If you’re listening to this podcast, I’m guessing that you love someone who is transgender - probably your child.

And many of you might not have known during the last election, that you were parenting a transgender kid. Or maybe in the last election, the stakes didn’t seem so high.

This year, in case you didn’t have a reason to get to show up and vote, I want to make sure you know that your child needs you to vote - for them. Their rights literally depend on it.

Every year, in every state there are pieces of legislation that are aimed specifically at limiting, or reducing the rights of transgender people. So I want you to think about the world your child needs you to help create so that they can live the healthy, content life you’ve always wanted for them.

That world requires them to be able to go to the bathroom in schools and have a learning environment safe for them so that their brain will allow them to learn.

That world requires them to be able to love openly, unashamed, and free.

That world requires them to be able to marry.

That world requires them to be able to walk down the street without being harassed.

That world requires that they can’t be fired based on their gender or sexuality.

That world requires them to have the same rights and protections as cisgender people.

And yes - I think that this year, that matters more than taxes, and pretty much anything else that could affect your child’s wellbeing in the future.

Your kid can’t vote yet and they need you to use your vote to create a community where they can thrive.

I hope it would be abundantly clear who on your ballot is going to work to do that. If it isn’t, I’m sure every candidate has an office full of people ready and willing to talk to you about how they plan to support gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.

The date to vote is November 3rd.