Kentucky General Assembly’s attempts to harm transgender people are terrifying | Opinion

As a trans person, I am terrified about the anti-trans bills that are flooding through the Kentucky state legislature.

Growing up, I had a good family. I had two younger brothers and a mom and dad who loved me. We were lucky enough to have enough food to eat and a roof over our heads. My parents are Roman Catholic and very religious. Growing up, we went to Mass every Sunday and all the Days of Obligation. Both of my brothers sang in the church choir. Except I had a horrible secret. I was queer, and the church I went to preached about how gay people were damning America to hell. Both my parents told me they didn’t support the LGBTQ lifestyle. That was terrifying for me, and was horrible for my mental health.

My only escape was at school, where I could talk to friends and other kids like me. I went to my school’s Gay-Straight Alliance on Fridays at lunch in secret. Being allowed to be myself around my friends without worrying about my parents finding out was a lifeline, a glimpse of freedom for the future, and one that came with no risks or danger.

While I was open with my friends, at the same time, I was afraid to tell my teachers or to tell guidance counselors. I desperately needed mental health care, care that my parents didn’t want to get me, but I was afraid that if I talked to a guidance counselor about being queer, the guidance counselor would talk to my parents. Other kids that I knew talked with the guidance counselors and the teachers at school about the things they were experiencing, and they felt better afterwards. I was just too scared, and as a result, I isolated myself more and more and my depression got worse and worse. I felt like if I told anyone how I was feeling, they would tell my parents. A friend of mine in a similar situation was outed to his parents accidentally and attempted suicide as a result.

Senate Bill 150 and House Bill 470 are currently moving through the Kentucky General Assembly, and both bills would be dangerous to our trans youth. These bills are a part of a recent trend to attack transgender children across the nation. Recently, more than 300 anti-trans bills nationwide have been filed, proving this is just another coordinated attack to stigmatize and shame the LGBTQ community. But let’s be clear, any bill that chooses to disrespect children is a bill rooted in bullying and division.

This legislation has been pushed as a proponent for parent’s rights, but what it really does is ignore the rights of students, especially some of our most marginalized students. The truth is, not all youth have the safest environment and sadly, Kentucky ranks number one in the country for child abuse and neglect.

For young people living in abusive households, disclosing sexual activity among other things can trigger physical or emotional abuse, including direct physical or sexual violence, or being thrown out of the home. The risks of abuse are especially acute for queer and trans youth.

When trans and nonbinary students are treated with respect and affirmed in their gender identity, we know that they thrive. They deserve to be cared for and affirmed. They deserve to feel accepted in their communities and lead authentic, joyful lives. All students should have the right to an education, and to access the benefits that our school system provides without fear of retribution from their parents. Let’s not take away what could be the only safe space for some of our trans youth.

Mason Chernosky is a trans man living in Lexington.