So far I have enjoyed our time at the Iowa State Fair. We have had thousands of conversations with people from across the political spectrum. Most of the conversations have been with people who agree with us, but there have been some with those who do not.
There have been a few conversations I wanted to highlight, and this is one of them. We were asked about the transgender issue. I will not go into the details of the entire conversation, but there was an important aspect of this person’s side of the conversation that isn’t always kept top of mind — or discussed, at all.
And, even though this person and I disagree on the issue we discussed, they were right about this… And I wanted to admit it.
The part I agree with is that we should have compassion, sympathy and empathy for people in the trans community. This person is very much right about that.
I hope people understand that being opposed to the “transgender agenda” doesn’t mean we’re opposed to “transgender people.”
That is a tough line to walk — and it is doubtful we do it perfectly.
Believing that girls’ sports are for girls only, though, doesn’t mean we do not have care or compassion for transgender individuals.
Believing that little kids should not undergo life-altering treatments due to gender confusion doesn’t mean we do not have care or compassion for transgender individuals.
Unfortunately, I understand where someone would draw that conclusion. And I wish that wasn’t the case.
I don’t think in order to have compassion, sympathy and empathy for someone we have to agree with them or their pursuits.
When we address the issue of the transgender agenda, we do so from a position of strong opposition. But we should try to remember that this doesn’t mean we oppose the person in the midst of the struggle.
Compassion, sympathy, empathy — it is important. Very important. We agree on that.
Unfortunately, we may disagree on what compassion, sympathy and empathy look like.
And while those who disagree with our positions on the transgender agenda may not agree with those positions, hopefully, they do understand it is the policies we’re against — not the people caught in the middle of the larger battle.
