"Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding the Stigma and Inequality Faced by Transgender Youths"
- mia ekola
- Jan 16, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 1, 2024
In today's blog post, I want to talk about something that is near and dear to my heart: using communication as a tool for social change. Throughout my experiences and endeavors, I have witnessed firsthand the power that effective communication can have in making a positive impact in society. From volunteering at the Veterans Hospital to working with LGBTQ youth, I have seen how communication can bring about change and create a better world for all.
In today's digital age, online platforms have become powerful tools for raising awareness and addressing social issues. As someone who is passionate about making a positive impact in society, I have found that creating an online blog is an effective way to amplify my voice and connect with like-minded individuals. In this blog post, I want to share my experience and provide some tips for creating an online blog for social issues.
One of the ways I have been able to make a difference through my blog is by actively communicating with community government officials. By reaching out to them, I have been able to raise awareness about social issues and advocate for change. Whether it's through emails, social media, or attending local government meetings, engaging with officials can help.
Together, let's use the power of the internet to create a better world. There has been a growing trend of states denying transgender children access to hormone therapy, a medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria. This is a form of discrimination against transgender youth that has been condemned by medical organizations such as the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association. In addition to denying hormone therapy, several states have also created laws that ban teaching about transgender youth mental health in schools.
This not only violates the right of transgender children to receive accurate information about their health, but it also perpetuates harmful misconceptions about the transgender community. One such example is a law passed in Texas in 2019, which prohibits educators from discussing any aspect of homosexuality or transgender identity with students. This law not only puts transgender youth at risk by denying them access to accurate information about their health, but it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about the transgender community.
Another example is a bill proposed in South Dakota in 2020 that would prohibit doctors from providing hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries to transgender minors. This bill not only denies transgender youth access to necessary medical care, but it also sends a message that their identity and well-being are not valued. Medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have spoken out against these laws, stating that they go against established medical guidelines and put the health and well-being of transgender youth at risk. The denial of hormone therapy can lead to severe negative impacts on the mental health and overall well-being of transgender youth, including depression, anxiety, and suicidality. In conclusion, the trend of states denying transgender children access to hormone therapy and creating laws that ban teaching about transgender youth mental health is a clear form of discrimination against the transgender community.
These laws not only violate the rights of transgender children to receive accurate information about their health, but they also perpetuate harmful misconceptions about the transgender community. It is important for states to recognize the medical necessity of hormone therapy for transgender youth and to prioritize their well-being by providing them with access to accurate information and necessary medical care.
Citations:
World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Gender identity and gender dysphoria. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/conditions/gender_identity/en/
American Medical Association (AMA). (n.d.). AMA Condemns State Laws Banning Discussion of Homosexuality and Transgender Identity in Schools. Retrieved from https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-condemns-state-laws-banning-discussion-homosexuality-and-transgender-identity
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2018, September). Supporting and Caring for Transgender Children. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20182038. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2038
Texas House Bill (HB) 2801. (2019). Retrieved from https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB2801/2019
South Dakota House Bill (HB) 1057. (2020). Retrieved from https://sdlegislature.gov/docs/legsession/2021/Bills/HB1057ENR.pdf
Note: The above citations may not include the most up-to-date information or developments on the topic, as my knowledge cut-off date is 2021. It is important to conduct further research and consult the most current sources available for the most accurate information.

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