Mo, Age 13, Utah
MO: Honestly, I don’t think people who don’t know your experience every day should be dictating laws that affect you everyday. The medical ones that say trans people under the age of 18 aren’t supposed to get medical care – that could really affect them. I know there could be more deaths with that, which would not be good.
For me, it’s hard being trans especially at such a young age and not being able to medically transition yet. It’s just hard, having to be scared to go to the bathroom or just be out in public. I’m not out in school so I do use the girls’ bathroom which sucks. It makes me dysphoric, but I can’t really change that. The year’s almost done.
MOM: It’s scary. Mo came out to us not even a year ago, and these past two months he’s been on medication to stop periods and I’ve seen how he feels so much better. It’s a big relief to him, and if we ever get those laws here – what’s going to happen to him? Because I can’t stop them. I would literally move to every state possible just to make him… just feel good. As a parent, that’s all you want. But it’s scary. My family is back in Texas. Nobody else in our family is trans, but I think about kids over there and what they are going through, how the parents feel. I would feel helpless, useless. Because as a parent you just want to protect your kid and help them with everything possible.
I remember when he came out to me. It was a Saturday, and especially here in Utah on Sunday nothing is open. So first thing Monday morning, as soon as eight AM hit, I called everywhere – asking what do I do next? How do I help him? From there on it’s just been little things, bits of information, that’s all we can do a as a parent. Just help him. All our family is supportive, and home is always a safe place for him. That’s what we’re going to continue to provide.
MO: People making these laws don’t’ understand that it effects people a lot. The laws just don’t make sense at all. I’m pretty sure it’s ruining trans people’s mental health, and their health in general. It makes me upset, mad, that they even exist.
Things like this can make a really big impact. I know most kids don’t come out at 13, it’s uncommon to come out very young. It’s not easy. But sharing my thoughts and opinions at my age can help someone else realize that theirs are valid, and they’re not alone, they’re not going crazy. Hearing a young person’s voice can really impact someone.
MOM: Ever since Mo came out to us we just try to do little things to get involved. Last June was his first Pride month so I threw a little party – just us, at home. I try to do little stuff like that for him.
MO: It was nice. I woke up on June first and was like ‘Oh there’s a pride party at my house.’
MOM: They say I’m too ‘extra’ sometimes, but I don’t care!
MO: Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Being different is completely fine. There are going to be a lot of bumps in the road, but at the end of the day, coming to terms with who you are is probably one of the best things ever.
MOM: Like I told Mo, the important people are going to be ok with it and accept it, and that’s what matters. Everybody who’s not ok with it, they’re not important. To other parents – it’s ok, you know? It’s weird at the beginning, getting used to everything – it’s a big change. But as long as your child is ok and happy, you’re going to be ok and happy.