Support Trans Kids!
In other countries, such as Iceland and Australia, there are special provisions for trans children, while in our country, even many mental health professionals consider it impossible for them to exist at all!
It is also possible for a parent who respects their trans child to be accused of pushing or influencing them to express their gender identity differently. It is common for the imposition of the "normal" parent, who wants to conform their child, to dominate, with incalculable consequences for trans children, all of which are negative.
However, it is important for truth and information to overcome the obstacles posed by ignorance because trans children:
Exist! For every 10 children, one may be trans... Often get diagnosed with various disorders because they either fear coming out, or uninformed professionals cannot discern their needs. Parents fear that if their children are trans, they are "abnormal" or sick and severely abuse them. The abuse trans children suffer is doubled since even institutions do not protect them. For example, if a teacher sees physical abuse in a child, they will report it. However, if they see abuse towards a trans child by a parent, they will not "interfere." This shows the double standards that put the lives of trans children at risk. It is equally important to emphasize that:
Being trans is NOT CONTAGIOUS. No child will "catch" being trans because a classmate dresses differently or is called by a different name than the one on the Ministry of Education's list. If that were the case, there wouldn't be any trans children at all, as they would have "caught" the cis state...
Being trans is NOT DUE TO SEXUAL ABUSE. Sexual abuse is one thing, and being trans is another. Precisely because it was previously considered a "perversion" (unknown for what reason) and was heavily associated with sexual acts, it is still primarily viewed this way by various social services or mental health professionals without knowledge on the subject.
Being trans CANNOT BE CREATED intentionally. Science is full of examples where this has been conclusively proven. No one can make me trans, for instance, if I am not trans. No one can make me a man if I feel like a woman and vice versa.
Trans children EXIST. Trans adults did not become trans at 18! Just as a cis man did not become a man upon adulthood. When a child expresses themselves differently regarding gender, they need respect, acceptance, and affirmation.
If it is a "phase," there is no need to worry, as it will pass. If it is a "role," it will soon be revealed through acceptance.
However, when gender identity ultimately manifests, which happens more frequently as parents are more open-minded than before or because social conditions are more favorable, then, after the age of 7, the child definitely needs respect and acceptance, because any attempt to reverse it is deeply traumatic and abusive. After the age of 7, gender identity is considered significantly established, and it is dangerous to try to "restore" a child's gender identity to its previous state.
Trans people do not need anyone to speak on their behalf. They are fully capable of doing so themselves. However, trans children unfortunately need the protection of all of us.
Your information today can save your child's life tomorrow.
You don't necessarily need to report something – just take the step to learn, talk to people who know and can answer your questions.
You don't need to become fanatic about it – it is enough to incorporate the information into your knowledge and put it into practice in your daily life.
However, if you see a child around you being pressured to express "correctly" according to their gender, you can speak up, discuss, find a way to help the adult understand, and support them on the journey towards acceptance.
Be an informed person, so trans children can be saved from abuse and its tragic consequences.
**Support Trans Kids**
### What Are Trans Kids and Why Do They Need Our Support?
When we define terms, disagreements become less frequent because the meanings of words are clearly established from the outset. While we may disagree on ideas, at least we will know exactly what we are talking about.
A trans person is someone who does not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth based on their predominant biological sex characteristics. For example, someone might be born with testes and a penis – the dominant biological characteristics of the male sex – and be declared a boy. However, as they grow, they may feel they do not truly belong to the category of boys.
The reverse is also true for trans individuals. A child might be born with a vulva and be declared a girl, complete with pink balloons at the hospital, only to later declare they feel like a boy and eventually a man. This is not an act of rebellion but a true trans boy.
We always refer to the current identity of the person. So, we say "trans boy" or simply "boy" according to officially accepted terminology, avoiding phrases like "a girl who became a boy." This terminology helps to describe without using offensive words and is crucial for understanding and respect, just like saying "good morning" in the morning rather than "good night."
The term "trans" has no relation to "transvestite," a derogatory term used in the past to describe a marginalized group of people.
The trans condition is not an illness or mental disorder. However, many trans individuals may experience "gender dysphoria" due to non-acceptance by family or society.
Understanding the trans condition involves distinguishing it from sexual orientation, as the two are unrelated. The trans condition is about how one perceives their own gender, while sexual orientation concerns who one is attracted to or wants to form a relationship with.
Trans people have always existed in all societies and cultures. Gender identity, which is inherent and forms during pregnancy, manifests differently and at different times for each person.
Gender identity is a personal perception of one's own gender, not necessarily aligned with societal views of what is masculine or feminine.
Gender identity is not a social construct. This was disproved in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s when thousands of gender correction surgeries were performed on infants for health reasons or to assign a gender to intersex children. The assumption was that these children would develop a gender identity aligned with their surgically assigned gender. This theory was abandoned due to its tragic consequences, including suicides, as people could not align their biological sex with their gender identity.
It is now clear in scientific literature that being trans is not a disorder and does not require medical or psychiatric correction to conform to social standards.
So, why the recent backlash against trans individuals? And why does their number seem to have increased?
First, science alone cannot convince everyone. If someone doesn't want to be convinced, all the data in the world won't change their mind. The trans condition is a socially charged concept tied to many stereotypes, especially in conservative societies like Greece.
Additionally, the trans condition may require medical or legal actions, so trans individuals often need to convince or positively influence those resistant to change, such as experts, judges, lawyers, and even office clerks.
During difficult socio-economic and political times, conservatism increases, leading to conflicts over issues previously considered resolved. For example, the right to abortion is being contested again.
The confusion between the trans condition and sexual orientation can scandalize the average person, leading to resistance from less progressive minds or those lacking sufficient knowledge on the subject. Trans people are often erroneously associated with excessive sexual behavior, which is a misconception.
The number of trans individuals hasn't increased, but social conditions have become more favorable for them to express themselves more freely.
Trans individuals are the most frequent victims of abuse, attacks, murder, and discrimination. Therefore, they are not easily visible. Recent improvements in the general climate regarding LGBTQ+ issues and scientific data, coupled with institutional support from the European Union, have enabled trans individuals to seek equal presence in life.
What about children? How can they know who they are?
Children express themselves spontaneously and without the stereotypes or beliefs of adults. They do not know what it means to be trans or whether it's considered good or bad. If an adult corrects them harshly, the child learns that their self-perception is wrong and shameful.
All people, trans or cis, feel their gender without knowing much about it or explaining it. Just as a cis child knows they are a boy, a trans child knows they are not a boy but a girl. Children of all genders understand their identity with the same certainty. The difference is that we do not question cis children because it is more common and doesn't challenge our norms.
A primary argument against trans children is their fluidity. However, this fluidity exists in all phases of life. While about 5% of trans individuals change their minds, 95% maintain their gender identity into adulthood. Therefore, fluidity is not a reason to prohibit a child from expressing themselves or to deny them respect or recognition.
The age argument, suggesting children are too young to express their gender identity, is also flawed. Gender identity starts manifesting alongside socialization, typically around ages 3 to 4, making it normal for a child to express their gender identity.
The problem is not a child's change of direction. Just as they express their trans identity, they will express any changes later in life if they feel safe. The trans condition is not a choice, so it’s not about whims. Adults can distinguish between a child's play roles and their gender identity expression. If unsure, seek guidance from specialists to ensure non-abusive behavior towards the child.
Gender identity is not a "spoiled demand" of a trans child. It's a fundamental part of who they are. Society dictates what is masculine or feminine, but it cannot define an individual's identity.
Proper guidance for a trans child does not mean making them conform to their biological sex. Trans conditions are minimally influenced by external attitudes, which can cause internal distress if not expressed.
Cis individuals do not need validation of their gender identity, but trans individuals often require institutional or mental health validation, especially children, due to the rarity of the condition.
If the trans condition is natural and not a disorder, why the ongoing debate? Because many mental health professionals are not well-informed. Many professionals still rely on outdated theories, affecting parents or teachers who encounter a trans child.
Trans children are often seen as problematic. Ignorance or partial knowledge and stereotypes prevent society from recognizing trans children. They do not need medical interventions or legal document changes to be recognized. They simply need to express themselves freely and be addressed with their chosen pronouns.
Ultimately, respecting trans children is about the attitudes of others: specialists, parents, teachers, and peers' parents. Society needs to overcome past biases and misconceptions to allow trans children to live freely and healthily.
