As the influence of Moms for Liberty – a conservative group opposing LGBTQ-affirming education – grows, more and more queer kids are shedding light on the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals raised by parents associated with the organization.
A Childhood Marked by Depression
Growing up in an evangelical Baptist church while attending a private Christian school, Kane Kliewer, now 28, grappled with the weight of adhering to traditional gender norms. As a trans individual who would go on to use he/they pronouns, Kliewer’s childhood was marked by internal conflict and depression.
Kliewer Attended an Anti-LGBTQ+ School
Kliewer discussed the impact their school had on their mental health. “I think I had my first suicidal ideation maybe at about age eight or nine when I started developing breasts. Those feelings didn’t go away. They stayed until adulthood. The school I went to taught us so many awful things about [LGBTQ+] people,” he said, speaking to The Daily Dot. Amid the pressure, Kliewer found a fleeting escape in dressing as Peter Pan for Halloween.
Escaping the Conservative Bubble
In college, Kliewer began questioning the conservative values instilled in him since childhood. The presence of positive LGBTQ+ representation in the media and his surroundings led him to a new understanding of himself. This self-discovery empowered Kliewer to come out as transgender.
Kliewer Was Subjected to Conversion Therapy
Kliewer’s parents reacted by subjecting them to conversion therapy, a horrifyingly traumatic experience. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so low or dark. I knew I [couldn’t stay there]. I [wouldn’t] survive. For lack of a better way to put it, I [would’ve ended] my life. That was kind of a catalyst for me to leave home,” he said.
Embracing His Trans Identity
Kliewer left and ultimately embraced their trans identity at 25. While he maintains minimal contact with his parents, his recent discovery of his mother’s involvement with Moms for Liberty has widened the chasm between them. While his mother always harbored bigoted views, he didn’t know she was a member of any such group.
Targeting “Woke Indoctrination”
Moms for Liberty, which initially advocated for schools to reopen during the pandemic, has evolved into an influential force targeting what it perceives as “woke indoctrination” in education. The group’s stances and actions have garnered controversy, particularly its opposition to LGBTQ+ content in schools. Critics argue that the group’s beliefs contribute to family fractures and jeopardize the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth, who often rely on schools as safe spaces.
The Critical Need for Empathy and Acceptance
Kliewer’s experience highlights the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals who have parents aligned with groups like Moms for Liberty. This influence of these groups exacerbates existing tensions and fosters an environment of hatred. While Kliewer’s journey toward self-acceptance continues, their story underscores the critical need for empathy, compassion, and acceptance within families and communities.
A Quieter Battleground
The battle over the role of education in shaping young minds is playing out on multiple fronts. While public discourse focuses on school board meetings and policy debates, the personal conflicts occurring within families of LGBTQ+ youth who have parents associated with Moms for Liberty remain a significant, yet quieter, battleground.
The Internet Responded
Kliewer’s story was shared across the internet and everyone had an opinion to share. Discussing Moms for Liberty, a teacher wrote: “This stuff makes me so angry and scared I can’t even describe it. I’m a queer teacher in a state that has bought into a lot of this hate group’s agenda. I want to fight it but it feels really overwhelming right now.”
Moms for Fascism
A fair few online commenters discussed Moms for Liberty’s hypocritical name. “They are working to undermine liberty. What a farce of a name they’ve given themselves,” one person wrote. “Do these moms even know what ‘liberty’ means?” another echoed. “More like ‘Moms for Fascism,’” a third added.
Neurodivergent Kids, Segregation, and Racism
Some online commenters discussed other ways in which the hate group is terrible. “Moms for Liberty are gross all around. I saw one of them advocating for autistic kids and kids with Down Syndrome to be separated from other kids,” one person wrote. “They’re also hella racist and think that teaching kids about our country’s history is bad,” another said.
Traumatizing LGBTQ+ People for Life
People with similar stories shared their thoughts. One individual wrote: “I’m trans and I grew up with parents like that. I’m still in therapy decades later. They traumatized me for life and these people have the audacity to claim that LGBTQ+ education harms children. It’s sickening.”
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