LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For Scanlon McArdle, caring for his many plants is a perfect reminder of the journey he has been on, from a rare disease diagnosis to gender transition. 

What You Need To Know

  • Scanlon McArdle suffers from a rare genetic disease, which means frequent trips to the doctor and pharmacy 

  • McArdle is also a transgender man who says using hormone therapy has made him feel more fulfilled and comfortable in his body

  • A new law passed by the Kentucky Legislature, Senate Bill 150, makes it harder for minors to access gender transition services. But a district court judge recently blocked part of the law from taking effect

  • McArdle is concerned that the law may result in fewer specialists in the state, making gender transition services more difficult to access for everyone young and older

“I can’t see growth, as I started therapy, as I started my transition, I can’t see growth every single day,” McArdle said. 

But, he says, the visual of the plants growing, reminds him that progress takes patience. 

“It made me realize that healing and transformation takes time. You don’t turn from this, to this guy over here,” he explained as he points out some of the types of plants he cares for. “These only flourish when they’re very content.”

McArdle has experienced a lot of change in his life. And as far as he knows, Mcardle is the only reported case of SMARCA4, a genetic disorder he suffers from.  

In addition, he lost his colon when he was 15 years old and has had 11 organs removed.

His health condition means he makes frequent doctor and pharmacy visits. McArdle says it can be uncomfortable for him to feel safe because of his gender identity. 

On his most recent visit, he said there was no misgendering or using the wrong name. 

“It’s quite nerve racking as always. You never know who you’re going to get or how tolerant they’re going to be or even of that. But that actually went pretty well,” he said. 

Unfortunately, that's not always the situation. McArdle recounts an experience when he was scheduling an appointment for an issue related to his genetic disorder. 

“And the lady said, ‘We don’t treat transgender cases,’ which I never felt more dehumanized. I’m not a case, I’m a person,” McArdle said.  

A new law, Senate Bill 150, which was passed by the Kentucky legislature, limits the ability for transgender minors to receive gender transition services in the state. A federal judge temporarily blocked parts of the law hours before it was set to take effect. At the moment, puberty blockers and hormone therapy are still legal.

That could change, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Kentucky.

McArdle says the law is also a problem for adults seeking the care because it could affect the number of specialists in the state. 

Taking testosterone has allowed McArdle to live a more fulfilled life. 

“I feel like me. I feel real. I felt like for the first time my body didn’t feel like a suit I was wearing. My body felt like I’m a part of it and it’s a part of me and we got to work together,” McArdle said.

He is proud of his identity. 

“I love being trans. I’m not ashamed of it in the slightest. I love it. I feel it fits me and I feel more normal than I’ve felt in my entire life,” he declared. 

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify that McArdle is the only reported case of SMARCA4 as far as he knows, which is not a verifiable fact based on publicly available information. (Aug. 2, 2023)

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