Mother of transgender children says family is leaving US over fears of violence, harassment

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After the US Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care last week, families with transgender children across the country are now concerned about what the ban means for them—and their children’s access to care. 

Leslie Cohen lives in Wilmington and is the mother of two transgender children. 

Her oldest—now 38—was assigned male at birth and identifies as female. Her youngest—now 35—was assigned female at birth and identifies as nonbinary

“I had never heard of nonbinary and I did not react as well as I wish I had,” Cohen recalled.  

Although Cohen didn’t understand initially, she says with time came acceptance.  

Although her kids are now adults—Cohen says they’re increasingly unable to do things like use a public restroom without being confronted or harassed.  

In a few weeks, her family will be moving to Uruguay, a country she says is more accepting of the transgender community—and Cohen is not alone.  

According to a poll from Data for Progress, 43% of transgender people surveyed say they’ve considered leaving the country out of fear, while 8% say they already have moved.  

“People who have access to Canada are going there. Some people are leaving and just travelling for a while and figuring out where to land,” Cohen said. 

Cohen says before her children transitioned as adults, they struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as children.  

“This is lifesaving care for these children; and I know if you don’t know these kids, if you haven’t been in this position, it’s hard to understand it. It’s very easy to say, ‘It’s something the parents did, the parents are doing it to them,’ We don’t want this for our children,” she said. “What we want is for our children to keep breathing.”  

Cohen says she knows what not receiving that care looks like first-hand. 10 years ago, her youngest child saw their friend commit suicide in front of them. 

“Sam was my youngest child’s best friend. Sam was from a conservative family, very much loved, but not supported, and never had access to any sort of gender-affirming care,” she explained. “I wish more than anything that we could sit down right now with Sam and have them tell you what that was like. But we can’t do that because Sam took their own life at age 20.”  

As Cohen prepares to leave the US out of fear, she’s hopeful one day things will be better for families like theirs.  

“Sam lived in a world that was not accepting. Had a family that was not accepting and saw no future for themselves where they could be their genuine self and be accepted and loved,” she said. 

Since the US Supreme Court upheld the Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care, similar bans will remain law 26 other states—including in North Carolina.