What are we teaching our kids?

What are we teaching our kids when Iowa laws single out transgender youth for special treatment? I refer to the new laws that ban gender-affirming care for trans youth and prevent trans students from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identities.

Forget for a moment whether you agree with the laws. What do these laws teach our kids? That trans kids deserve different treatment because you are somehow defective or dangerous to “normal” cisgender kids. That you are less than. That you are not wanted. That it’s OK to bully, disrespect, or snub trans kids. That Iowa lawmakers say it’s OK to discriminate against them. That the laws were created to protect us from you weird trans kids.

Children learn by watching adults. We should do better — for the children.

My message to transgender kids: You are loved. You are worthy. You are seen. Continue being you.

My message to cisgender kids: Stand up for your transgender brothers and sisters. Show them love. They need you now more than ever.

My message to adults: Teach kids that adults don’t always know best and that laws are not always just.

Gordie Felger

Hiawatha