Attacks From the Right Focused on Transgender Americans Are a Huge Move Backwards

The Rights of a Few Must Become the Rights of the Majority

Sadly, when we look at issues which have advanced and improved the lives of the world’s people, America is at the very bottom of the list of developed nations. Our “healthcare system” is a complete failure. It is the most expensive, and ineffective in the world. Only the wealthy can afford the best doctors and the best facilities. And Republicans who serve the wealthy don’t want you to have that same level of care.
The United States is so far behind every other nation in educating our young men and women, it is highly probable that it will fail to catch up in my children’s lifetimes if serious efforts began today.

America Is a Young Nation, But It’s Time for Us to Grow Up

Racism has always been a problem. However, over the last 60+ years of improvements, it took only four years between 2017 and 2021 for us to realize it is pervasive and one of the biggest problems in America. While all other developed nations have progressed beyond this issue, based entirely on ignorance, the white supremacist movement in America is experiencing a resurgence.
Our nation will be 247 years old this year. For women, not only have there been only minor improvements, red states are escalating their war against women’s rights and their fight for equality. America is moving backwards into its darkest days when women were virtual slaves to the needs of men. Red states are clearly stating that women are inferior to men and incapable of making their own decisions.
In the rest of developed nations, the rights of individuals who identify with the LGBTQ community are a normal part of everyday life. In America, homophobia among right wing politicians and their supporters is universal. This fact offers irrefutable proof that all Republicans choose to abandon the need for intelligent thought and action.

The bottom line is that the United States is far behind every other nation in quality of life. This is the ultimate measure of a great country.

Every Situation Is Different and Must be Evaluated Honestly

I would be remiss if I failed to expose the idiocy from the left. Although it is valid that any young man or woman who has reached puberty must be respected for their own feelings, this is not true for younger children. Small children lack the experience and understanding of what it means to be an actual transgender American. Rushing to judgment is equally harmful. It is of utmost importance that parents base their decisions to accept a child’s decisions about their future on communication and consultation with professionals familiar with the subject.

The reality of this situation is based on education and understanding. If a 16-year-old explains his or her feelings about their sexuality, we must listen carefully and take appropriate steps to ensure that that child is fully aware of the responsibilities which will result from their decision. Support comes from honest discussion and empathy.

Doing the Right Thing Is Seldom Easy

Everything in life is critical. Life is not easy, and education and communication are paramount when decisions about the future of adolescents are made. Whatever and whoever we are must be accepted and respected by all Americans. Prejudice in any form is ignorant and an assault on what it means to be an American. I am a progressive, formerly called liberal, and all Americans should join me. If you are not looking to the future, you are living in the past: there is no in between.
When I was a younger man in the 1960s and 70s, I dreamed. Like all of my fellow younger Americans, I believed that I would be a part of a country which would grow and become the greatest country in the world. I am still waiting, and my time is growing short.

Written by James Turnage

Find my nine novels on Amazon’s Kindle

Sources:

The Guardian: ‘Desperate and bigoted’: US right uses latest shooting to malign trans people

USA Today: Despite emotional pleas, one of country’s strictest anti-trans bills becomes law in Kentucky

Top and featured image courtesy of Alexander Grey‘s Unsplash page – Creative Commons License