I drew this piece in honour of every transgender & gender diverse child. Every child deserves unconditional love, acceptance, support, and protection. In the words of Schuyler Bailar (@pinkmantaray), by rejecting trans kids you’re telling them that a) they cannot trust how they feel, b) they cannot trust you to listen and hear and support them, and c) they cannot trust themselves. If your child comes out to you as transgender and you reject them, you become your child’s “biggest and most impactful bully.”
As the adults in their lives, it is our DUTY to accept them and protect them. To show them unconditional love. You cannot tell children to believe in themselves in one breath, and then tell them that they can’t possibly know who they are in the next. However a child identifies, they are absolutely and completely valid.
41% of trans people have attempted suicide at least once in their lives. Let that sink in. Now imagine a world in which we can turn that around. By actively accepting, supporting, celebrating, and protecting trans people from the moment they come out, no matter their age, you can literally be the difference between life and death for them.
Trans people are 3.5 times less likely to commit suicide if they have familial support. Now let that sink in. Be that familial support. Advocate for trans and gender diverse youth. Love them, support them, protect them, and CELEBRATE THEM because they’re absolutely incredible and they deserve nothing less ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
And to the little mermaid in my life, there aren’t words for how proud I am of you. How proud I am to know you, to love you, to be loved by you, and to advocate for you. You are my hero, little Miss! ❤️🌈
I also want to stress how important it is for straight, cisgender people like me to be active allies to the LGBTQ+ community. If you’re in the same boat as me, there are loads of amazing resources to help you become a better ally. Listen and learn.