Fourteen Years Ago…

I remember the advice given to parents of trans-children, they were told to document everything. Keeping a record of all medical and therapy visits was important because sooner or later they were going to get a visit from DCF or the police because someone will report them for child abuse. They will need to prove that they are following proscribed medical treatment.

The Huffington Post has an article about how society has changed in the last few years,

Transgender Children Today: Shifting the Responsibility for Change Away From Children and Onto Society
By Aidan Key
Posted: 07/21/2014

The first time a parent of a transgender child asked me for advice, I was thrown for a loop. Ten years ago, I couldn't quite fathom the reality that a family would actually seek to support their child. Limited as it was, my perception came from the notion that any of us desiring a gender transition had to pursue that as an adult, and that we do so only as a last resort. If anyone were to support our journey, we should feel deeply grateful.
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In the past, our society has encouraged, pleaded with, threatened and pushed these children to change, to adapt to societal norms of both gender expression and gender identity. A child who said that they were a different gender was simply viewed as being confused and in need of stronger reinforcement of society's gendered roles and expectations. When children did "change," we breathed a sigh of relief at this "success." But we now understand that this child's "success" was -- more often than not -- a deep and painful repression of their innate selves that did not change them. In most cases it only postponed self-realization. The damage to these children's self-esteem and resiliency has had devastating consequences, and the numbers prove it. The occurrence of depression, anxiety, suicidality, homelessness, bullying, and physical or sexual abuse -- to name just a few risk factors -- is astronomically higher than the national average.

If supported, what kind of lives will these children live? Everyone wants to know, and the world is watching. What I know -- and what these brave families know -- is that these children experience significant improvements. When the critical elements of familial and societal support are in place, these children's lives are transformed. Children who were once withdrawn, anxious, and even suicidal are now more outgoing, creating strong friendships, becoming more engaged in extracurricular activities, and improving academically. Parents share their stories of the courage and strength within their child. Many name their child as their hero.

It is amazing to see the changes in kids when they are allowed to be themselves; it is like a fog has cleared. All of sudden they are more alive and they are now taking part in the world around them. Ten years ago they would have been forced back into their birth gender and ten years ago it was harder to identify kids who are trans but now we know what to look for in children who are transgender.

I have known many kids that have transitioned at an early age and I have seen them grow up and it is amazing to see them as adults.

Ten years ago parents would have been investigated if their child transitioned and now they are investigated if they do not.