In the past few weeks, approximately50 millionK-12 kids across the country started a new school year. In my family, my girls were so excited about new backpacks and making new friends. Last week, I dropped them off and, like every morning, told them I love them and that I hope they have a good day. Just a few hours later, I saw the news: The first school shooting of this school year happened in Georgia, leaving two teachers and two 14-year-olds dead. Related Why is the U.S. more lax on gun laws than on peaceful protests? If students were openly carrying during their campus protests, the NRA would have likely petitioned university officials to stay away. In 2024, there have already beenat least 139 incidentsof gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 42 deaths. It is heartbreaking beyond belief to think of the indescribable grief parents face when their kids dont come home. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today As a mother and a voter, I want to see elected officials who are taking action to keep kids safe. As Kamala Harrissaid in a rallylast week, Weve got to end the epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. Kamala has a track record of leading this fight, including breaking the 30-year logjam on federal gun safety legislation and taking historic executive actions to combat gun trafficking.On the other hand, Trump actually worked during his presidency to make our countrymoreunsafe, by making it easier for people with arrest warrants and criminal records to buy guns. He even halted a proposal to require gun makers and dealers to sell child safety devices in stores where guns are sold.Recently, Trumps campaign and the Republican National Committeeheld a press callto discuss whathesees as therealthreat to American kids: Kamala Harris supposed radical gender ideology. Trumps proposed agenda would mandate that sex assigned at birth is the only legally recognized sex someone can ever have in the United States, and would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. This agenda comes straight from a page on his campaign website that outlines his Plan to Protect Children from Left-Wing Gender Insanity. Nowhere does he include plans to actually make schools safe and protect our children from the real, documented threat they face every daygun violence. Lets be clear Trumps agenda is an attempt to distract the American public.Hes inventing problems that dont exist so that we wont pay attention to the very real problems hes responsible for. And in doing so, hes causing even more damage to trans kids, who simply want to exist as they are.Keeping our kids safe means keeping all kids safe, including from policies that attempt to erase their identity, and deny them the care that keeps them happy and healthy. The American Academy of Pediatrics isclear in its supportfor lifesaving gender-affirming care for trans youth, which is shown to prevent depression and suicidality.I also want to unpack the term radical gender ideology. This is a term weve heard a lot from right-wing, anti-LGBTQ individuals and organizations who believe that being LGBTQ is not actually rooted in who we are, but instead is part of a movement to disrupt American society.Anyone who is LGBTQ or who loves an LGBTQ person will tell you that who we are is not a beliefits a part of us, as much as our eye or hair color. And speaking of disrupting American society Im sad to say that there isnothing more American than gun violence.And so, if being out LGBTQ voters who want our families to be free from violence is a disruption to the norm,then lets disrupt. Every vote is an expression of hope that our country can be better, that our schools can be safer, that our kids deserve more. Im so grateful we have LPAC-endorsed candidates across the country who are dedicated to school safety, and who want to see every LGBTQ person treated with dignity and respect. Together, we can build a world where safety is more than just a dream.Janelle Perez is the Executive Director of LPAC, the only organization in the U.S. working to elect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer women and nonbinary people.