How can I be supportive of a friend who is transgender?

You don’t necessarily need to know all the terms related to transgender to be supportive; you just need to respect and try to use the ones your friend or loved one prefers. Some people have a word they closely identify with. For example, they might feel like the umbrella term trans describes them best.

What does it mean to be transgender?

As more trans people feel comfortable sharing their stories, their friends and families are growing and changing with them. The word “transgender” describes a gender identity that is different than the one someone is born into. Gender identity is the internal experience that we all have of our maleness or femaleness (or both, or neither).

Why don’t you accept transgender youth where they are?

Transgender youth need love and acceptance and will seek it wherever they can — even if those who accept them are involved in risky or illegal behavior. So why not accept them yourself, where they are? When we show acceptance, we are creating a safe, supportive space for them to avoid those risky behaviors.

How can I Help my Child Transition to the other gender?

If your child definitely wants to eventually transition to the other gender, and their care team agree, then they can choose to suppress puberty with hormone blockers. This is still completely reversible, so if they change their minds, they can stop taking the hormone blockers and puberty will commence as usual.

How can I support my LGBT+ family?

Many family members I’ve worked with have found support through working with their own therapist or connecting with groups such as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and TransYouth Family Allies (TYFA). Connecting with a therapist is a great place to start. 5. Practice Active Allyship

How many times should a trans person change their name?

Your friend or family member might also choose a new name. They might even change it two or three times as they attempt to find a name that feels like a good fit. Using a trans person’s chosen name shows love and respect and is important, even when change feels hard.

How are trans people’s lives changing?

Trans issues have recently become part of the mainstream conversation in the United States, from Caitlyn Jenner’s widely publicized transition to Laverne Cox’s appearance on the cover of Time. As more trans people feel comfortable sharing their stories, their friends and families are growing and changing with them.