I am so saddened at the message being sent to transgender girls — by not only fellow students, but adults, legislators and of course the entire U.S. administration.

Imagine the agony they go through, first by feeling they’re in the wrong bodies, then the decision to change, then telling family who may or may not be supportive, finally facing mockery and exclusion from society. There is no more important message than tolerance. That applies to bullying as well as discrimination based on race, religion, everyone who is perceived as “other.”

Adults have the responsibility to teach tolerance, a gift to their own children as well as others. Practicing it themselves would be a good start. Learning tolerance and acceptance are more important than medals. But instead, the message is winning vs. empathy toward the kids who need it the most.

Julie Zimmerman
Topsham