Anti-gender transition demonstration at Massachusetts State House gets counter-protest

A nationwide hot-button issue boiled over on Boston Common Saturday, when opposing sides to youth gender transition shouted at each other in front of the State House.

“People who do trans surgery should go to jail,” protesters could be heard shouting from the common in between group prayers and singing.

Their message was in turn drowned out by those protesting them from the sidewalk above and directly across the street from the State House.

The event appeared to be part of a demonstration at state houses in all 50 states called “Call to the Capitols” organized by a group called “Don’t Mess With Our Kids” and scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. for each of the country’s time zones.

“We will PRAY, FAST & STAND with our families at every state capitol on April 13th. If this is America’s last stand, WE MUST STAND,” the Massachusetts-specific Facebook group wrote on its page. “One day. One Nation. 50 states.”

“The attack on our children has gone too far. Moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, and many more have had enough,” they wrote.

In response, the Boston chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which was at least one group composing the anti-demonstrators, called followers to action on its Instagram page with the message “Support Trans Kids.”

“Christian hate group ‘Don’t Mess With Our Kids’ is holding a rally to deny healthcare for trans kids,” the post stated. “Let’s show the world that Boston supports trans children.”