Transgender community fears backlash in the wake of Nashville school shooting
Members of the LGBTQ community are expressing concern in the days following the mass shooting at a private Christina school in Nashville, Tennessee on March 27, 2023.
Audrey Hale, the shooter behind the killings of three students and three adults at The Covenant School, identified as a trans individual, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Soon after police shared more information with the public about the shooter's background and identity, members within the transgender community expressed concern over potentially becoming a target of harassment or worse.
17-year-old Coachella Valley resident Ronja Cloud Tomasko was born a female, but currently identifies as non-binary and used he/him they/them pronouns.
While Ronja said they have a reliable support system and does not necessarily fear for their safety, they still have concerns related to the trans community overall.
"I'm horrified for them. I'm scared for people who you can look at be like 'what is your gender?' I'm going to harass you because you simply look different or present yourself differently," said Ronja.
They said in the past they have experienced bullying from their peers at school, which is part of the reason they are now home schooled.
Thomi Clinton, CEO and founder of the Transgender Health & Wellness Center said more people have recently sought out their mental health services.
“We’re getting all these from all over the country now and unfortunately we only help in Southern California at this time,” said Clinton.
Clinton said they work to connect anyone they can’t help with services in their area. More information is accessible on their website here.
Meanwhile, Ronja said they would like to see lawmakers pass laws that protect the rights of trans people. They would also like to see other types of change.
“I just would like to be seen as like human, because in the end that’s pretty much what they're not treating us as," said Tomaska.
