What to Do When Your Kid Comes Out as Transgender

01/02/24 • 35 min

Though right-wing talking heads try to manipulate suicide rate statistics, the data proves that the number one cause of self-harm and destructive behavior in the LGBTQ+ community is a lack of family acceptance. Kids who come out as transgender are not confused, are not in a phase, are not following a fad, and are not trying to rebel against their parents. From conversion efforts to more subtle forms of non-affirming communication, there is no question that the damage done can be significant and can often be avoided with a little education and effort. LGBTQ+ kids need and deserve our respect, support, and love.

In this episode, we talk about what to do and say, as well as what not to do and say when your child (or any child) trusts you enough to come out as transgender, at any age. You'll hear about the critical importance of family and community acceptance, statistics that show how destructive the lack of support can be for transgender youth, and how some of the most well-intended questions can cause deep wounds for trans kids.

We also discuss the mistakes Bridget made when Jackie came out and the challenges they faced. We learn ways to support transgender kids, support and respect their privacy, the ways to ensure affirming care for them, and much more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About how Jackie's story began six and a half years ago (3:30)
What statistics teach us about self-harm and destructive behaviors in the LGBTQ+ community (6:00)
Why family acceptance is crucial (11:00)
Being trans is definitely not a phase or a way of being rebellious (17:00)
Jackie shares tips and ideas to grant affirming care for trans kids (24:00)
What do our trans kids really need from us (28:00)

Resources:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

About how Jackie's story began six and a half years ago (3:30)
What statistics teach us about self-harm and destructive behaviors in the LGBTQ+ community (6:00)
Why family acceptance is crucial (11:00)
Being trans is definitely not a phase or a way of being rebellious (17:00)
Jackie shares tips and ideas to grant affirming care for trans kids (24:00)
What do our trans kids really need from us (28:00)

Resources:

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Secret Lives and Tragic Consequences

Content warning: In this episode, we discuss suicide, online harassment, and death threats.

Today we share two unsettling stories with the common themes of living secret lives and doing things that others would be shocked to discover.

You'll hear about the tragic story of Alabama Pastor and Mayor, Fred 'Bubba' Copeland, who, forced to live his life in the closet, used private social media accounts to present himself as a transgender woman and encourage transgender people to come out and go on hormone replacement therapy. After his secret life was exposed by a conservative news website and he was subsequently subjected to relentless online bullying, he took his life. We discuss the complex issues involved in cases like this and the ways that pressure to suppress one’s identity can lead to dire outcomes.

You'll also hear about a story published in the San Francisco Chronicle, in which a financially successful and apparently mentally stable man made several death threats to an operator from a Mental Health Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth in California. The name and address of this man, who lives in San Francisco, have been identified, but he will not likely face any consequences due to his power and wealth.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Pastor Fred 'Bubba' Copeland's tragic story (1:30)
The effects of being forced to live a life in the closet (13:20)
Online harassment shouldn't remain unpunished (16:00)
People who spread hate online and showcase a "normal" life on a different platform (17:00)

Resources Mentioned:

Hotline for California's LGBTQ kids got a death threat.

Connect with Jackie and Bridget:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

20+ U.S. States Ban Transgender Care

In today's episode, we update you on the concerning trend of states banning trans-affirming care for transgender youth and enacting laws and policies that discriminate against them.

As if it weren't an already daunting experience being trans in America, these actions represent a massive blow for trans rights and, unfortunately, force thousands of people to either let go of their hormone treatment or flee their states.

Throughout this episode, you'll hear our thoughts on the damage these administrative decisions will cause to the trans community, the housing problem in blue states, the myths about detransitioners, the division these kinds of decisions promote in our country, and much more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How these new laws and policies affect the trans community (2:00)
The terrible situation these new laws and policies put transgender people in (7:20)
How we are in the process of dividing ourselves into two countries (11:40)
Affirming care saves lives (16:00)

Resources: