A doctor at the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center in Boston, Massachusetts received a voicemail from Texas resident Matthew Jordan Lindner. The voicemail contained horrendous threats to the life of said doctor, and the man’s “reasoning” for the threats were all because of the diversity and inclusivity of this doctor’s patients;, which rightfully include trans patients.
This doctor provides a much-needed services to younger trans patients. This is what set Linder off the most, as he claims: “Castrating our children. You’ve woken up enough people. And upset enough of us. And you signed your own ticket,” implying that providing healthcare that is essential and life-changing to younger trans youth is “castrating,” as if the identity of the younger trans youth doesn’t matter, as if it shouldn’t be allowed although the rights have been established and fought for for years.
Matthew began his threats in said voicemail stating: “You suck motherf*****s, you’re all gonna burn. There’s a group of people on their way to handle [victim].” And this isn’t where it ended; he continued to make attempts to reach the doctor even after this initial threat. Being told there’s someone on the way to “handle” you isn’t something I or anyone would take lightly. That is a clear indication of extreme harmful intentions that could have dire consequences.
This doctor is simply doing their job, and has enough love and sense to treat trans patients because they’re no different from any other patient; they’re just a human being in need of healthcare. Jodi Cohen, the lead of the Boston FBI, says: “Imagine the terror of having your life threatened for just doing your job. Matthew Lindner accosted a physician for doing exactly that, and in doing so instilled unnecessary fear in the medical community.” Linder rightfully got three months in prison. Whether harm was done or not, the intent to harm is enough.
