I’m the dad of a transgender daughter. Kansas politicians simply ignore our voices | Opinion

I have been the proud father of a transgender daughter for about three years now. When she first came out to us as transgender, my wife and I were scared and worried about her, as any parent would be.

What is amazing to me, three years after that day, is how much Jenna’s confidence has grown. She has always been a very smart and compassionate person, but she has not always been as outgoing as she is now. She has a very supportive group of friends from both her high school and her college. While there have been huge changes in her self-confidence, Jenna has not changed when we spend time together as a family. She still teases her brother relentlessly and even goes after my wife and me with a little good-natured ribbing from time to time.

While it is hard to fully wrap my head around everything that has happened over these three years, it occurs to me that maybe she is now comfortable with who she is.

At the same time I see my daughter thriving as never before, I am astounded that politicians would try to step between parents and medical doctors. Politicians seem to be basing discriminatory legislation on testimony from a tiny number of individuals flown by activists from state to state to tell their stories of regret over their own transitions, while completely ignoring the room full of young transgender adults from Kansas who are flourishing.

Having supported our daughter closely as she’s gone through the process of transitioning, I can tell you that despite what some in the Legislature would have you believe, these medical treatments are not done out of a tent in a back lot. The doctors involved in this process take the time to explain the options, risks and benefits. These professionals are also very up-front that surgery is not provided to minors.

Any medical treatment — be it surgery or a prescription drug — carries risks. Unfortunately, people do sometimes experience bad results from all types of procedures. If we choose to fly people unhappy about their care around the country to convince lawmakers to ban necessary treatments for everyone, it is possible that many forms of medical care could be at risk. It would not be acceptable to stop all knee surgeries over one patient’s problems with the procedure. Likewise, it should not be acceptable to stop transgender care based on a few people’s bad outcomes.

After three years with my daughter, and one year fighting for my right to care for her as I see fit, I think it is important for all of us as human beings not to get hung up on labels. Instead, focus on individuals’ character and what we think they will do for society. I can tell you that through my life, I have interacted with many transgender people. They have some things in common: They are all extremely smart. They are all very creative. They are all good people who will have a positive effect on the world — and they are fearless.

I have watched these young people stand up for themselves against officials in our state government, many of whom seem to have nothing but hate for them, all the while knowing good and well that resisting these people may subject them to backlash from others.

I could not be more proud of my daughter and the joy that she continues to bring into our lives. It would be a mistake to allow Kansas and Missouri to become places where good people are not welcomed and supported.

This story was originally published April 27, 2023 at 11:25 AM.