If you have a youth in your life who has come out as transgender, you may be feeling mixed emotions, including confusion about the situation. It’s a tender moment in life for all parties, and how you proceed will impact the experience.
It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to be uncertain. However, your support, care, and wisdom are critical for the well-being of your beloved teen. Let’s discuss the steps you can take to be the kind of adult transgender youth need in their life.
Educate Yourself
If you’ve never had any experience with questioning gender identity, there’s a lot you may not be aware of or understand. To best equip yourself for having productive conversations and showing support, the first step you should take is to educate yourself.
Spend some time exploring what transgender identities are, what terminology is used, and what types of specific issues transgender individuals face. This may be a good time to reflect on your own views. What does gender mean to you? What language do you currently use? What biases and assumptions do you need to challenge in your worldview?
Use Their Preferred Pronouns
You never want to assume you know someone’s pronouns without asking, especially based off of their outward appearance. Make sure you ask which pronouns this individual prefers and work to incorporate them.
If their pronouns differ from those you used in the past, it may be difficult to make that change at first. However, the effort you put into this simple gesture can go a long way. Not only does it show acceptance, it shows them you respect them.
Create a Safe Space for Them
Transgender youth face a lot of challenges and hardships compared to the average youth. Creating a safe space for them to be themselves, without any negativity or consequence, can significantly increase their adolescent experience.
Be open to conversation, actively listen to what they tell you, and provide validation whenever possible. Avoid judgmental comments or negative tones. When they feel safe opening up to you, that can make all the difference in the world.
Be an Advocate and Ally
In today’s political climate, there are a lot of mixed feelings out there about transgender individuals. Unfortunately, social media makes many of those opinions very well-known and loudly heard. When you’re a transgender person, your social circle and safe space can start to feel really small.
Another important way you can support them is to be an advocate. When you encounter a negative situation, stand up for their rights and challenge transphobic comments. Show your support on social media, in public spaces, or with other loved ones. When your teen sees you showing public support for the trans community, they will feel safer and more confident when they’re out in the world.
Provide Guidance
A lot of growth and development occurs during youth and adolescence. They will likely feel overwhelmed in general, let alone navigating the mix of emotions and difficulties of being transgender.
You can help provide guidance when needed. Locate local support groups or community options that will give them a more expanded safe space and support system. Direct them towards any online resources that could provide value.
You may also be the middle person between the youth and other family or friends. Encourage those around you to provide support to your teen as well.
Encourage Professional Support
If you notice that they are really struggling to find their place or deal with all the emotions that come with being transgender, encourage them to seek support from a professional with training in this topic.
Through therapy, they can be guided in finding their voice, developing coping strategies for stress, and learning how to challenge any pushback they may receive.
Contact us today to learn more if you need resources and support to navigate this new landscape. For those looking for more support for your transgender youth, you can learn more on our LGBTQ+ page.
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