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March 29, 2021
*Trigger Warning*
I originally posted this picture in 2019 with the caption “For all the trans kids who have ever been body shamed, “I Love ❤️ You.”
As one can imagine, I was met with lots of questions and some concern. Concern perhaps because I was showing too much “body” as a then recently self-retired pastor. My response and rationale today is the same as it was yesterday.... As I’ve expanded, I’ve learned how to convey, with even greater conviction, my position...
Please, do read on. 😊🙏🏼
✅ The Human Rights Campaign found, “More than half (50%) of #transgender #male teens who participated in the[ir] survey reported attempting suicide in their lifetime, while 29.9 percent of transgender #female teens said they attempted suicide. Among #nonbinary youth, 41.8 percent of respondents stated that they had attempted suicide at some point in their lives.” (HRC, 2018)
✅ Furthermore, in another study, “Overall, 42.3% of the sample (researched) reported a #suicide attempt and 26.3% reported misusing drugs or alcohol to cope with transgender-related discrimination.” (LGBT Health, 2016)
**Note, the national average for 9-12 year olds is just over 11%. So basically a trans youth has 26% higher rate of suicidal attempts. Let that sink in for a moment.**
✅ “Additionally, “High levels of anxiety and depression are common among transgender #youths, and studies have found as many as 40% of transgender #adults have ever attempted suicide.” (Jenco, 2020)
Conversley, this same study conducted by Jenco (2020) found, “Transgender teens who were able to receive treatments to suppress puberty were less likely to EVER consider #SUICIDE, researchers found.”
✅ Family rejection, bullying, and #genderdysphoria all can both individually or collectively contribute to suicide ideation (suicidal thoughts) amongs transgender individuals and especially transgender youth.
💫 As we approach #TransDayofVisibility (TDOV) I would like to encourage everyone to tell a child you love them. Doesn’t matter if you know them or not....
Doesn’t matter if you know their gender or sexual identity or not...
💫 Just take a moment to say, “I Love You.” And if you DO know their gender identity (and it may differ from diminishing societal norms), please take a moment, I the most nonjudgmental way, and give or send some #happiness, #positivity, #love and #light. You never know, it just might save their life. Literally. 💯
💫 The #EqualityAct is so more than policy. It’s life changing legislation that helps with granting access to basic Human Rights for ALL people. 💯
❤️ I share this picture for every trans child and trans adult for that matter who has ever been body shamed or bullied for living their authentic life. For every parent of our trans and non-binary siblings. Know this:
🏳️⚧️ I stand with you.
❤️ I stand for you. 🙏🏼
🏳️⚧️ And, I really do Love ❤️ You. God does too! No matter what you’ve been told or what you tell yourself, YOU are #Love ❤️ . And, You are #Light 💫. 😊 👌🏼 🏳️🌈
~Dr. Elijah Nicholas 😊❤️💫 ☮️ 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
#TransISBeautiful #OurChildrenAreBeautiful #OurBodyIsBeautiful #WeAreLoveInAction #LoveThem #LoveUs #LoveYou