I’m a father and grandfather. In 2014, I lost my oldest daughter to an overdose. She was radiant, sensitive, and struggled to belong in a world that made little room for her. Her death shattered our family. I’d do anything to spare another parent such grief. That’s why I’m speaking out.

Right now in Maine, eight bills have been introduced that target transgender children and their families — banning gender-affirming care, restricting support in schools, and even criminalizing help. None of these bills make Maine safer. All of them increase the risk for kids already vulnerable.

According to The Trevor Project, nearly half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide last year. But those with access to gender-affirming care, supportive schools and accepting families had dramatically lower rates of depression, substance misuse and suicidal thoughts.

I know what it’s like to lose a child to despair. These bills only make that outcome more likely for other families.

Even if we don’t fully understand what it means to be transgender, we can still affirm every child’s right to live with dignity. Every major medical association supports gender-affirming care because it saves lives.

Let’s reject these bills. Let’s choose love over fear. Let’s not let more families bury their children.

Peter Bruun
Damariscotta