Post by Ayla on Mar 8, 2016 12:47:22 GMT 8
I am a mother of a transgender child. My son Nevo came out as a lesbian at the age of 15. It was hardly a surprise, as he'd shown many masculine tendencies from a very young age, which led me to believe he may grow up to identify as a masculine lesbian. However, I never suspected the extent of his anxiety, as he was in fact suffering from gender dysphoria.
When he came out a second time at 17 I was pretty shocked. I didn't really understand his need to identify as male, and the thought of him going through operations and achieving acceptance were more than I could deal with. So I went into denial, hoping that this was just a phase he was going through.
How wrong I was. Not only did this add to his anxiety but my refusal to acknowledge his new chosen name and to use male pronouns caused him added stress.
It was only after speaking to his friends and reading a book on transition for families that it all started to make sense. It's been a long and difficult journey but now I can see my child comfortable in his own skin and he's taught me the fluidity of gender: nothing is as cut and dried as I once believed it was.
Nevo has been involved in some important projects, both before transitioning and after. This includes a role in the Safe Schools Coalition package 'All of Us' which is currently under fire. He is one of six LGBTI people who make up this presentation.
I realise now how fortunate it was that Nevo's school was so accepting and made him feel safe, even before there was a Safe Schools Coalition; and it astounds me that people are actually removing their children from schools who are implementing the use of this package.
I am an educator for the Anti Defamation Commission, part of B'nai Brith, a non profit human rights organisation. I try to incorporate Nevo's story into my work when suitable.
Our program is called Click Against Hate and teaches upper primary and secondary students about the dangers of online hate. We tackle all sorts of issues regarding the Internet, including cyber bullying, defamation and incitement, as well as battling anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and all forms of racism.
I often watch students' reactions to my child's story - both as I verbally tell them and as they watch a short film produced by his friend which illustrates his school's acceptance. Each face seems captivated and I feel pride in knowing that important information is being absorbed by these young people. I certainly don't feel that I am putting ideas into students' heads, which is one of the criticisms of the Safe Schools package.
It is important that all students feel safe at school, regardless of gender, colour, race, size or whatever else people pick on each other for.
If only there was a package like this to present to adults as well.
www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/i-could-have-supported-my-son-better-if-id-understood-transgender-issues-20160307-gncgbu.html
When he came out a second time at 17 I was pretty shocked. I didn't really understand his need to identify as male, and the thought of him going through operations and achieving acceptance were more than I could deal with. So I went into denial, hoping that this was just a phase he was going through.
How wrong I was. Not only did this add to his anxiety but my refusal to acknowledge his new chosen name and to use male pronouns caused him added stress.
It was only after speaking to his friends and reading a book on transition for families that it all started to make sense. It's been a long and difficult journey but now I can see my child comfortable in his own skin and he's taught me the fluidity of gender: nothing is as cut and dried as I once believed it was.
Nevo has been involved in some important projects, both before transitioning and after. This includes a role in the Safe Schools Coalition package 'All of Us' which is currently under fire. He is one of six LGBTI people who make up this presentation.
I realise now how fortunate it was that Nevo's school was so accepting and made him feel safe, even before there was a Safe Schools Coalition; and it astounds me that people are actually removing their children from schools who are implementing the use of this package.
I am an educator for the Anti Defamation Commission, part of B'nai Brith, a non profit human rights organisation. I try to incorporate Nevo's story into my work when suitable.
Our program is called Click Against Hate and teaches upper primary and secondary students about the dangers of online hate. We tackle all sorts of issues regarding the Internet, including cyber bullying, defamation and incitement, as well as battling anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and all forms of racism.
I often watch students' reactions to my child's story - both as I verbally tell them and as they watch a short film produced by his friend which illustrates his school's acceptance. Each face seems captivated and I feel pride in knowing that important information is being absorbed by these young people. I certainly don't feel that I am putting ideas into students' heads, which is one of the criticisms of the Safe Schools package.
It is important that all students feel safe at school, regardless of gender, colour, race, size or whatever else people pick on each other for.
If only there was a package like this to present to adults as well.
www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/i-could-have-supported-my-son-better-if-id-understood-transgender-issues-20160307-gncgbu.html
