When our child came out to us as transgender, our family faced immense challenges. At first, we struggled to fully grasp his experience, and as we wrestled with uncertainty, his mental health declined. We felt lost, overwhelmed by fears and misconceptions that only deepened his pain. But love pushed us to learn. We knew that if we truly wanted to support our son, we had to educate ourselves.

Thanks to the guidance of our pediatrician, we found a gender clinic and its extraordinary team of physicians—an encounter that changed everything. With every conversation, every resource, and every moment of understanding, we became stronger parents. The medical professionals didn’t just help our child—they helped us become the support system he needed. Gender-affirming care became the key to his well-being and to the resilience of our entire family.

Before accessing this care, our child’s struggles intensified. Despite growing up in a loving home, actively engaging in school, faith, charity work, and recreational activities, he was fading before our eyes. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts took hold. We did everything we could—therapy, medication—but nothing created the lasting change we so desperately sought. It wasn’t until he received gender-affirming care that we saw a real, profound transformation. Social transition offered some relief, but comprehensive, professional support allowed him to truly thrive.

Today, we are deeply afraid that this life-saving support is at risk of being taken away—not just from our family, but from countless others like ours. We need everyone to understand this simple truth: without gender-affirming care, we would have lost our son. His suicide attempts would have continued to escalate, and instead of watching him thrive, we would have been forced to bury him.

For those who worry about the side effects of gender-affirming care, we ask—what greater risk is there than a child who never gets the chance to reach adulthood? Those are choices our son and our family are willing to make, because they mean life, hope, and a future. No politician should stand between families and the medical care they need. Personal healthcare decisions belong to families, doctors, and—most importantly—the individuals whose lives are at stake.

We refuse to go back. We refuse to lose our child. And we will not stop fighting for every family to have the same access to life-saving care that saved ours.

Our family stands stronger and more united than ever, inspired by the support of the medical community and the transformative impact of gender-affirming care in our lives.