Neutral Zone Statement Affirming Trangender Youth in Sports
The Neutral Zone unequivocally stands with transgender youth. As a youth-driven organization, NZ is here to support teens in our community -- especially those who are most vulnerable or at risk of discrimination. Discrimination based on gender identity or expression is intolerable and damaging to the health and safety of children, families, and our community.
The Michigan legislature recently introduced Senate Bill 218, a harmful and discriminatory bill targeting trans youth by barring them from participating in school sports. This bill is dangerous and detrimental. We are saddened that this bill was introduced by State Senator Lana Theis of the 22nd district which represents parts of Livingston and Washtenaw Counties including Dexter, Chelsea, and parts of Ann Arbor, where many of the youth we serve reside.
Neutral Zone hosts Riot Youth, a supportive space that engages LGBTQIA+ youth. Participation in afterschool programs like Riot Youth, as well as in clubs, builds youth self-efficacy, supports youth to feel that they matter and belong, offers social support, and gives youth opportunities to lead and to create meaningful change in their communities.
Bill 218 represents a misguided attack on some of the most vulnerable youth in our state. Trans students, like cisgender students, vary in terms of athletic ability and it is a myth and mistruth that they somehow have a competitive advantage over cisgender students in school sports. Further, there is not a single example of a cisgender student facing harm by the participation of transgender students in school sports in accordance with their gender identity.
We at the Neutral Zone call upon other organizations and leaders in our community to join us in support of transgender youth and voice opposition to this legislation. Contact your legislators to express your concern about Bill 218. https://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/frmFindaRep.aspx
For youth who want to get more involved through Riot Youth, please contact our Associate Director, Suzie Staley, suzie@neutral-zone.org.
Resources:
ACLU article myths regarding transgender athletes:
https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbt-rights/four-myths-about-trans-athletes-debunked
Opening Doors
Neutral Zone can connect trans youth to local crisis and health support through our partnership with Ozone House and Corner Health. Call Suzie Staley at (734) 214-9995 or email suzie@neutral-zone.org. Or connect with Ozone and Corner directly:
Ozone House - Local support and resources are available any time – day or night. Call (734) 662-2222 or text “Ozone” to (734) 662-2222. Ozone offers free, confidential, and voluntary shelter and support services to homeless youth including runaways and high-risk youth ages 10-20 and their families.
Corner Health Center - Phone: 734.484.3600 - Local center providing judgment-free, affordable health and wellness care and education. Corner offers a full range of health care, mental health, and supportive services for young people 12- to 25-year-olds.
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
The GLBT National Youth Talkline (800) 246-7743
Telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.
Equality Michigan - 313-537-7000
Free, confidential victim services for LGBTQ individuals who have experienced violence, discrimination, and harassment. Or visit www.equalitymi.org/report/ for an online form to report anonymously or to get support from advocates at Equality Michigan.
Ruth Ellis Center, Detroit 313-252-1950 or www.ruthelliscenter.org
Trauma-informed services for lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth, and young adults, with an emphasis on young people of color, experiencing homelessness, involved in the child welfare system, and/or experiencing barriers to health and wellbeing.