36 Hours in DC

The Bandit's Mission to Save Gay Kids

Growing up, Smokey and the Bandit was one of my favorite movies. I loved the fast cars, the rebellious spirit, and, of course, Sally Field—one of my first crushes. Watching Burt Reynolds as the Bandit was exhilarating. His daring, confidence, and larger-than-life charisma inspired me. Like the Bandit, I live in my cowboy boots, ready to take on any challenge that comes my way.

This week, I felt like I was channeling the Bandit on a whirlwind, 36-hour round trip from Alabama to Washington, DC, for the Skrmetti case at the Supreme Court. This trip was serious.

The Skrmetti case centers on the medicalization of minors. The stakes couldn’t be higher, the push of gender-affirming care on some of the most vulnerable children—kids who often have autism, trauma histories, or co-occurring mental health issues. In this fight, Smokey isn’t the bumbling antagonist; Smokey is the U.S. government, recklessly championing gender ideology despite mounting evidence of harm.

Like Smokey’s car at the end of the movie, the trail left behind by gender-affirming care is one of devastation: It’s not medicine—it’s harm disguised as care.

A Diverse Coalition

The rally outside the Supreme Court was led by Do No Harm, with support from The Courage Coalition, WoLF, LGB Alliance USA, WDI, Our Duty, and other groups. Despite the freezing weather, our side arrived early, ready to share one unified message: Stop transing gay kids!

Speakers included a wide range of voices: detransitioners, medical professionals, parents, and lawyers. People from different backgrounds shared their stories and expertise, underscoring the growing concern over the medicalization of children.

Chloe Cole, a detransitioner who has become a powerful advocate, gave one of the most stirring speeches. Her voice cracked with emotion as she declared, “Transitioning kids is not medicine—it’s abuse.” Her words carried the weight of someone who has lived the consequences of this ideology firsthand.

Our side stood firm in evidence and compassion, even as the other side resorted to hostility. At one point, an activist heckled Chloe with horrifying cruelty: “Hahaha, I’m glad they cut off your breasts. I wish I had stomped on them!” Chloe remained unshaken—a testament to her courage in the face of hatred.

The After Party

After the rally, we gathered at a local restaurant to debrief and connect. Sitting among people who truly understand the stakes was rejuvenating.

One of the most powerful moments came when a father of a trans-identified child approached Jamie Reed, one of the leading whistleblowers in this fight. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged Jamie and thanked her for everything she has done. Jamie’s response was compassionate and hopeful. “We need those people over there who simply haven’t found the pathway back home.” Her words reminded me that our fight is as much about healing as it is about accountability.

While we reflected on the day, I spoke with Margot Heffernan, Vice President of WoLF, who summed it up beautifully: “We made history today.” And we had.

The High Price of Speaking Out

The trip was a whirlwind but afforded a moment of connection between advocates who have risked so much to protect kids.

Whistleblowers like Jamie Reed and Sara Stockton have lost their careers speaking out against the medical industry’s reckless embrace of gender ideology. Jamie, in particular, has faced ongoing attacks. She’s been labeled a Republican plant and has been relentlessly targeted by the trans activism cancel culture machine. 

Detransitioners, like Chloe Cole, Laura Becker, and Prisha Mosley who bear physical and emotional scars from their medical transitions now face the cruel irony of having to pay for detransition care out of pocket, while insurance willingly covered the interventions that harmed them. Their courage in speaking out against an industry that profits from their pain is nothing short of heroic.

Building Community

This trip wasn’t just about advocacy—it was about connection. I reconnected with MaryCate Delvey, one of the funniest and sharpest voices in the gender-critical movement, and finally met Lisa Selin Davis, whose Substack has been a beacon of clarity on this issue.

Seeing Ben Appell, Communications Director of the Courage Coalition, on the front page of The New York Times holding a sign that read STOP TRANSING GAY KIDS felt like a breakthrough moment. Lisa, who has worked tirelessly to get mainstream outlets to cover this story, was deeply gratified.

At one point, Jamie’s rally speech came back to me: “We are women who love women and men who love men, and just know we have lost everything—every single legacy organization that was ever created to support and fight for us, so we all need each other now more than ever.”

Those words capture the heart of this movement. We’ve lost so much, but we’ve gained a community committed to truth and justice.

The Fight Ahead

At the after party, Jamie premiered the second in a series of videos the Courage Coalition’s producing about what’s happening to children. The first was addressed to liberals and progressives. This one spoke directly to gays and lesbians, many of whom still believe trans issues are just an extension of the gay rights movement.

The video was clear, compassionate, and eye-opening. Watching it, I felt a deep sense of hope. Perhaps if we’d had something like this two years ago, I might not have lost so many friends to this ideology.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

The Skrmetti case is about more than a legal ruling. It’s about stopping what Chloe Cole so accurately describes as “an ideology of lies.”

Our movement’s message—Stop transing gay kids!—is gaining traction. It resonates with people who see the medicalization of minors for what it is: a modern form of gay conversion therapy that preys on vulnerable children, especially those who are autistic, or gender-nonconforming.

As I write this during my layover, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. This trip may have been over in the blink of an eye, but its impact will last a lifetime. Our time in DC was like Bandit's run—fast, focused, and fearless. This layover is just a pit stop, but the race for our children's future is far from over.

A Call to Action

If this fight resonates with you, join us. Support organizations like The Courage Coalition and others who are speaking out for kids. Share the message in your communities.

Protecting children isn’t just an advocacy issue—it’s a moral responsibility. Together, we can stop this madness. One day, we’ll look back and say: We were there, and we made a difference.