Trans youth are under attack. Across the United States, laws are being introduced and passed that strip young people of essential, evidence-based care.

Most recently, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering H.R. 3492, a bill that would criminalize the healthcare transgender people under 18 rely on. If passed, providers who offer gender-affirming medical care to minors could face fines and up to 10 years in federal prison.

This bill targets trans and gender non conforming children. It fuels fear, restricts access to care, and even uses trans kids as political weapons.

I'm starting to think a lot about what it means to be a queer elder, and for me it means protecting queer and trans youth. When queer youth have the clarity of knowing who they are and telling us who they are, it is our job to nurture that knowing--to be moved by it, and make space for it. In order to do that, we need to protect their medical providers' ability to listen with an open heart rather than anxiety about punishment.

We have already seen waves of similar attacks at the state and federal levels. Each one makes it harder for providers to offer care, harder for families to make decisions for their children, and harder for trans youth to simply exist without threat.

Members of the United States House of Representatives must reject H.R. 3492 and any future attempt to criminalize gender-affirming care. Lawmakers must protect providers, protect families, and protect the young people who deserve support.

Trans youth deserve safety, dignity, and a future. We cannot allow legislation that treats their care as a crime.

Sign this petition to demand that Congress stop H.R. 3492 and protect access to gender-affirming care for trans youth.

Casey Tanner was compensated by Change.org to create and promote this petition. They may earn additional compensation based on engagement with this petition.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V Solis

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