Stepping up for transgender people
I really don’t understand why transgender people have become such a controversy or target at this time in history. My first understanding of this came when I was right out of college in 1974 and read the book “Conundrum” by Jan (nee James) Morris. The biology around gender is complicated, and transgender people should not be a controversial issue. Anyone with a shred of empathy can realize this with just a little research. Like many other personal issues, it’s none of your business unless it involves someone close to you.
Stanley Young, Fort Collins
Re: “How a campaign to restrict rights mobilized conservatives,” April 16 news story
According to The New York Times article, about “1.3 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States identify as transgender.” Unfortunately, this small minority has become the target of many laws by Republican-led state houses that want to “harness the emotion around gender politics.”
One state legislator who has chosen to take a big stand against these moves is Nebraska Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, a Democrat, who filibustered all bills in the state house for seven weeks to block the passage of LB574, a bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth. She demands her Republican colleagues remove this bill to allow regular business to resume. She says she refuses to see them “legislate hate against children.”
We could all shut down this hate if we just try – more voices like Sen. Cavanaugh might succeed.
Jane Sanford, Englewood
Gun culture, shooting culture
Re: “4 dead, 28 hurt in shooting at party,” April 17 news story
We are the sickest country on earth.
Interesting how Canada figured it out. Plus, Australia, New Zealand, much of Europe and Costa Rica. But we, in the so-called greatest country in the world, can’t get rid of guns.
In Italy it can take up to a year to legally qualify for gun ownership. What the hell is wrong with this country?
We don’t need prayers. We don’t need memorial services nor empty rhetoric from politicians. This gun culture has to end. For you law-abiding gun owners, find another pastime.
Walt Bonora, Erie
I may well be the only staunch Republican conservative who has turned away from the Second Amendment, but it is past time to rid our country of the scourge of guns that are destroying us. Gun enthusiasts cannot justify the daily deaths that result from the manufacture, sale, theft and misuse of weapons. Strengthen and enforce the laws!
Kowtowing to kids with weapons? Don’t even get me started!
Jeanne Slade, Morrison
“Old white men” generalization is unacceptable
Re: “Gun-toting students don’t have rights to attend class,” April 16 letter to the editor
I’d be interested to hear how The Denver Post justifies publishing with impunity a letter rolling into one convenient package, a sweeping generalization bristling with a trifecta of ageism, sexism, and racism (claiming laws will only be sane after voters replace “the old white men”) when a similar statement blaming society’s woes on any other group would rightfully never see the light of day.
Stan Cosstephens, Conifer
Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
