Inclusion Matters: Musings from a Therapist in Fairfax, VA

We live in a time when the rights of transgender and non-binary people are being targeted, attacked, and dismantled in broad daylight. Where it is no longer safe to be a trans person, never mind a trans child, in so many parts of our country. When lawmakers and lobbyists are ignoring the data, ignoring the professional opinions, ignoring the voices of the people themselves in the hopes that, at some point, trans folks’ very existence will be eradicated. Wouldn’t it be lovely if, instead of treating these complex issues like a yes or no question, these lawmakers and lobbyists, these folks who are working so hard to eliminate anyone who doesn’t conform to the agreed-upon gender binary, could issue an invitation with respect and curiosity, and could listen to those with different life experiences than they? And maybe even come to some new understanding? Wouldn’t that be lovely?