I am a 28-year-old transgender woman. I grew up in an environment where I felt very unsafe being myself and was closeted for eighteen years.

I was eighteen years old when I embraced who I was, learned the proper terminology and decided how to tell my mother.

My whole life I knew I was a girl but I hated that about myself.

I thought I was a freak, so I hid my identity.

I had no representation in media, except either very large stereotypically flamboyant men in drag, or cisgender women (those who identify as the gender one was assigned at birth based on visible sex organs) acting as trans women whose trans status made them the butt of a joke. I had no real understanding that transition was an option, or even that it was possible.

Thankfully, my situation is no longer the most common. Tons of information is available on HRT (hormone replacement therapy), gender identity, the nuances and expressions thereof, surgeries - if that is what one wishes for - and gender dysphoria. Dysphoria is a word which refers to a general dissatisfaction with one’s circumstances or life. A future piece will deal with this subject, but for now I’ll summarize it here.

Dysphoria is a feeling of unease, horror, or disgust that comes about when one's identity doesn't match up with their body or societal expectations. Body and societal expectations are not categorized the same way in the mind, and they're not the only areas where an individual can feel dysphoric, but body dysphoria and social dysphoria are the easiest to explain.

We know about these now. Information is readily available and children have the option to come out and embrace who they are at much younger ages. It's the responsibility of any parent or guardian to accept what their child says and educate themselves.

Even the most accepting parents may find dealing with trans children confusing. It is important to remember:

Everyone is the foremost authority on their own identity.

The internet can be a wealth of resources or produce a great deal of misinformation. Parents, guardians, and caregivers who are unsure of what to do should reach out to the trans community via social media or other platforms. The vast majority of transgender individuals are happy to help. We have been there and we hate the idea of a child having to go through the hurt we have already survived.

As a transgender person, I ask all parents and guardians to reach out, educate yourselves, and keep fighting for the children.

If you are interested in further training on transgender or other LGBTQ-spectrum issues, join a webinar by visiting: http://www.fosteringrights.org/copy-of-workshops or email info@fosteringrights.org for more ways you can help youth in care.