The Trump administration is considering defining gender as biological, determined to genitalia. This proposal would erase all protections for trans people, making sure that the laws do not prohibit discrimination in any setting, including the workplace, housing, schools, and health care. The new definition would remove recognition of 1.4 million Americans who identify themselves, surgically or otherwise, as a gender other than the one they were born into. This takes away the right for someone to have a job, just because they’re not masculine or feminine enough. I interviewed my friend, Daniel, on the matter and he had a lot to say.

Trudy: When did you realize you were transgender?

Daniel: For awhile, I stopped wanting anything to do with gender altogether, I never wanted to really talk about it. All I knew was that I was not female. I finally got it through my own head that I was transgender when I started college.”

Trudy: How did you feel when you saw what Trump was trying to do?

Daniel: I was truly livid. After a very long time of wrestling with my own identity and finally accepting who I am, people in power want to take it away. To erase me and others like me. To pretend we are not here.

Trudy: Do you think we can prevent Trump’s possible decision?

Daniel: I honestly cannot and will not let this happen. We as people can stand together. I will never feel bad about who I am after so many years of self hate. I will not allow myself or the community to be erased. Respect our existence or expect our resistance.

This administration is threatening to take away the right away from people who already had a very hard time with society and acceptance. The simple request to be respected and treated as a equal isn’t as difficult as our president thinks. It is just fundamental human rights.