History of Rights for Transgender Youth

The first recorded instance of a person identifying as neither male nor female comes from Mesopotamia, the first recorded human civilization. So quite literally, transgender and non-bianary people have existed since the beginning of human civilization.

Starting in the early 1900s trans children began to seek medical attention regarding their identities and sex. By the 1960s and 70s transgender children had begun to take hormones, change their names and have access to gender confirmation surgeries.

Unfortunately despite this development throughout the 1900s, lately legislation has seemed to attempt to go backwards regarding the rights of trans kids.

Why is this monument important?

Trans people never owe anyone an explanation for their identities but unfortunately public perception of trans youth has become important in our current political climate.

Recently, many states in the U.S have begun to try to pass laws banning hormone blockers and other gender affirming healthcare for children and teens. These laws would undeniably lower the quality of life and happiness for trans youth. Despite not being legal adults, children deserve autonomy and the government has no right to bar children and teens from having control over their own bodies.

Trans youth deserve a voice in their futures and the chance to show the world the beauty of their identities. With this proposed monument, I hope to spread awareness of the truth of the lives of trans youth and provide a platform for them to express the messages they’d like to share with the world.

Our children and teens are the next generation of our country and their needs will not be silenced.