish us for supporting our child’s happiness - it’s our choice to make sure our child is happy, not theirs.
JUSTIN: Politicians should be more concerned with the environment right now. There’s more important things than trying to go fight trans rights. It’s just not fair at all. I hope I inspire people to be themselves. Sometimes it feels hard to be trans, or to express yourself. I just want to help other trans people, and let them know they’re wanted and needed.
MOM: Justin’s normally pretty shy, so it’s a big deal for him to speak up. I got a little emotional when he just said he wanted to help the next person in line because that’s exactly how I feel, too. I just want to help the next mom or the next kid, you know. I want them to feel accepted for who they are, just as they are.
DAD: I’m glad that Justin is speaking out because he is very quiet and conservative. We’re in an age where social media makes finding like-minded people a lot easier, especially if your family isn’t supportive. You can find allies and people who are going through the same thing as you. I’m just like Justin. I’m quiet and reserved, but I do have a lot of things to say. Hopefully this project will give people freedom to express themselves to their community or to their politicians, and let other trans people know that they’re not not alone.
Even though I’m not queer or gay, I’m behind you 100%. People are gonna back you and fight for you, and you’re not alone. That’s the biggest thing- to let people know that they’re not alone and there’s a community out there for you. There are friends, there are loved ones that you’ve never met, but we love you anyways. We want you to be happy, we want you to express yourself. Don’t be afraid to show who you really are and what you’re all about.