Third Act statement on transgender attacks

Third Act is the nation’s largest organization of progressive elders. Our expertise centers on safeguarding our climate and democracy, but we speak out on other issues when conscience demands—and the new administration’s relentless attacks on transgender Americans, especially youth, is one of those occasions.

 

Not all of us were parents, but most of us were, and if not parents, we have been caretakers in other ways: aunts and uncles, teachers—we have, cumulatively, millions of years of experience raising children. We know that they thrive when treated with love and acceptance, and that they wither when they are rejected and scorned. The new policies announced by the president are bullying, and they will damage minds and hearts.

If there’s one hope most of us had for our children when they were born, it’s that they would grow up to be kind. That we are now run by an administration that celebrates cruelty is regrettable; we are determined to do what we can to make sure they don’t damage the generations that will follow.

Third Actors will continue to stand up for oppressed families and communities, even if these families and communities are not their own. It’s the right thing to do. Below, you can find some organizations devoted to transgender rights and safety; we encourage you to support them.