Trans activists on why Trump’s bathroom decision could hurt so many kids

In response to Donald Trump's decision to roll back guidance for public schools on transgender students and restrooms, members of the trans community and those impacted have begun sharing emotional personal accounts of harassment.

On Thursday, prominent voices in the LGBTQ community -- writer Janet Mock, teen activist Jazz Jennings and comedian Rhea Butcher -- set out to raise awareness of the importance of trans protection by sharing their powerful bathroom-related anecdotes on social media after Trump rescinded the Obama-era rule allowing transgender students to use the restroom that matches their gender identity.

A plea for equal access

As a trans woman who began her transition in middle school, Mock experienced the struggles faced by trans students first hand.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, she shared an intimate letter entitled, "For Trans Students Everywhere," in which she described her own transition process and offered words of support and understanding to members of the community.

"I had issues with bathrooms and locker room access. I was sent home repeatedly due to 'dress code violations,'" Mock admitted. "I was repeatedly called out of my name and misgendered daily by classmates and staff." In touching upon the emotional struggles she faced in school because of discrimination, Mock reminded trans students today that they're not alone.

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"To young trans folk (and all the people who love them) I just want you to remember that this is your school too. You deserve to be there just as much as any other student," Mock wrote. "You deserve equal access, affirmation and an education, and you must recognize and I know you know, that you are powerful. You have agency and voice. Use it to organize, combat against ignorance and resist."

'Stay strong'

On Wednesday afternoon, transgender teen Jazz Jennings -- who recently inspired what's believed to be the world's first doll modeled after a transgender woman -- shared a touching video to Twitter.

Alongside her mother, Jeanette, Jazz shared that she was "deeply affected" by the repeal of Obama’s directive and encouraged members of the community to "stay strong and keep moving forward" in the fight for equality.

"I know that growing up I had it really hard because I wasn’t allowed to use the girl’s restroom," Jennings explained. "I faced discrimination at such an early age and I didn’t understand why I was being treated differently."

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Jazz's adorably supportive mom also chimed in to offer her daughter and fellow parents of transgender youth a message of understanding.

'It’s about letting people exist'

For comedian Rhea Butcher, who identifies as cisgender and agender/non-binary, the reversal on protections for trans students struck a nerve. "Right now the Department of Justice and the Department of Education is targeting our children," she said in an email.

As someone outside the trans community but within the LGBTQ community, she offered support and personal anecdotes about creating safe spaces in bathrooms no matter where you fall on the gender spectrum.

"I’m just trying to be another voice to help strengthen our community," she said.

In a long Twitter thread she detailed her own harassment experiences in women's restrooms, shared what's helped her cope over the years and encouraged anyone who needs help to reach out.

"This is not just about caring where people pee," she said. "It’s about letting people exist, letting us live."

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Online support for transgender students has popped up in other ways, too, as with the trending hashtag #ProtectTansKids.

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Additional reporting by Sasha Lekach.