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As for me, this journey has changed me in ways that I am forever grateful for. My husband and I have become the facilitators for our parent support group, and helping new parents find their footing has been the greatest gift I could give, especially considering how much their support helped me. I have also begun volunteering with my local transgender advocacy organization, helping them (along with a fierce group of mothers who just so happen to be incredible educators) create better support training for schools, and teachers as more and more transgender children come out
to their parents and communities.
I feel like gender variance doesn’t have to be this big scary thing. We can help create communities where we embrace these differences and learn from each other. And for those of you who read this and say that an eight-year-old child is too young to know whether they are transgender or not…. well, try telling your child that they are not their gender, and see how quickly they will tell you that you are WRONG. That is what happened to me, and having the knowledge, language, support, and tools to help our son has made all the difference in our lives. I hope in sharing my story with you, I can maybe inspire you to open your hearts. Go out and meet new people, or maybe volunteer at your local youth shelter! The reason I say this is because the one thing I know for sure is that: PROXIMITY CHANGES HEARTS! I am a firm believer in this. I guarantee you that if you spent the weekend with my son and I, any negative misconceptions you might have about transgender youth would change…you would see his humanity, and his heart. You would see his joy for life, and his bravery in every giggle, and smile that crosses his face. As a mother, I know that this is his biggest gift! He changed my life, and I am grateful for all that I’ve learned and look forward to the journey that awaits us. I am no longer afraid for what the future holds for him, because he can handle it…WE can handle it! I also know that through proximity, through sharing our stories, more and more people will begin to understand that trans-rights are human rights, and that transgender people deserve dignity and rights to public and private spaces because they are just like you and me. As I have said before, God made us different to challenge us to look past those differences and see each other’s soul. I challenge you to do that…look past the surface and see their soul! I promise you, it will change your life, just like it did mine!
I am no longer afraid for what the future holds for him, because he can handle it…WE can handle it! I also know that through proximity, through sharing our stories, more and more people will begin to understand that trans-rights are human rights, and that transgender people deserve dignity and rights to public and private spaces because they are just like you and me. As I have said before, God made us different to challenge us to look past those differences and see each other’s soul. I challenge you to do that…look past the surface and see their soul! I promise you, it will change your life, just like it did mine!
"I want to show other parents that supporting your child does not have to be scary or overwhelming, and your child’s happiness is the biggest reward."