What is bullying?
If we look at the simple Oxford English Dictionary definition, the word bully is defined as "seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce someone perceived as vulnerable. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services managed website, stopbullying.gov, defines bullying as "unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time." Further, this website states:
"In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:
An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once."

The Anti Bullying Alliance defines bullying as: 
"The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online."

Think about these definitions and their shared key themes: intentional harm, can take multiple forms (not just physical), and requires an imbalance of power, as you continue reading.

Political Bullies
In recent years, there's been a noticeable rise in political attacks against transgender youth, with politicians increasingly using them as a political tool to rally support and stoke fear among their base. Many states in the U.S. have rolled out laws that make it harder for trans kids to get the healthcare they need, play sports, or even use bathrooms that match their gender identity. By framing transgender rights as a controversial issue, these politicians dehumanize trans kids, reducing them to mere talking points rather than recognizing their humanity. This tactic not only marginalizes transgender youth but also puts them at greater risk of discrimination and violence. As these political narratives spread, they fuel negative attitudes and misconceptions, leading to a more hostile environment where trans youth are more likely to face harassment, and even physical attacks. Because of this, trans youth are dealing with more anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of suicide, as they try to cope with a world that feels increasingly hostile to who they are. 

Politicians are engaging in repeated attacks and spreading misinformation to rally the general public against transgender youth, much like schoolyard bullies who target the most vulnerable. They continuously introduce and support restrictive legislation that denies trans kids access to essential healthcare, participation in sports, and the use of appropriate facilities. The rhetoric used by these politicians often includes mocking and belittling transgender identities, echoing the tactics of bullies who demean others to assert power. Right-wing propaganda amplifies these harmful messages, portraying trans youth as threats to societal norms and inciting fear and prejudice among the public. By using their platforms to spread misinformation and rally opposition, these politicians are not just legislating against trans youth—they are bullying them on a grand scale.

Join the campaign to call out these bullies and protect trans kids!