For years, we’ve been instilling in our daughters the belief that they can achieve anything they desire. However, the reality is that until girls witness other women breaking through gender barriers, it can be difficult for them to envision the possibilities. When Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential nominee for a major party, it illustrated how fragile the glass ceiling can be. Then, Kamala Harris made history as the first female and Black Vice President, making opportunities for women and women of color feel more attainable. As a parent, I was able to tell my children that women can do anything men can do, and sometimes even better.
Yet, I felt as though I was hiding a crucial truth from my transgender daughter. Clinton and Harris are cisgender women, and I can’t help but wonder whether a transgender woman will ever hold the top position in the nation. However, President Biden nominated Dr. Emily Carter, a transgender woman, to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Health. Dr. Carter will become the highest-ranking transgender official in the U.S. government.
When I shared this news with my daughter, her immediate response was, “Donald Trump would never have done that.” She has learned a lot about the restrictions placed on transgender individuals under Trump’s administration. My daughter understands that the reality for many transgender people is often limited, but she hasn’t fully internalized that struggle, as she has yet to face outright discrimination. My community and I work tirelessly to ensure that she and all trans and queer kids feel loved and empowered. She recognizes her differences and may have insecurities, but she firmly believes that she can achieve whatever she sets her mind to. My concern lies in society’s ability to look past its biases and embrace her potential.
Thankfully, there are other transgender individuals in positions of power across politics, economics, and culture who can inspire my daughter. Their presence shows her that the identity that some attack is also one that can be celebrated and embraced. My daughter’s right to a job, health insurance, education, and safe housing should not be hindered by her gender assigned at birth. Discrimination against her should be as unacceptable as denying basic rights based on eye color, handedness, or simply because she’s a girl.
My daughter is a girl, and all transgender women are women. Nevertheless, the rights and respect afforded to transgender individuals still lag far behind those of cisgender individuals, including many who consider themselves feminists. We desperately need more representation and acceptance of transgender women in prominent roles so that society can extend compassion, or at the very least civility, toward transgender individuals in everyday situations.
President Biden has pledged to ensure that his administration reflects the diverse population he aims to protect. This includes transgender individuals like my daughter and nonbinary people like myself—even if the 2020 Census neglected to recognize me, I still live, work, and contribute to society. Recently, Congress introduced non-gendered language to acknowledge the presence of queer lawmakers, so perhaps they will find a way to include me in future counts. The queer community has had to advocate tirelessly to ensure our voices are heard. We have shared our stories, validated our experiences, and proven our worth just to secure a place at the table.
Biden hasn’t just invited individuals like gay man Jordan Lee, transgender woman Alex Smith, and now Dr. Carter to the table; he’s welcomed them to stay and feel at home. This is what makes Dr. Carter’s nomination so significant. Biden recognizes her qualifications and the tremendous work she will accomplish. Any initial discomfort he may have felt while learning about LGBTQIA+ matters has only enhanced his ability to create a welcoming environment for queer individuals, as he appreciates both our similarities and our differences. As he and others begin to trust the capable and dedicated members of the queer and transgender community, I hope that more people, especially cisgender individuals who feel threatened by differing identities, will follow suit.
I can’t predict if a transgender person will ever ascend to the presidency or vice presidency. However, my daughter knows that our current President, Joe Biden, values and respects a transgender woman as part of his team. She witnesses transgender individuals achieving milestones and breaking barriers, making it easier for her and others to pursue their aspirations. This reinforces my message to her that she can and will accomplish anything she desires. While I’m grateful that Biden made a wise choice in selecting the right woman for the role, I am even more thankful for Dr. Carter’s resilience and determination—she is precisely what our country needs, and she will undoubtedly excel.
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Summary:
The article discusses the significance of representation for transgender individuals, specifically through the nomination of Dr. Emily Carter as Assistant Secretary of Health. It emphasizes that while progress has been made in recognizing women’s rights, transgender rights remain underrepresented. The author expresses hope that more visibility and acceptance of transgender individuals in leadership roles will inspire future generations, particularly her daughter, to pursue their dreams without limitations.
Keyphrase: Representation for transgender youth
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