Transgender Student Reflects on Ongoing Threats of Violence

Willow Engle shares their personal experience with fear, discrimination, and resilience as a transgender person in America.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:05am

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An extremely blurred, out-of-focus photograph composed of muted blues, grays, and greens, conceptually representing the melancholy and sense of threat faced by transgender individuals.The constant state of fear and threat of violence experienced by the transgender community is captured in this abstracted, atmospheric photograph.Los Angeles Today

In a powerful opinion piece, Willow Engle, a transgender student, reflects on the constant threats of violence and discrimination they have faced throughout their life. Engle discusses how being transgender has made them a target for hate crimes, with transgender people over four times more likely to be victims of violent crime compared to cisgender individuals. Despite the challenges, Engle remains resolute, stating that they transitioned not out of fear, but because it was the best decision for their wellbeing, and that they are determined to outlive the evil they face.

Why it matters

This story sheds light on the harsh realities that transgender individuals continue to face in the United States, including increased risks of violence, legal discrimination, and social stigma. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing need for greater acceptance, protection, and support for the transgender community.

The details

Engle recounts the specific ways in which they have experienced violence and discrimination, from being beaten up and ostracized in middle school for being too feminine, to now facing the threat of being followed by groups of men at night. They also discuss the alarming rise in anti-transgender legislation and policies, such as the Supreme Court rulings and state laws that have made life more dangerous for transgender people.

  • In the past month, the U.S. Supreme Court has handed out two rulings that allow for forced outing and conversion therapy for vulnerable young trans people.
  • Idaho recently passed a bill that would allow for a five-year prison sentence for a transgender person using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.
  • Just yesterday, the Trump administration terminated multiple previously settled civil rights cases for transgender students in higher education.

The players

Willow Engle

A transgender student and opinion columnist for The Collegian, Engle shares their personal experiences with the constant threats of violence and discrimination faced by the transgender community.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation

An organization that has been tracking fatal violence against transgender and gender-nonconforming people in the United States since 2013, documenting 399 cases, though they believe the true numbers are likely much higher.

Toni Morrison

A renowned African-American novelist and civil rights activist, whose quote about the purpose of evil being to survive it has resonated deeply with Engle.

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What they’re saying

“The purpose of evil was to survive it.”

— Toni Morrison, Novelist and civil rights activist

The takeaway

This powerful personal account highlights the ongoing challenges and threats faced by the transgender community, and the resilience and determination required to simply exist and thrive in the face of such adversity. It serves as a call to action for greater acceptance, protection, and support for transgender individuals, who continue to be disproportionately targeted for violence and discrimination.