We are more powerful than them
Tuesday's decision regarding the right of transgender girls to participate in girls' sports is not only heartbreaking, it is deeply harmful — another example that the conservative majority of the Court is woefully out of touch.
We are heartbroken and outraged.
To every transgender youth out there, to every parent of a transgender child, and in fact to every transgender person, we are with you. We see you. We know this was wrong.
In this case, five straight men and one straight woman upheld state bans on the participation of transgender girls in girls' sports. While it did not make such bans the law across the land, these six people once again paved the way for even more marginalization — in this case, marginalization of children and youth.
They say they issued this decision based on the illusion of fairness. The decision they issued is anything but — it is unfair and it is unjust. They have, in fact, weaponized "fairness."
Some of us may think that this decision does not impact us, that it has nothing to do with us. For those harboring any doubt, we say:
This is not the first such decision. It is part of a trend. Let's remember the Skrmetti decision, which upheld the right of states to ban gender-affirming care, specifically puberty blockers and hormone treatment, for transgender youth.
This is a gendered decision that reveals underlying misogyny. At its heart, it reveals bias toward those who step out of the heteronormative male expectations to live their truth.
This is about the right of all of us, as LGBTQ+ individuals, to fully participate in civic and social life. Participation in team sports is just one of the many societal activities that promote connection, development of friendships, good mental health, and the ability to work and interact with others.
It follows the cowardly "logic" of other recent decisions such as the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, throwing the issue back to states to decide. We must question how this decision conforms to the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. In this case, the Court effectively said transgender girls can be banned from participation in one state while allowed to participate in another. This is Equal Protection?
Also following the path created by the Dobbs decision, this is yet another attack on the fundamental right to bodily autonomy — a reality that can impact each and every one of us.
We will not be fooled. We know that this is another attack on us. Another attempt to silence us and push us back into the closet. We have work to do.
To every transgender young person and to their families, we say loudly:
You are loved.
You are seen.
You are beautiful.
You belong. There is a home for you at 300 Wall Street. We stand with you today, tomorrow, and every day.
Our Fight is Love. Together, we are more powerful than them. We are more powerful than hate and ignorance.
Richard Heyl de Ortiz
Executive Director
Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center
