“We Cannot be Silent” – R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Before the twenty century a rainbow was nothing more than a symbol of hope at the end of a storm. Today, these colors symbolize much more, in fact, they have become the ultimate figure for LGBT pride. Specifically, the movement of transgender’s has become more prevalent than ever. Ever since the Obama administration loosened the legal constraints for the LGBT community people are finding themselves standing up like never before. It is ironic that a culture so obsessed with self-love and positive talk has anything but good things to say about transgender individuals. The big question remains: why should an individual care about something that does not affect them? Whether being transgender is a means for finding one’s true self, in order to live a more meaningful life, or its simple existence in a world of religion calls for a new definition of gender, these differences are shaping the way our culture discusses a topic that was hidden in the dark for way too long.

Military and Gender Identity

Contrary to the way conservatives see gender, there is more than just two sides to a topic of this magnitude. The distinguishing values from both the liberal as well as conservative groups indicate the core of our differences as a society. Traditional views remain as they always have, relentless. In the traitorous winds of controversy Trump takes a step at this issue, specifically in the military. In What the administration’s shifting arguments against transgender military service reveal by Diane Mazur she recognizes the setbacks our country has endured as a whole. Mazur begins with pointing out the odd way that President Trump and his administration address this topic after implementing new policies. Trump begins highlighting the 9,000 transgender individuals who are current active duty members. Then, he pivoted to a smaller number- the 937 transgender service members who have come forward as individuals who intend on transitioning.

A common misconception, not every individual who is transgender intends on transitioning. Doing this, Mazur is utilizing the small numbers given by his administration showcasing the ridiculousness of implementing these laws when there was never a problem in the first place due to such small numbers. With this new policy in place, people’s abilities and attributes to the military are set aside, who they really are is forgotten about.  Mazur notes that “this is a ban on a defining characteristic of transgender people” (Mazur). She is making note that the option to transition is a big part of being transgender and to have that taken away from an individual is a disgrace at its finest.

Faith and Gender Identity

On the other hand, a view so polar opposite to Mazur’s that it seems reliant on its long-time believers and supporters. In a world that fiends off of religion this view is common among our society. Jeff Johnson, in his timely piece Transgenderism- Our Position suggests that transgenderism distorts God’s intentions. On the topic of sexuality, Johnson describes it as something that “is meant to be offered back to Him” (Johnson). Implying that at the end of this life we must return to God just as he left us. This ignores real feelings, suggesting there’s an on and off switch for these individuals. Johnson describes what might be his biggest concern; “This distorts His image and His plan for sexuality, marriage, family, and the just and proper ordering of society” (Johnson). A narrow religious view is prominent and a bias becomes present Being transgender is about coming out and being who you’ve always wanted to be and if one can’t do that than their image of life becomes distorted. Johnson’s argument becomes insulting, by saying implying that someones gender identity is un-proper and un-orderly . Our world is changing, its making strides like never before. Johnson fails to recognize the new era that has begun, an era that is more accepting than ever before.

Acceptance and Gender Identity

Not all conversations of transgenders stem from a group with just an opinion. First hands experience allows for a new perspective, in the sense that it brings forth a side that provides much more than an opinion based on prior beliefs. Laurie Frankel, in From He to She in First Grade, lays out why her and her husband chose to be open and honest about their child’s transition and why it’s important to do so in this society. Frankel values acceptance in her home, “My husband and I were never of the opinion that girls should not wear pants or climb trees or get dirty, or that boys should not have long hair or play with dolls or like pink, so the dress did not cause us undue alarm or worry” (Frankel). This suggests the importance of embracing those who are not like you. Our society is quick to judge but learning to embrace those differences can provide a positive impact for this issue.

Love is a prominent aspect in Frankel’s story when she states, “The question I couldn’t stop asking myself was: Do we love our children best by protecting them at all costs or by supporting them unconditionally?” (Frankel) This exposes a concern among many people, the fear of being different. The hate and cruelty that the LGBT community receives is enough for some to hide from who they truly are. Lastly, Frankel understands the power behind compassion and its ability to make a real difference in this world. Two years later, and her family is choosing to celebrate her daughter’s story instead of hiding it. Arguing the importance of openness and acceptance is something Frankel does tremendously in this short but powerful piece.

Science and Gender Identity

Addressing biological differences and what it means for a transgender individual is of many things we question. The search for the “transgender gene” is on, running the risk of finding it only to pathologize it. With rising questions for an epidemic far too gone, people yearn for an answer and will do anything to find it. In Biology is not destiny by Alex Barasch he argues that the growing desire to find an answer to someone’s gender is impossible. “There’s no such thing as a ‘100 percent male’ man or a ‘100 percent female’ woman – we all have some masculine or feminine traits” (Barasch). Barasch suggests that gender cannot be defined, its name itself struggles to have a meaning and trying to discover what isn’t there is ignorance at its finest. Waiting for an answer has been long and, so far, inconclusive. This piece glaringly omits how much science doesn’t support transgenderism. “If we trust the volume of the frontal cortex over what a person tells us about themselves, we deny them their autonomy and their humanity” (Barasch). Highlighting the idea of respect, Barasch notes that nothing can be done about transgenderism without it. Trying to medically determine someone’s sexual orientation is beyond a limit, as it’s a feeling not only in your brain but in your heart too.

With so many places to fall on a spectrum of opinion, transgenderism has become a highly discussed discourse in today’s society. Finding a common ground seems out of reach, but to even dream of that we must continue to talk about it.

Works Cited

Green, Erica L., et al. “’Transgender’ Could Be Defined Out of Existence Under Trump Administration.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Oct. 2018

Barasch, Alex. “Biology Is Not Destiny.” The Washington Post, 27 June 2018,

“Male and Female: Biology Matters.” Focus on the Family, 13 Aug. 2018,

Frankel, Laurie. “From He to She in First Grade.” “They Say / I Say”: the Moves That Matter in Academic Writing with Readings. W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.