Discrimination Domino

The following is a transcript of the testimony I gave to the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee regarding SB2 & SB32, the transgender sports ban bills.

I’m Molly Carnes and I am the Christian parent of a precious transgender daughter.  I’m speaking in opposition to SB2 and SB32.

We all know this isn’t about sports. This is a conservative vote getter.  I’m going to focus on the most ugly part of this bill.  Creating a barrier to changing a minor’s gender marker on their birth certificate is a Discrimination Domino.

The way this bill is written, it forces minors to decide to either live truthfully or to live as an imposter – this last option having grave consequences for their mental health.  And since we’re talking about children… Here’s the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie effect of your bill.  If you are transgender and you don’t get a birth certificate that reflects your true gender…

·      Not only can you not participate on the sports team of your gender
·      Depending on when your 18^th birthday falls (I graduated at 17)
·      You can’t get a transcript in your correct name/gender
·      You can’t get a correct diploma
·      You can’t get a correct social security card
·      So you can’t complete your FAFSA app
·      So you can’t apply for scholarships
·      So you can’t get financial aid
·      So you can’t go to college. 
·      And you can’t get an ID
·      So you cant open a bank account
·      and you can’t travel on an airplane.
·      And you can’t get correct medical records
·      and you can’t get your prescriptions in the correct name.
·      And you can’t get a job because you don’t have a social security card
·      So you can’t get a loan or a credit card.
·      So you can’t rent an apartment.
·      So you can’t buy a car.

Unless you conform to the norm and live as an imposter, you are pushed to the margins of society in every sense:  Educational, financial, vocational, and in danger of being outed and attacked for being transgender. 

When your civil rights depend on your body – whether that is skin color, your physical ability, or your private parts – instead of your inherent worth as a human being  - that is the foundation for discrimination.

The beautiful thing about transgender people is that they understand at a very deep level that their soul, not their body, is truly who they are and who we all are.  And that is the foundation for dignity and respect.  I believe they are God’s messengers who are teaching us a very important lesson – perhaps one we should have learned as children.