The new president of the United States claims my 18-year-old son is nonexistent.

As a freshman at The Ohio State University, my son is transgender. Some friends know about his identity; others simply see him as just another guy—albeit not particularly tall.

He isn’t a bother to anyone, and it appears that those around him are unconcerned.

Donald Trump, however, is concerned.

He dedicated part of his inaugural speech to state that he recognizes only biological males and females. That same day, he reinforced his stance with executive orders that revoking rights from transgender individuals and diminishing their dignity.

My son’s rights have been taken away, and the public reacts with indifference

As a mother, what shocks me more than this presidential act against a vulnerable group is the public’s apathetic response.

It seems people were more concerned about what the First Lady wore.

I realize that the transgender issue can be perplexing and challenging for many individuals—especially for those who are transgender themselves.

Being transgender during childhood is neither easy nor enjoyable. Their opportunities to participate in school sports are often restricted. Even in the friendliest environments, building friendships can be tough. It’s well-documented that transgender youth face alarmingly high rates of suicide.

Trans individuals are real. No executive order can change that.

The existence of gender dysphoria, which is the distress stemming from a discord between one’s gender identity and biological sex, is widely accepted in the scientific community.

Research from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in 2018 indicated that gender dysphoria is influenced by interactions among various genes, similar to other human traits like height and blood pressure. It affects less than 1% of the population, but for those who do experience it, the struggle is very real.

In the past, efforts were made to “cure” gender dysphoria through conversion therapy, but by the 1970s, it was clear that this approach was ineffective.

The prevailing medical view now is that gender dysphoria should be managed with supportive counseling and medical interventions, allowing many transgender individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

Trump’s promise to safeguard ‘LGBT citizens.’ What has changed?

Until recently, this topic did not dominate national discussions.

In his first campaign, the president notably stated that transgender individuals should be able to use the bathroom that aligns with their identity at Trump Tower.

During his acceptance speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention, Trump pledged to “protect our LGBT citizens” from acts of violence.

The current vice president, JD Vance, maintained a close friendship with a transgender classmate from Yale Law School prior to advancing his political career some years back.

So, what changed? Did they learn something new? Did they become more enlightened?

No, they simply became more intolerant.

Misunderstanding has escalated into hatred

The term “fascism” is often used too lightly, but I genuinely find it hard to describe this situation otherwise.

Returning to my son.

Just hours after his federal rights were rescinded, he was at Ohio Stadium rejoicing in the Buckeyes’ college football championship, cheering and laughing with hundreds of other students who were oblivious to his biological background.

He’s coping well.

I, however, am struggling. Over recent years, I’ve watched confusion surrounding my son and others like him morph into outright hatred. Recently, I saw that hate codified into law with a mere pen stroke.

I know everyone is weary of the political upheaval we’ve experienced over the last decade and longs for relief from the division. Yet, when we choose silence, we inadvertently convey that this is acceptable, paving the way for more concerning actions ahead.

In silence, we all partake in the complicity of this situation.

Jennifer Riley resides in Bexley, Ohio. This piece originally appeared in The Columbus Dispatch.