For transgender people in 2025, freedom is more a dream than a reality

As fireworks fill the sky this Independence Day, many of us will reflect on what it means to be free. In Philadelphia — the birthplace of American liberty — freedom is a word we celebrate with pride. But what does that freedom mean if we’re willing to deny it to some of our fellow Americans?

For millions of transgender people, freedom remains more a dream than a reality. Imagine being told you can’t wear the clothes that reflect who you are, use your chosen name, or get basic medical care — simply because of your identity. That’s the daily experience for many transgender Americans, including some right here in Pennsylvania.

» READ MORE: What’s in a name? For our trans and nonbinary neighbors, everything. | Opinion

Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, transgender rights have faced a wave of rollbacks. In his inaugural address, he declared, “There are only two genders — male and female,” erasing the existence of millions. His administration has followed that rhetoric with policy, banning gender-affirming care, restricting public expression, and making it harder for trans people to live safely and freely.

Let’s be clear: This is not a theoretical debate. Trans people are not an ideology — they are your neighbors. Your coworkers. Your classmates. And like all of us, they are guaranteed equal protection under the law by the 14th Amendment.

Yet, many elected officials — on both sides of the aisle — have remained quiet.

Too often, trans people are treated as politically expendable, sacrificed for strategy or optics. But silence is not neutral. It’s a message that says, “Your rights aren’t worth defending.” And that message is felt deeply by those who are already vulnerable.

Philadelphia is a city that prides itself on being inclusive, but even here, trans people face barriers to healthcare, housing, employment, and safety. Across the state, some school boards have banned students from competing in sports, using names or pronouns, or accessing books that reflect their identities. Some lawmakers have tried to criminalize parents who support their transgender children.

This is not freedom — it’s government overreach in the most personal parts of people’s lives.

Much of the fear around trans people is manufactured. We hear about restrooms and sports as if those are the real issues. But the data tells a different story. Trans athletes in the NCAA make up just 0.002% of participants. Trans people are far more likely to be harassed in public bathrooms than to pose any threat. And gender-affirming care is not “radical” or experimental — it includes the same medications used to treat menopause, prostate cancer, and other conditions.

I think about this often as a cisgender woman who has received hormone-related care. I’ve had laser hair removal for midlife changes, and been offered estrogen blockers due to cancer risk. I had the right to weigh the risks and make a decision with my doctor. No one questioned that. Yet, when a trans person seeks similar care, it becomes a national controversy. Why?

Science tells us that gender is more complex than chromosomes. About 1.7% of people are born with intersex traits — biologically occurring genetic variations. That’s more than five million Americans who don’t fit neatly into “male” or “female.” Rigid policies erase their existence, too.

This isn’t just about trans people. It’s about whether we let fear dictate whose rights matter. It’s about whether we really believe in liberty and justice for all — or just for some.

Philadelphia gave birth to the idea of American freedom. This Independence Day, let’s live up to it.

You don’t have to fully understand what it means to be transgender; you just have to believe that every person deserves the right to live in peace, with dignity, and without fear.

That’s not political. That’s patriotic.

Carolyn Steinhofer is a human rights advocate, a mother, an artist, and a writer dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and promoting social justice.