Space Camp and The X-Men-ification of Trans People

Space Camp and The X-Men-ification of Trans People
The long-running comic has always been an allegory for marginalized groups, but the parallels to the current treatment of trans people by society just keep getting stronger.

PARKER MOLLOY
March 13, 2024

Hey everyone. Parker here.

I came across this story yesterday, and I’ve been frustrated about it ever since. You’ll see why:

https://www.al.com/news/2024/03/alabama-official-calls-for-firing-of-transgender-space-camp-employee-after-parent-speaks-out.html

Alabama official calls for firing of transgender Space Camp employee
after parent speaks out

Several Alabama politicians say they are concerned about children’s safety at Huntsville’s Space Camp after a parent complained about the presence of a transgender employee.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Reps. Dale Strong and Robert Aderholt posted statements on X, formerly known as Twitter, after a parent posted on Facebook complaining about the gender identity of one of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center employees. The topic was also picked up by the Libs of TikTok account.

Clay Yarbrough of Owens Cross Roads, the father of an 11-year-old Huntsville city school student, said he became aware on Thursday evening that a Space Camp crew member is transgender.

His daughter was to attend camp in a week as part of a school exercise, he said.

This should go without saying, but there is nothing wrong with a trans person having a job. And yet that seems to be at the core of the complaint — the mere existence of a trans person at the Space Camp facilities is supposed to be… a fireable offense?

Mr. Yarborough’s accusation sounds absurd, too. He said that he heard that “one little girl had called her parents and said, ‘This guy is in the (dorm) room’ and ‘I don’t feel comfortable.”

Again, even if this second-hand complaint is true, there is nothing scandalous about a trans person having a job that puts them around children. The article notes that all camp staff undergo thorough background checks as a condition of their employment.

Additionally, staff sleep in separate rooms from students and use separate bathroom facilities. We also provide 24-hour onsite security including round-the-clock video surveillance, regular foot and vehicle patrols, and controlled campus and building access,” the center said.

So, it seems more than a bit unlikely that anything at all inappropriate was happening.

And it’s clear from the statements being put out by politicians that, yes, they view the mere presence of a trans person anywhere near a child, even if that is literally their job, as unacceptable. Just look, again, from the AL.com story:

[S]everal members of Alabama’s Congressional delegation spoke out on social media, citing safety concerns but without including specifics.

“I call on the Center to immediately remove this individual and open a safety review to consider the potential harm and damages they have inadvertently caused children,” Strong said in the post. He said putting the “safety and wellbeing (of children) first” is critical.

“It is imperative that Space Camp remains a safe place for children and young people,” Tuberville said. “I urge the Space and Rocket Center to ensure that its reputation as a world-renowned camp remains untarnished by the progressive agenda of today,” Tuberville said.

Aderholt said his “office promptly expressed my concerns directly with Space Camp officials.”

“Parents want to know that when they entrust their children to others...that they will be well looked after and not put into situations that could potentially put them in danger,” Aderholt said.

Rep. Gary Palmer called the situation “unacceptable.”

“When parents send their kids to Space Camp in Alabama, they should be confident they are going to a safe, educational environment,” Palmer said.

As this screenshot, obtained by Evan Urquhart at Assigned Media, shows, Yarbrough’s outrage stemmed from the idea that a trans person (who he refers to as “this freak”) has a job as a team lead at Space Camp and “could be allowed alone in the halls at night.” This is literally just a complaint that a trans person has a job.

[…]