ACLU of Kansas releases transgender video series, claims to target "trans kids"

On Wednesday, July 5, ACLU of Kansas sent out an email, promoting the video.

“Transgender people are facing an unprecedented barrage of attacks, both politically and literally, across the country and here in Kansas,” the email states. “This has been hurtful, scary, and dangerous for trans Kansans and their loved ones across our state.”

It’s important to note that they don’t give examples of the “unprecedented barrage of attacks” that are happening politically or literally, they just state that it’s happening, and we’re supposed to believe it because it’s apparently “hurtful, scary, and dangerous for trans Kansans.” What’s more interesting is that in a podcast episode regarding the new video series, executive director for the ACLU of Kansas Dr. Micah Kubic doesn’t mention anything about trans Kansans getting attacked literally, despite the email’s claim.

“In the face of ongoing, targeted attacks against trans Kansans from our state legislature, D.C. Hiegert, the ACLU of Kansas’ LGBTQ legal fellow created a video series uplifting the joy and lived experiences of a few powerful, authentic trans Kansans who are making the state a better place,” Dr. Kubic said in the podcast.

In Kansas, there have been a series of bills in 2023 that have been voted on regarding transgender people. Most notably was HB 2238, which requires transgender athletes to play sports against those of their biological sex; SB 180, also known as the ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ which provides a legal definition of what a woman is; SB 26, which prohibits gender reassignment services on minors; SB 228, which prohibits transgender inmates access to overnight accommodations that are not consistent with their biological sex; and HB 2138, which prohibits transgender students access to overnight accommodations on school trips with students of the opposite biological sex. All of these bills were vetoed by Democrat Governor Laura Kelly, and only SB 180 and HB 2238 have overridden Kelly’s vetoes.

So, the “unprecedented barrage of attacks” literally in Kansas are nothing of note, apparently, and politically, it would include not transitioning minors, not having male athletes play against female athletes, not letting male inmates in the same overnight accommodations as female inmates, not letting male students in the same overnight accommodations as female students, and having a legal definition of a “woman.”

The video series, according to the email, is meant to target trans Kansans, but “especially trans kids.”

“This series is about showing trans Kansans – especially trans kids in our state – that they are powerful, that they deserve to lead full and joyful lives, and that they are not alone,” the email states.

The intro video starts with different transgender people being asked a similar question.

“When folks find out you’re trans or learn that’s a part of your identity, they kind of boil you down to just being trans and they don’t see all the other parts that make you who you are. Or like they don’t see the wholeness of your identity ‘cause they just sort of see your trans identity. So, I’m just asking folks to think of… like when you think of Jaelynn, …what identities that you want folks to think of when they think of Luc.”

The trans people give different and interesting answers.

Thea said, “I’m an educator at heart, and I’m an artist and a musician. I am a world traveler and a sibling and a child and a partner and I am a kind, loving person.”

Jenna said, “I like to read. I like to think of myself as a writer. That’s like, getting a little ahead of myself, but I enjoy writing a lot. That’s something really important to me.”

Adam said, “I feel like a dad sometimes. I feel fatherly. All my little trans kids out in the world. Every time I see them, I’m like, ‘Oh!’”

Jay said, “When I walk into a room, people don’t see me as a queer person, they don’t see me as a trans person, they see me as a Black person. So, that’s probably, after being a Kansan, the most important identity to me.”

The video, itself, has received two comments at the time of publishing, one supporting the message and one going against the message.