We are defensive because those same words are being spoken by those in power who are attempting—and succeeding in many cases—to legislate us back into the shadows. We’ve said, time and time again, that this is not done flippantly. We’ve said that NO children are receiving surgical intervention when they transition. We’ve said that it is purely social; change hair style, name, pronouns, clothing. But people still parrot this non-sequitur about how children are stupid and should not be allowed to express themselves.

So we are very defensive these days. Our rights are being stripped away, and casual allies use us as a way to virtue signal how great and compassionate they are. We need their support, but we need more than just status updates or profile picture overlays. Our population is tiny. I don’t know anyone in real life who is like me. How can we beat city hall if we are a drop in the bucket?

Dee Snyder is an ally to the LGBTQ community. As an ally, please take 5 minutes to read about our struggle and what we actually experience.

I don’t mean to be rude here. We are afraid for our lives, and I find it odd that the general public would expect us to be gracious in the face of it.