Recently there has been an unfortunate movement of anti-LGBTQ+ and, specifically, anti-transgender bills, policies and directives aimed at harming or suppressing these individuals. These actions, more deliberately, are aimed at children and adolescents.
Recently the Florida Legislature passed a “Don’t Say Gay” bill (HB 1557/SB 1834); to prohibit certain discussions about LGBTQ+ topics in any school setting to conceal and silence LGBTQ+ youth.
The governor of Texas directed Family and Protective Services to begin investigating all transgender children in Texas and report their parents as child abusers for seeking gender-affirming health care. All mandated reporters are required to follow this guidance.
Other states are considering orders and directives like these.
Harmful LGBTQ+ and trans-exclusionary legislation is dehumanizing — and politicians who attack LGBTQ+ and trans kids by supporting these measures should not be politicians anymore.
Refusing to support kids who tell you they are transgender does not decrease the chance that they will grow up to be trans. It only decreases the chances that they will grow up.
There is a direct association with the barriers that transgender people face, such as the lack of quality, equitable health care, and lifetime suicide attempt rates that are almost 10 times higher than the 4.6% rate in the general population.
Other data suggests transgender people also face significantly higher prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, victimization, and mental health issues, including a decreased likelihood of having health insurance. There are reports that show 28% of transgender individuals postponed their care because of previous discrimination and inequities.
Transgender adolescents who receive gender-affirming care have a lower risk of suicidal thoughts as adults than those who wanted care but faced barriers to access it. Lawmakers must treat these health risks of transgender youth as the public health issue that it is, and not potentiate these risks with discriminatory actions.
Gender-affirming health care is health care, and health care is a right that everybody deserves regardless of who they are. Health care providers must step up to the plate in this moment and advocate for equitable, affirming care for LGBTQ+ and transgender people.
Registered nurses continue to make up the largest subset of health care providers. They are in an optimal position to intentionally advance affirming health care with advocacy, policy change and education.
Registered nurses must denounce discriminatory policies and practices that harm transgender and LGBTQ+ people seeking health care and hold colleagues accountable who do not meet this basic standard.
There is an opportunity for the nursing profession to take a leadership role in our health care systems to provide fundamental, affirming care to these often-marginalized people and to protect their human dignity.
Transgender people are people. Transgender children are children. They’re brilliant. Creative. Beautiful. Spontaneous. Vibrant. Resilient. Energetic. Courageous. Treat them like people and support them the way you would support any other child.
It is likely that somebody who you love and care about identifies as LGBTQ+, whether they are open to you about it or not. They see our actions, our words, the things we like on social media. We need to do better.
In our own communities we can support and elect individuals who do not discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. It is appalling that protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people is still a topic of debate in 2022.
Lucky for us, advocacy, support, love and acceptance are free for us to provide. I will always stand and support our LGBTQ+ community, and I encourage you to do the same.
If you or someone you know need support or feel motivated to support gender and sexual minorities, there are local, regional, and national organizations that can help: www.bradburysullivancenter.org; www.patransequity.org; www.glaad.org.
John C. Mikovits, a registered nurse with a Ph.D., is an assistant professor of nursing at Moravian University’s Helen S. Breidegam School of Nursing and Public Health.