Letter about respect and gratitude…

Letter about respect and gratitude…

To the Editor,

With respect and gratitude I would like to acknowledge Saturn Ludwig’s informative commentary regarding gender-affirming care. Though I personally cannot accept that a person should feel uncomfortable in the body they have been given, it is with much respect and gratitude that I read this commentary because many people, including those I love in my own life, are trying to advocate for understanding of this issue and it is with great courage and patience that these people, such as Saturn Ludewig, thoughtfully and graciously attempt to create productive communication.

I advocate for love and acceptance. I have a pharmacological phobia, I cannot even take Tylenol. I prefer the herbs and natural medicines God provided us so the idea to take medication for a change in gender is hard for me to believe in. I tend to think gender dysphoria is a symptom of a of culture steeped in generational violence and control to which our children have witnessed and been subjected to. I sense youth feel trapped, as if there is only one way to be male or female. I also believe some youth feel unsafe being one gender or another because of the gender-related abuse inherent in our society.

I wonder if the drastic idea to change one’s gender seems the only way to negate this fate. I would propose it is not.

Together, we can stand for equality, for the end of domestic violence, social bullies and cultural pressure to behave according to stereotypes. Together, we can create a safe space for all to express themselves exactly as who they are with the strengths and weaknesses inherent to all of us.

Thank you, Saturn Ludwig, for your beautifully written commentary. Today, I am not in agreement with you, but today, because of your intelligent respectful way of presenting, I do have a better understanding of a perspective different than my own. I have great respect and gratitude for that.

Much regard,

Katherine Holbrook

Houston, Minn.