Real Life Role Models = Invaluable
I asked my youngest son “What should I write about in my next blog post?” He said, “Me.” I said, “What about you?” He said, “How about how exciting it is to have transgender friends?” So, there you go.
Buddies: There is a transgender kid at my son’s school who is in the middle school. I spoke to the counselor of the middle school, and we arranged for them to be “buddies” - my 8-year-old transgender boy and this 13 (or 14 - I’m not sure) - year-old transgender boy. They have their first hangout next Monday, during lunch. My 8-year-old is beside himself. He is so excited to meet his buddy. What will they talk about? I don’t know. I doubt they’ll talk about being trans for all of lunch, but maybe they will. All that matters to my kid is that his buddy is a trans kid who is older, has been through more, and understands exactly what my son is going through. Because I can be as gender-affirming and supportive as ever, but I’m not trans. I don’t know what it is like to actually be trans. I can look on from the outside, hug my kiddo, listen to him, but when it comes to the experience, he needs and he wants someone who can truly relate to him.
IRL Representation: I’ve written about the importance of representation of minority groups in media, but the importance of representation of minority groups IRL is invaluable. When it comes to trans kids, having a person there - not just a celebrity on TV - makes a huge difference, and in a good way. Celebrities and public personas are great to see and to inspire queer kids, but meeting someone who is going through or has been through what you are experiencing? That is a whole new level of reassurance. Even if the kid says “You know, middle school can be tough,” my son will come home, report that and, as a family, we can talk about it.
My son has been asking for a trans buddy since the beginning of the school year. Now that it’s finally happening, he is counting the days (and planning what he is going to wear). This post was all his idea, so I think that shows how much real life, normal-person representation can mean. He just wants some trans kid to take him under their wing and show him that “Hey, I’m here. It’s cool. You can make it too.”
Dedicated to: My Best Youngest Son
