In the current political landscape, disinformation has emerged as a weapon to strategically influence public opinion and shape legislative agendas. The distinction between misinformation and disinformation lies in intent — misinformation is inaccurate information, whereas disinformation is deliberately crafted falsehoods aimed at misleading.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox comparing gender-affirming genital surgery to genital mutilation is both medically inaccurate and intentionally inflammatory. Words matter. How we use them matters. Our kids are listening. Their peers are listening. We owe it to them, and to transgender people everywhere, to distribute information that is evidence-based and not rooted in discrimination or which denies or refutes everyone’s fundamental right to bodily autonomy.
One tactic often used by those seeking to erase and invalidate transgender people involves creating “scientific uncertainty” through disinformation arguments, which then fuels the push for bans on gender-affirming care. When political leaders deny any link between legislative actions and the well-being of transgender individuals, this overlooks the impact of anti-trans bills, contributing to a broader issue of erasure of transgender people from our communities.
The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ political advocacy organization in the United States, declared a national state of emergency due to an unprecedented spike in anti-LGBTQ legislation, tracking over 400 bills this year alone. Gender diverse teens, like Nex Benedict in Oklahoma, and a cisgender student-athlete in Utah, become targets of violence fueled by hateful rhetoric and discriminatory laws.
Our kids are not political punching bags — and yet we are throwing them in the ring to score political points. This is irresponsible and unacceptable.
The results from a Trevor Project poll in 2023 highlight the direct correlation between anti-trans bills and the mental health of transgender and nonbinary youth. A staggering 86% reported negative impacts on mental health, with 45% experiencing cyberbullying, and almost one-third expressing concerns about seeking medical assistance. Such distressing figures underscore the urgency of addressing the root cause: the deliberate spread of disinformation.
We need to approach disinformation with facts. Citing-evidence based research — including the following — is a great way to do this.
- Access to gender-affirming surgery improves mental health outcomes and decreases suicidal ideation.
- Access to hormones and puberty blockers reduces depression and self-harm. Delayed access can increase risks of depression and suicidality.
- The vast majority of those who transition during their youth remain within their chosen gender.
