A speech is gaining attention across the state of Utah. A young trans girl named Allison tells her story with her supportive father standing just behind her.
She is so brave. My heart is broken that our children are having to go through this. A young girl "coming in peace" to a board of adults to ask that she have a right to exist. While I’m thankful that there are strong, brave girls like Allison to stand up to scary School boards, many of our trans children are much to anxious to ever do something like this. They spend their days at school, dehydrated, not drinking water because it’s not safe for them to use the restroom. That this burden is put on our children is unacceptable.
My heart goes out to them. There’s a great opportunity here for us to grow-up a bit. I admire her thoughtfulness and her father for addressing the parental projection that can happen when we let our fears of sexuality and/or gender identification become placed on the shoulders of our kids. That is really the abuse that’s happening.
I wish there was a way to let Alison and her family know that we appreciate and support them. I'm quite sure this has drawn far more attention than they had anticipated. Alison, if you ever read this, know that all of that attention is because YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE YOUNG WOMAN. You have earned the respect of all these people by simply sharing your truth. And lastly, it's pretty clear you have an amazing family.
Rob Suvulka and Utah State Board of Education board member Natalie Cline are by far the biggest threats to children in that room.
Suvulka describes himself as a Christian apologist, missionary, thinker. He is president of "Courageous Christians United."
Nothing courageous about this coward. Alison's dad was spot on when he said that it seems like the only kids with concerns about Alison are the kids with parents that are making this an issue. Kids often learn who to hate and how to hate from their parents.
Cline has a long history of making derogatory remarks about trans people during and outside of Utah State Board of Education meetings.
Both Suvulka and Cline have children in South Jordan School District.
When a young girl can so eloquently put into words to bring tears it is inspiring and motivates me. If only all children could experience the love that father shows his daughter. Thank you Erin for sharing this beautiful post.
Nothing makes me more FURIOUS than having to watch a small CHILD beg for the right to exist in front of grown adults. This is so fu*king WRONG on every level! Should we make Autistic kids do this? Beg for their right to exist? There are literally zero studies that can prove how/why people are autistic, but somehow that is perfectly fine and parents get support from everyone all over the place. A transgender kid has to fight for themselves; and adults are VILE and talking absurd GROSS things right in front of them. You can’t tell me that this isn’t cutting scars DEEP into their hearts. Scars that will never heal 🤬. I hate these people.
She is so brave. I love that kids like her can stand up and say what we have been saying, but it sounds so much more convincing from a child. I remember watching my daughter growing up and this made me sad for her because her father did not accept who she is. He and I are now divorced and my adult daughter, who is also disabled and still needs help, no longer wants anything to do with him. She is happy now, and I love seeing the woman she is becoming.
She is so brave. My heart is broken that our children are having to go through this. A young girl "coming in peace" to a board of adults to ask that she have a right to exist. While I’m thankful that there are strong, brave girls like Allison to stand up to scary School boards, many of our trans children are much to anxious to ever do something like this. They spend their days at school, dehydrated, not drinking water because it’s not safe for them to use the restroom. That this burden is put on our children is unacceptable.
The Utah dad and his sweet daughter is a beautiful moment, a brave testimony.
It's a shame when children have to do the job of showing maturity and humility in order to garner human empathy from adults.
My heart goes out to them. There’s a great opportunity here for us to grow-up a bit. I admire her thoughtfulness and her father for addressing the parental projection that can happen when we let our fears of sexuality and/or gender identification become placed on the shoulders of our kids. That is really the abuse that’s happening.
Here is a story about Alison and her family in the days leading up to and after the school board meeting.
https://www.kuer.org/education/2023-10-02/meet-the-transgender-11-year-old-at-the-center-of-a-debate-in-the-jordan-school-district
I wish there was a way to let Alison and her family know that we appreciate and support them. I'm quite sure this has drawn far more attention than they had anticipated. Alison, if you ever read this, know that all of that attention is because YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE YOUNG WOMAN. You have earned the respect of all these people by simply sharing your truth. And lastly, it's pretty clear you have an amazing family.
Rob Suvulka and Utah State Board of Education board member Natalie Cline are by far the biggest threats to children in that room.
Suvulka describes himself as a Christian apologist, missionary, thinker. He is president of "Courageous Christians United."
Nothing courageous about this coward. Alison's dad was spot on when he said that it seems like the only kids with concerns about Alison are the kids with parents that are making this an issue. Kids often learn who to hate and how to hate from their parents.
Cline has a long history of making derogatory remarks about trans people during and outside of Utah State Board of Education meetings.
Both Suvulka and Cline have children in South Jordan School District.
When a young girl can so eloquently put into words to bring tears it is inspiring and motivates me. If only all children could experience the love that father shows his daughter. Thank you Erin for sharing this beautiful post.
What a brave little girl. My heart goes out to them and to all of our trans kids.
Amazing girl, amazing family. I'm so sorry they have to go through this.
Nothing makes me more FURIOUS than having to watch a small CHILD beg for the right to exist in front of grown adults. This is so fu*king WRONG on every level! Should we make Autistic kids do this? Beg for their right to exist? There are literally zero studies that can prove how/why people are autistic, but somehow that is perfectly fine and parents get support from everyone all over the place. A transgender kid has to fight for themselves; and adults are VILE and talking absurd GROSS things right in front of them. You can’t tell me that this isn’t cutting scars DEEP into their hearts. Scars that will never heal 🤬. I hate these people.
Beautiful little girl.
She reminds me so much of my daughter. 🧡
Shared on all my social media. I'm so impressed with and touched by this sweet, wise girl.
She is so brave. I love that kids like her can stand up and say what we have been saying, but it sounds so much more convincing from a child. I remember watching my daughter growing up and this made me sad for her because her father did not accept who she is. He and I are now divorced and my adult daughter, who is also disabled and still needs help, no longer wants anything to do with him. She is happy now, and I love seeing the woman she is becoming.
I hope this had some effect and didn't land on deaf ears.
I was just as impressed with the young girl’s father.