“Anti-trans laws had stripped my childhood innocence away. That was the moment I lost faith in Utah’s elected leaders’ ability to protect me.”
I am a friend, student, athlete, son and brother — but, most simply, I’m a person.I was blissfully unaware of Utah’s dominant political ideology when I came out as transgender in 2019. I was a child who had just told my family I was a boy, and my interests did not lie in upcoming elections or the future of trans rights. If I could go back in time and tell that young boy to be more engaged in his state’s politics, I would.
Anti-trans laws had stripped my childhood innocence away. That was the moment I lost faith in Utah’s elected leaders’ ability to protect me. Gov. Cox had fallen back on his promise; it was no longer OK. Limiting transgender rights should not help strengthen your political campaign. No discrimination should. Transgender issues have never been about politics, they are simply human rights., Cox is one step closer to having four more years in office, but at the cost of transgender Utahns. I put my trust in Gov. Cox back in 2022 when he was willing to protect me. Now, I feel I’m nothing more than a tool to his campaign.
The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinionOpinion: As a trans Utahn, I will continue to live in joyful defiance of a hateful government
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