Concern with anti-trans local police

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if this is the right place to get help, but wanted to start somewhere and this seems to be the safest place to learn more about what, if anything, I can do. My teenage child is nonbinary, and so far our family and friends are very supportive.

We live in a small, rural community that is a blend of progressive and conservative. As a community, we’ve had our share of disagreements over the years and like many other areas around the US, have become more divided on many, many things. I recently attended a school board meeting on the topic of masking, and listened to many comments on that during the open comment period. One person seemed familiar, and when I looked him up on social media later, I saw that he was a local police officer (at the county level), and parent to a child in my kid’s grade. And I also immediately saw several posts that I would consider to be transphobic. If he had been a plain old member of the community, I’d brush it off. But he is an officer who is supposed to protect the community – and he clearly sees the trans community as “other” and “deviant”. Normally, I’d think that going to the Sheriff with my concern would be a good next step, however, it is understood that the Sheriff is just as conservative, if not more, and likely would not do anything. And honestly, in a town this small, I do not want our family to be at risk.

Any suggestions on what to do? I appreciate any advice. I want to advocate for my child, and am grateful that their school and group of friends are so supportive. But I worry that if my child were harassed, or my worst fear: attacked – that this officer may not do their best to “protect and serve”.

[Author]

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