The Hijacking of Childhood: How the Pride Flag Turned Dark

From pride to predation: Defending children against ideological encroachment.

As a gay couple with nearly 16 years of partnership, my long-term partner and I feel compelled to share our perspective on a matter of profound importance. In years past, we proudly displayed the Pride Flag—a symbol of our dedication to LGBT activism and the relief and happiness of our societal acceptance. However, the growing developments over the last few years have led us to reconsider our stance sadly — and we are not alone in the gay and transgender community — many feel the same, and some do not.

Leading to yet another divided community in America.

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LET’S START WITH THE PRIDE FLAG

Originally conceived in 1978 by San Francisco-based artist Gilbert Baker, the rainbow flag has transcended its original intention of hope and unity within the LGBT community and has become a potent divisive symbol that is being used as a tool of indoctrination in the US education system.

In 2019, Manchester Pride made headlines by unveiling a new iteration of the iconic flag as part of its annual celebrations.

This updated version, originating from 2017, introduced black and brown stripes to better acknowledge LGBTQ+ individuals from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. However, this move towards greater inclusivity has sparked debates about the flag's original intent and symbolism, even within the gay and transgender community itself.

THE TALE OF TWO WORLDS

In the wake of the legalization of gay marriage by the Supreme Court in 2015, optimism for greater societal acceptance seemed to permeate the LGBT community.

We had finally arrived.

However, against this backdrop of progress, a troubling reality has emerged, casting a shadow over the once hopeful landscape.

The Pride Flag, once a symbol of unity and resilience, has undergone a transformation amidst recent expansions from LGBT to LGBTQQIP2SAA. What was once seen as a representation of unity is now a symbol of division within the gay/transgender community.

When I see the latest rendition of the Pride Flag, I can’t help but think to myself, “My lord, did we have a vote on changes in the Pride Flag?…. I don’t remember agreeing to all of these letters. Is there a committee I can join that makes these decisions?”

THE INVERSION OF THE PRIDE FLAG

Sadly, all these so-called advancements of the Pride Flag are now overshadowed by a series of concerning developments, each contributing to a growing sense of unease.

One such concern is the proliferation of SOGI-inclusive education programs, which often operate without transparency, leaving parents uninformed and excluded from critical discussions surrounding their children's well-being.

Concurrently, the burgeoning sex reassignment industry, projected to skyrocket from USD 2.90 billion in 2022 to USD 6.26 billion by 2030, has raised eyebrows, prompting questions about the commodification of gender identity.

Nobody talks about this within the US school systems.

Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2022.2150346

I don’t like being a party in such a destructive industry, and if one brings this up, they are deemed homophobic, no matter if they are gay.

Amidst these developments, a subversive ideology has clearly permeated the US school system, imposing gender and sexual narratives onto impressionable young minds.

Which flag would you gravitate towards as a child?

The result? A surge of gender-confused children nationwide, grappling with identity and struggling to navigate a landscape fraught with conflicting messages.

The consequences of these societal shifts are dire, with reports of deepening depression and rising rates of suicide among our youth and young adults. As the fabric of our society continues to evolve, it's imperative that we confront these challenges head-on, reclaiming the promise of protecting children as we should do as adults.

Don’t get me wrong. As I said, I’m a gay woman, and I believe for eons we have had “two spirits,” as they say among the Indigenous Peoples, but that’s not what this is about. I believe” two spirits” terminology has been co-opted by deceptive actors, completely inverting the meaning today — and it’s not to serve our children or our collective future. It’s to serve a highly profitable industry, a, yes, communist agenda. I’ll save that topic for a later date.

UNCHECKED IDEOLOGY

This ideological push in the education system, forcing sexual and gender conversations onto children who should be shielded from such matters, has left us and many others outraged and angered.

             Our duty as adults is to protect childhood, not take advantage of it.

In the past, obtaining testosterone or undergoing top surgery required significant evaluation and consultation. Even for top surgery, 15 years ago, one had to have a “legally required” number of sessions with a therapist who then had to write a recommendation for a sex reassignment surgery to proceed. Now, a child can have top surgery without any mental health evaluation or consent from the parents. Between puberty blockers, irreversible surgeries, and spreading fear through “The suicide myth” as a twisted scare tactic in subverting medical standards, we are in a dismal state as a society.

This once timely and methodical transition process has been streamlined with minimal oversight and little consideration for long-term consequences. In many states today, clients, aka children, only need a 15-minute consultation with a doctor to get testosterone without any further evaluation or their parent’s consent.

Puberty blockers are touted as a "pause button," but the irreversible effects they impose on children's lives are often downplayed or outright ignored. There is no “pause.” It’s actually a type of irreversible eradication of a child’s original gender.

NO ‘UNDOING’ ONCE IT IS DONE

As a 35-year veteran therapist, my partner witnesses firsthand the aftermath of these decisions. Clients come in with deep regret, having undergone irreversible treatments without adequate screening or consideration of alternatives. The toll, both physically and mentally, is profound and heartbreaking— and there is no “undoing” once this is done.

The Pride Flag, once a beacon of hope and solidarity, now reminds us of this troubling reality. It has become synonymous with a system that fails to protect vulnerable individuals while perpetuating irreversible harm to future generations.

For additional backstory, please visit my 2-part Substack interview here:

IF WE DON’T PROTECT CHILDHOOD, WHO WILL?

Amidst the pressing discussions surrounding the transgender push on children, there's a poignant yet often overlooked aspect— the protection of childhood innocence itself.

That innocence is there for a reason, and by exposing children to this transgender ideology, we are stealing them of not only their complete innocence but their childhood as a whole.

Today, we are seeing rampant sexualization of children through various mediums, including online pornography and mainstream and social media. Shockingly, recent revelations have shed light on this phenomenon's subtle yet pervasive nature, extending even to beloved platforms like Disney and children's television networks such as Nickelodeon. The consequences of this early exposure are often irreversible, with young girls navigating the tumultuous terrain of puberty feeling increasingly objectified and uncomfortable in their own bodies by their own peers, ultimately forcing them to feel their only escape is through puberty blockers and sex reassignment surgery.

Most children who believe that they are transgender are just going through a “phase”, the NHS has said, as it warns that doctors should not encourage them to change their names and pronouns.

NHS England has announced plans for tightening controls on the treatment of under 18s questioning their gender, including a ban on prescribing puberty blockers outside of strict clinical trials.

Moreover, the rise of digital technology has exacerbated these challenges, exposing children to a myriad of risks, from online predators to social engineering tactics that fuel depression, addiction, and sexual hang-ups. Parents in tech-savvy regions like Silicon Valley and the Bay Area of California are taking decisive action in response to these alarming trends. Recognizing the inherent dangers of unfettered smartphone access, many opt to replace their children's devices with simpler alternatives like flip phones.

This shift represents a growing realization among parents that the allure of modern technology comes at a steep price—a price too high to pay when it jeopardizes the well-being and innocence of their children. In this quest for safeguarding childhood, the emphasis lies not on the bells and whistles of advanced gadgets but rather on the fundamental need for communication and connection. By prioritizing simplicity over sophistication, these parents are reclaiming agency over their children's digital experiences, fostering an environment where protection and preservation of innocence take precedence.

It's crucial that we address the targeting of children, and push for greater awareness and accountability within our society. Our children deserve better—protection, support, and the opportunity to navigate their identities without undue influence or harm.

Perhaps we should print bumper stickers and buttons with the message “For a Safer Childhood, Flip the Script with Flip Phones” or something similar.

LET CHILDREN BE CHILDREN

Amidst the cacophony of debates surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation, it's imperative not to lose sight of the most vulnerable stakeholders—our children. As we chart a path forward, let us heed the call to safeguard their innocence, ensuring they are shielded from the harmful influences that threaten to rob them of their childhood.

I’m also not necessarily targeting the LGBT ideology. I want all ideologies out of our education system and away from our children.

Let-them-be-children.

Keep it out of the education system. Protect children from any insidious encroachment driven by ulterior motives. Allow them to develop at their own pace, free from external influences. Give them the space to explore their identities organically. If a child expresses a desire to change their gender, let them do so as adults when they can fully comprehend the implications and consequences.

Only then can we reclaim the true essence of the Pride Flag— once a symbol of unity, acceptance, and resilience within the LGBT community.

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