I’m transgender and I’m not going anywhere. Davis will not tolerate violent threats | Opinion

Not going anywhere

“Davis bomb scares: Tempers flare outside as school board holds emergency meeting with police,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 27)

I am transgender. So is my partner. We moved to Davis after some bad experiences in Fresno, precisely because we knew it would be more welcoming.

Now, our new hometown’s tolerant attitudes are being put to the test by a nationwide extremist organization called “Moms for Liberty.” Following tactics honed in Florida and elsewhere, they gather evidence of our librarians and teachers who condone the existence of transgender people. They publicize that evidence to a far-right audience and then subsequently condemn threats of violence (like the ensuing series of bomb threats we’ve seen in Davis) and go right back to vilifying our educators.

This campaign of intimidation stops in Davis. This is not a fair-weather liberal kind of town. We have seen not just our friends and neighbors stand up for what is right, but also our teachers, librarians, politicians, police chief and our local newspaper. I, for one, am not going anywhere.

Coba Weel

Davis

Vote them out

“Transgender fight at Rocklin school district just the start,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 26)

My sincere thanks to Michelle Sutherland for her rational approach to serving on the Rocklin Unified School Board. Her fellow board members seem to have forgotten their mandate, which is to work to improve the education of students. While they have mired themselves in controversial policies and political stances, Sutherland is working to ensure students and teachers have the necessary resources.

But one board member cannot return the school board to reason on her own. It’s up to Rocklin voters to push out board members who have lost their focus and are intent on sowing discord. Voters must step up and bring the focus back to where it belongs: on supporting students and teachers.

Lauren Zdybel

Roseville

Compassion for trans youth

“Rocklin teachers file labor charge over transgender policy,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 22)

As a therapist who has worked with many trans clients, I can tell you that no one frivolously chooses the lifelong risks of physical assaults, contempt and rejection that many trans people are subjected to — in some cases from their own families. Being trans is not a decision; it is neurobiology. The only choice trans people get to make is whether to be true to themselves or hide in a shell of themselves, trapped in a body that feels out of sync with who they are.

Kids who are unsure, questioning or scared need a safe place to figure out who they are. For many kids, that might be a teacher, coach, counselor or librarian. Those who hide behind Christianity to demand the “outing” of trans kids forget that Jesus taught compassion. Only bullies focus their energy on taking away the only safe refuge a vulnerable child or teen may have.

Kathy Campbell, LMFT

Sacramento

Support for water legislation

“Key bills before Gavin Newsom will reveal his next moves,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 20)

Assembly Bill 399 offers common-sense protections for water ratepayers in San Diego County that are already in place for de-annexations from cities. Projecting chaos if the bill is signed is misinformed at best.

The implication that the San Diego County Water Authority hired political consultant Ace Smith to sway the governor on this bill is flatly wrong. It’s been years since we hired Smith, and that work had nothing to do with AB 399.

AB 399 would ensure that more voters in San Diego County get a say in our water issues. That’s the kind of legislation everyone should support.

Tish Berge

San Diego

Hate speech

“El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting targeted by antisemitic hate speech, phone calls,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 27)

I am sick after listening to the recording of this meeting. My father was Jewish. He served in the army during the Korean War and built part of the surveyor that landed on the moon. He had many patents that helped our country’s military and industry. He was a true patriot. So for someone to come into a meeting and say that he wasn’t a “real American” and that he should go back to Israel (where he’s not from) is not just hurtful, it’s chilling.

I’m sorry that the board of supervisors had to hear all that hate.

Dawn Wolfson

Cameron Park