Karine Jean-Pierre criticizes bans on trans treatment for minors: 'These are our kids'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized state bans on transgender treatments for children by saying, "These are our kids."

At the GLAAD Media Awards over the weekend, Jean-Pierre, the first open LGBT White House press secretary, told the outlet Jezebel that she has "met a lot of parents of trans kids ... saying how they now have to seriously consider leaving their state to protect their child" because of bans on transgender treatments for minors. 

"That's something that we have to call out and continue to be very clear about. These are kids. These are our kids. They belong to all of us," she also said.

During her speech at the awards, Jean-Pierre gave a message to children identifying as transgender.

"I have something to say to our trans kids. Let me start here. I have an eight-year-old daughter and I'm going to tell you all what I tell her when she's having a hard time. You have one job and one job only. It is to be kind. It is to be a good person and to never let anyone, anyone tell you who you are or who you can be," she said. 

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.