"In a Monday appearance on comedian Marc Maron's podcast, former President Barack Obama urged allies of transgender kids to avoid "holier-than-thou" condescension when speaking to people with "old-fashioned values" who have "some blind spots" when it comes to their opinions on trans youth. 'I actually had some pretty old-fashioned values even if I had progressive or newfangled ideas,' Obama told Maron on his podcast, WTF with Marc Maron."
"Obama made the comment when discussing how to reaffirm one's own core values in a changing world, Gayety reported. 'If I talked about trans issues,' Obama said as an example, 'I wasn't talking down to people and saying 'Oh, you're a bigot.' I'd say, 'You know what, it's tough enough being a teenager. Let's treat all kids decently.' Why would we want to see kids bullied or shamed? Why would we want to do that? What if it was our kid?'"
"Conservatives have largely characterized trans kids as indoctrinated and mentally ill victims of adult 'groomers' who seek to 'sexualize' them into undergoing 'irreversible' 'childhood genital mutilation.' These negative characterizations are largely perpetuated by right-wing think tanks and contradict medical expertise. Concurrently, Republicans have sought to eradicate the existence of trans youth by ending trans-inclusive school policies and access to gender-affirming care."
Barack Obama advised allies of transgender youth to avoid a holier-than-thou tone when engaging people with traditional values and blind spots on trans issues. He emphasized connecting through shared core values and stressing common decency, noting the importance of protecting teenagers from bullying and shame. Conservatives have framed trans kids as indoctrinated or victims of adult manipulation, a characterization driven by right-wing groups that contradicts medical expertise. Republicans have pursued policies ending trans-inclusive school measures and limiting access to gender-affirming care. Numerous pediatric experts and professional medical associations report that many trans children consistently and persistently express their gender identity and can benefit from social transitioning.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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