The science speaks for itself: the treatment for gender dysphoria is transition. No amount of discrimination, dehumanization, criminalization, or eradication of us will ever erase that fact. We’ve always been here, and will continue to be until human extinction.

To say we’re “too young to know,” to insinuate “it’s a phase,” is sickening. It serves to invalidate the lived experiences of millions of trans individuals, the needless suffering and death our community endures. Us trans adults were once trans kids. For the sake of the kids, we beg you to listen.

To speak from my own experience, I, too, was once a trans kid that contended with self-harm, suicidal ideation and subsequent attempts. All of those left irreversible, irreparable damage on my body that was completely avoidable had I had access to the resources and care I needed.