The Countdowns
by Jamie Reed
The Countdown
Today is the big day. The school buses have already made their practice trip through the area. The five year old watched in awe. Four of our five children will be officially starting school this year.
Today is the big day. I am scheduled to testify today. The court proceedings started on Friday.
I will miss the school bus pick-up today. We always take pictures at the front door on the first day of school. The kids always look so fresh and ready, new clothes, new backpacks.
It’s not a small price to pay, missing the bus pick-up on the first day of school. But I have to see this through. I do not know what the finish line looks like, and I am not sure I will know when I have arrived, but I must keep going.
The Law
Currently there are 21 states that have passed laws restricting medical interventions in minors to modify sex characteristics. Missouri’s attorney general issued regulations along the same lines that were slated to go into effect on August 28, 2023. This Missouri law is slightly different: it’s a moratorium — a temporary prohibition — that sunsets in four years and contains a grandfather clause for minors already receiving the interventions.
These regulations were challenged in court by three families represented by the ACLU of Missouri. CNN covered the lawsuit here. Several other states have filed an amicus brief in support of Missouri.
Every state that has passed legislation like this has had the law challenged in court. In every state there are individuals like me counting down and preparing to testify. Perhaps this is the great American way — we litigate, we present evidence, we plead our case and we wait.
Today will not be the final stop. Many anticipate these laws will end up being decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Today might not be the final stop, but I hope I will be ready.
Please send your submissions to LGBTcouragecoalition@gmail.com
Remember that there is an army of us that wish we could be standing alongside you. It's only a matter of time before this massive scandal falls apart under the weight of all of the damage it has wrought. Some day, your kids will understand and be proud of why you missed their first day of school. Thank you for speaking the truth.
You can do it Jamie! Girls like me need you! You’re not a Transphobe, we just want better medical care for scared and confused kids.