I used to be very afraid my life would end in violence because I was trans. Imagine my relief when I discovered that the “epidemic” of violence against trans people was entirely fabricated. Then the sense of betrayal that those meant to advocate for me had filled me with fear.

Gender dysphoria is frequently accompanied by anxiety disorders and depression, as it is in my case. Spreading this doom and gloom propaganda has real consequences on the mental health of trans people. These false statistics weigh on us unnecessarily.

Every life lost to violence is a tragedy.

Capitalizing on those tragedies to push an agenda, with no concern for the real world consequences, is irresponsible and dangerous, and disrespectful to the victims of these heinous crimes.

Stop telling trans people they are in danger.

Stop using our lives as a political tool.

If you care about the real threats posed to us and, more often, to women, make the conversation about the income inequality and toxic masculinity that fuels the violence we live in fear of.