Demonstrators at Trans Youth Rally in Northside Call for Health Autonomy, Visibility

More than 100 people gathered in Northside’s Hoffner Park on March 31 for the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy on Trans Visibility Day. Participants, including trans people and allies, are looking to amplify the truth behind trans identity and healthcare, especially for young people.

“We’re here to show people we’re not some mass shooter,” said event organizer Amanda Mendon. “We’re out here to show people that our trans youth need their healthcare.”

Mendon is a part of T-Talks, an organization started by members of Trans Ohio that holds a once-monthly support meeting at the Sharonville Library. T-Talks is a supportive group for trans individuals and loved ones to discuss trans issues like security, health care, trans dating, family and more.

“People are so misinformed about what they can get, saying it’s surgeries and mutilation, you’re not getting surgery before you’re 18, that doesn’t happen,” Mendon said. “I wish they would take the time to speak to us and find out what it’s like.”

Earlier in March, Rep. Gary Click submitted legislation pushing for Ohio to mark March 12 as "Detrans Awareness Day," which would celebrate detransitioning, or stopping or reversing gender transition. Click also is the sponsor of a bill that would deny gender-affirming care to youth in Ohio and actually would directly and forcibly detransition them.

Pierce Emerson turned out to Hoffner Park to support trans kids. He said visibility is about more than just signs in the park — it’s about recognizing how many trans kids have existed over time.

“Almost every single trans adult has been a trans kid,” he said. “It’s about not having to constantly modify your appearance or behavior to make others comfortable, hiding physical traits about yourself, being trans is a lot of blood sweat and tears.”

Alex Nix started gender-affirming care when he was a minor. After more than six months of therapy, he had to receive approval from multiple medical professionals and both parents before starting hormone therapy. After all the hoops, Nix said the result saved his life at 17 years old.

“It actually improved my mental health so much that I didn’t have to take antidepressants at the time, which is amazing,” Nix said. “It was something that definitely saved my life as a kid because I was struggling.”

Demonstrators marched down Hamilton Avenue chanting “trans rights are human rights!” and “no hate, no fear, trans kids are welcome here!”

While pro-trans rights groups in Cleveland are bracing for counter-protests from neo-nazis The Proud Boys this weekend, only one agitator was in attendance in Northside. When asked if this was a sign that Cincinnati might be a safer place for the queer community, Mendon said Cincinnati is misunderstood.

“I think Cincinnati isn’t as conservative as everyone thinks it is,” she said. “They’re also more willing to listen.”