Transgender people are not terrorists. It seems crazy that I even need to make this statement. On August 26, the Department of Health and Human Services, under the direction of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released a report entitled “Where the Clinic Meets the Movement: Does Gender Ideology Arm Left-Wing Authoritarian Psychology?” The results of this study were already predetermined. The research was commissioned to conclude that gender ideology beliefs (of transgender persons and those who support them) result in a left wing authoritarianism—an aggression toward perceived oppressors and hostility toward conventional social norms (including norms about sex and family)—with transgender people more likely to commit and justify political violence.The study involved 1,208 sample participants, of which only 1.1% identified as transgender or gender non-conforming–totaling just 13 people.
The Williams Institute of the U.C.L.A. School of Law estimates that 2.14 million persons age 18 or over (0.8% of the U.S. adult population) identify as transgender, and 724,000 transgender people are between 13 and 17 years of age, representing 3.3% of the youth population.
It seems incredible to me that in a study designed to conclude that transgender and gender non-conforming people are inclined to domestic terror, only 13 adults of the entire 2.14 million U.S based transgender adult population (0.000006 %) were surveyed. No indication was provided at all if the other 1,195 study participants had even met or knew a transgender person.
The study further suggests that medical organizations that are supportive of transgender people, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, provide guidance that encodes ideology, not medicine and activism and not clinical science.
The report cites the murder of Charlie Kirk, attempts to kill Donald Trump, arson of ICE buildings, property damage of the wealthy and violence against police as examples to help justify its findings.
Placing blame on marginalized populations is not new; authoritarian leaders have blamed “other people” for societies problems throughout history.
Thus continues this administration’s demonization of the transgender and non-binary community, a statistically small group of people who desire only to live their lives, contribute to society, love their families and practice their faith. This is not to mention the families who, along with their doctors, want to make the best decisions for their children without interference from politicians or government.
Absent knowledge, understanding or compassion to the contrary, some will unfortunately accept such a contrived report. Other government leaders, like the secretary of defense continue to use insults and slurs. A number of states have jumped on the bandwagon, placing restrictions on transgender health care. Kansas is trying to legislate our erasure.
Our country continues to wage a war no one wants. People are arrested, separated from families and deported, many with immigration in process or who were welcomed here years ago under Temporary Protected Status. Other issues of inflation, tariffs, global warming, health care and crime continue to affect all of us. Yet when the president is questioned or challenged on a serious issue, “Transgender for Everybody” is the latest answer.
Placing blame on marginalized populations is not new; authoritarian leaders have blamed “other people” for societies problems throughout history. Whether it’s been Haitians in Columbus, Somalis in Minneapolis or past political opponents, this administration continues to blame others, targeting small groups of persons who are easy to attack to rally its base using exaggeration, mistruths and outright lies.
Now, “Transgender for Everybody” has become the (fallback) political “squirrel” used to distract attention from the issues and crises in our country. As of January 2026, GLAAD had documented 50 occasions when the President used the phrase “transgender for everyone” or “transgender for everybody” in situations irrelevant to the subject at hand.
Meanwhile, Daniel P. Horan, in a recent NCR article, wrote about a misguided trend to move away from so-called “woke” cultural positions, like support for LGBTQ positions and especially for transgender persons, by sacrificing these positions and issues in exchange for potential political success, regardless of personal or religious feelings.
The transgender writer Maxwell Kuzma, in his substack, likewise wrote about the NCR writer Michael Sean Winters’s suggestion that “it’s time to stop the cultural nonsense,” implying that trans people accept less, to better advance other politically accepted policies. Who else shall we sacrifice?
Even the potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2028 Gavin Newsom has backed off his support of transgender athletes in an effort to broaden his presidential appeal.
How has caring for the sick, the poor, the homeless, the underprivileged, the marginalized, everything that Jesus did here on earth, become “woke”?
Pope Francis did not sacrifice his support of the LGBTQ community out of political or religious expediency. Pope Francis viewed gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics as the image and likeness of God, met with us and treated us with our God-given dignity. Pope Leo has continued this legacy.
Pope Francis viewed gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics as the image and likeness of God, met with us and treated us with our God-given dignity.
NCR recently observed August as Transgender History month by highlighting a number of Catholic gender non-conforming saints, including St. Onuphrius, St. Wilgefortis, St. Juana de la Cruz, St. Perpetua and of course St. Joan of Arc. The article serves to re-emphasize that transgender and gender non-conforming people have been part of society throughout all time. Even Jesus ministered to eunuchs in his time. Transgender and non-binary persons are not going away.
I again implore church leaders to condemn the inaccurate studies, hurtful language and the potential for harm they continue to create. Catholics, Christians, all people of faith need to say “enough” by making their voices heard.
In spite of this recent report and the continued attacks and slurs, we need to continue to place our trust in the Holy Spirit, asking the Spirit to provide wisdom, guidance and strength to keep us safe as we continue to remain visible, for they will know us by our works.
I find comfort in the words of the beautiful hymn, “The Summons”:
Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around? Through my sight and touch and sound, in you and you in me ?
