It is easy to be ignorant of the transgender persons anguish in little things like being able to be safe when using a rest room if you have no knowledge of anyone like that, easy to judge and think, “they are asking for trouble by dressing like that, or they may entice others to act like them…etc” but when you have a family member or close friend that is going through this you acquire a better understanding and some humanity! that happened to me, no, my son is not transgender, he is gay and I learned a huge lesson when he finally came out. I realized I thought all those things and that was such a wake up call for me. I met such amazing families from whom I have learned so much in the past 7 years and I know that AB 1266 is such a gift for parents of transgender kids (the enlightened ones that are supportive who will have a healthier relationship with their child) and the kids themselves. They have the backing of the government and thus the schools in acknowledging them and their rights to safety. It will force the school to support them and it is a teachable moment for all families. This can be the difference between life and death for a transgender kid in knowing he/she will be accepted for who they are and hopefully protected. It is not contagious, it is not a choice! why can’t some of you ill-informed parents who like to make so much noise and oppose, condemn and judge what you don’t understand instead try to learn and put yourselves in their shoes! And believe me when I say you may be hating and condemning someone close to you without even knowing it because your words make it harder for them to ever confide in you and eventually causes depression, suicide, and withdrawal from the family nucleus.
Please please learn from this. It will save lives and I’m so proud to be in a state that advocates for those that don’t have a voice.