Today is National Transgender Children's Day

Okay, you likely read the title for this post and are wondering why I am writing about National Transgender Children's Day, well, because regardless of what you may think about this day, there are children who are transgender children. These children face a significantly more difficult life than non-transgender children. These children are dearly loved by God. These children are people Jesus would absolutely call our "neighbors" and who Jesus wants those who follow Him to love and treat with respect. So, today I'm writing to encourage you to do this and to encourage the children you love to do the same. This should apply to every day, but especially to today - National Transgender Children's Day. Let's learn some facts to help us with this - did you know . . . 

• More transgender people have considered suicide than the general population. This includes transgender children. This is enough of a reason for us to show them love and respect and teach the children we love to do the same. No one - especially children - should be bullied.
• The majority of trans students do not feel safe in school gyms or restrooms.
• Sex assigned at birth and gender identity are two separate things. Sex assigned at birth is typically made based on external genital anatomy, but gender identity is the internal sense of being male, female, or a gender along the spectrum between male and female.
• To be clear, transgender identity is not a mental illness. The “disconnect” transgender people often experience is a persistent and authentic disconnect between the sex assigned to them at birth and their internal sense of who they are. 
• Being transgender or non-binary is not a phase – it is a journey, and trying to dismiss it can be harmful during a time when your child most needs support and validation.
• There is no single source of transgender identity. Biological and genetic factors may play a role before a person is born, but personal experiences, in childhood, adolescence, or beyond, may also contribute to one’s gender identity, or at least to one’s awareness of it and comfort disclosing it.

The facts are this - transgender children (and adults) are transgender because of biological and genetic factors. If they are bullied or excluded they run a huge risk of attempting suicide. God loves everyone and wants us to do the same, so loving those who are transgender is an important thing for us to do and to model this to the children we love so they do the same. You will find more facts about transgender at this link, this link, and this link.

What if a child you love is transgender? Look what the Mayo Clinic says - 

How can I support a transgender child or a child who doesn't conform to assigned sex at birth?

• Listen to your child's feelings about gender identity. Talk to your child and ask questions without judgment. To support your child, you can:
• Allow your child to express gender in public or at family activities. It's important to do this even if it makes you or someone else uncomfortable.
• Give your child access to gender-diverse friends, activities or resources.
• Don't assume your child's gender expression is a form of rebellion or defiance.
• Don't try to shame or punish your child for gender expression.
• Don't allow others in your family to belittle or ridicule your child's gender expression.
• Understand experiencing discrimination isn't your child's fault.
• Remember to speak positively about your child. Do this both to your child and to others. 
• Show your approval for your child's gender identity and expression of it. You'll foster a positive sense of self in your child when you allow your child to express preferences. You'll also help keep lines of communication open.

So, lets be people who truly love others - all others - and who model this to the children we love on every day, but especially for transgender children on National Transgender Children's Day.