THEN THEY CAME FOR US: ACCESS TO JUSTICE HARM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR TRANSGENDER AND NONBINARY YOUTH

Transgender and nonbinary youth are under legislative and political siege as the latest victims in our nation’s culture wars. They are acutely aware of the hostility towards their existence and best interests, damaging their often already precarious well-being. There is a concerning risk they will associate biased and antagonistic lawmakers with our entire legal system, including legal service providers. Fear of encountering discrimination and bias leads targeted individuals to avoid accessing services.

I fear that means too many among this generation transgender and nonbinary youth may avoid addressing their legal health needs as they age. Consequently, the legal profession must emphatically reassure them that we are not by association biased against them; but instead are committed to access to justice on their behalf. Beginning in law school, we must educate ourselves on gender identity and anti-bias so our offices and courts are safe and inclusive spaces for these youth to address their legal health needs. Together we can help address the legal health of these youth who may face a grim outlook on their overall health and well-being at this time in our nation’s history.