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You exist. Your identity is valid. And it’s science.
You exist. Your identity is valid. And it’s science.
With the rising prevalence of anti-trans bills, I worry about the psychological safety of our vulnerable youth. Bills like Florida’s recently passed, “Don’t Say Gay” bill aka "Parents Rights in Education," explicitly teach children to relate to queer identity as ‘bad.’ Certainly, if we dare not speak its name, it must be truly heinous. Anyone remember Voldemort..? Ask any behavior analyst, psychologist, sociologist, or PARENT, social influence is a powerful learning tool. The impact of social learning isn’t limited to a child’s attitudes around their own identity. Unsurprisingly, social learning also influences attitudes toward queer family members and loved ones. Stop for a moment to consider the litany of social and psychological implications for a child raised by queer parents in a district where “don’t say gay,” is enforceable by law. Bills like these only serve to fuel hate, divide families, and ostracize children.
Not unexpectedly, evidence shows that these practices, which are the very definition of social stigmatization and discrimination, increase psychological harm to children.
As a behavior analyst, it is my job to examine an environment and determine ways in which I can create impactful behavioral change for my clients through small environmental modifications. I do this in collaboration with my clients to improve personal autonomy and psychological health. Through this same lens of examination, if a professional's goal was for ill intent, to inflict harm and oppression through creating small changes within the environment, they could do no better than implementing HB 1557. This relatively small legislative action will have innumerable short and long-term consequences on how people relate to one another, how we treat each other, and the license we take in everyday interactions.
Rather than teach children to internalize shame surrounding gender, sex, and attraction, let’s educate ourselves and our youth in psychological and biological sciences. Regardless of what anyone’s uncle tells you, no one is 100% male or 100% female. All of these constructs exist on a continuum and there is no clear or simple dichotomy delineated by any biological marker. Teaching children the scientific reality that biology is diverse is not only academically beneficial but psychologically as well. Let's normalize talking about science.
Below is a Genderbread person, created to educate people of all ages on issues of gender and identity. You can support yourself and vulnerable youth by learning and sharing this information. Additionally, please take the time to vote in local elections. Your vote might only take a quick 2 minutes out of your day, while legislated hate can have a lifetime effect on vulnerable children and their families. Please also consider supporting organizations like the Human Rights Campaign; the Trevor Project; and the Transgender Law Center. Whether we choose to act or whether we choose to stay silent, our choices right now will have a lifelong impact on a child's future.
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