Dear Future President,
My name is Kyle and I’m in the sixth grade. Recently I have seen a lot of laws being passed that are banning gender-affirming care for minors and anti LGBTQ+ laws in general. I live in Missouri, where one of these laws has been passed. I am a gender-fluid (which falls under the trans umbrella) minor, and I really don’t think these laws are okay. My family may have to move if more anti-LGBTQ+ laws are passed.
Many people are having to leave their homes because of anti-LGBTQ+ laws in their state. If they don’t leave they might not have access to gender-affirming care, which allows them to be themselves. According to the article “Judge in Missouri transgender care lawsuit agrees to step aside but decries ‘gamesmanship’’’ published by ABC News, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia have stopped prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to minors if they’re wanted for gender transition. This shows how people have decided that it is a bad thing to transition, which is a large problem. In the article “Missouri law banning minors from beginning gender-affirming treatments takes effect” published by AP News, written by Summer Ballentine, it says, “At least 22 states have enacted laws banning or restricting gender-affirming care for minors, and most of the bans are being challenged in court.” I can see that a lot of people are being affected by these laws, and people are trying their best to get rid of them so they and their families can live in peace
If I wanted to medically transition I would not be able to unless I moved away from my home. My family is also scared that more laws will be passed in Missouri that target the LGBTQ+ community. If they are passed I will have to move away from my home, friends, school, and family. I know a lot of people are facing the same thing. My school is a place for everybody, no matter who they are, which gives people facing problems in school a place to feel safe. The laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community need to be removed.
Please side with the LGBTQ+ community and fight against these laws. If you do this, other people might be inspired to do the same. If more people fight against these laws, then there is a much larger chance of them getting removed or not getting passed in the first place. People in many different states are filing lawsuits against these laws and if you support them they might win. I truly hope you fight against these new laws. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my letter and think about my cause.
Sincerely,
Kyle
6th grade
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