When I was twelve and first came out to my mother as being transgender, she was supportive and told me that she was indeed bisexual. When I found out that information about my mother I knew that I was in a safe place and was free to open myself up to her; she was my guiding light. Now that I live with my dad it's different, he's less supportive but he doesn't care about what I think about myself. Even though he doesn't care I still find it hard to be myself and see myself as a guy. Fortunately, I was able to have small things that made me feel safe in my skin, like having pride flags around my room and wearing a binder when my dad wasn't home. Talking to my mom helped a lot too, In one of our discussions I suggested talking about starting testosterone. I'd talk to her all the time when I was feeling down or gender dysphoric—having an outlet to talk to and have deep conversations with help. My mother has talked to me and now when I turn 18 in a few days I'll have the ability to go on testosterone. I am happy she was there with me to support me on my journey of being trans, and I hope that I can support others with their journey. I have been more out to my sibling instead of my dad and this led to me having a conversation with my sister one day. She admitted to me that she was a lesbian and that she was too scared to tell my dad and her mom. I told her that it's okay to not be ready yet to talk about these things to the ones who care for them. I then helped them buy a small pride flag to have up in their room so she would feel included and not alone in a house like mine. I told her that whenever she needs to talk I will always be there to talk with her and help her through hard times. Although I'm always there for my sister I still encourage her to talk with our dad eventually. Even though it may be hard to come out to parents, it's important so they know who you are and who you choose to like. I'm proud of my sister for coming out to me, but I'm even more proud of my mother. She supported me so much in my life and I am grateful to have a mother like her around. I hope eventually I can support more people than just my sister, I hope I can be a part of the community more than I am now, and soon I will be when I move back with my mom.

When I was twelve and first came out to my mother as being transgender, she was supportive and told me that she was indeed bisexual. When I found out that information about my mother I knew that I was in a safe place and was free to open myself up to her; she was my guiding light. Now that I live with my dad it's different, he's less supportive but he doesn't care about what I think about myself. Even though he doesn't care I still find it hard to be myself and see myself as a guy. Fortunately, I was able to have small things that made me feel safe in my skin, like having pride flags around my room and wearing a binder when my dad wasn't home. Talking to my mom helped a lot too, In one of our discussions I suggested talking about starting testosterone. I'd talk to her all the time when I was feeling down or gender dysphoric—having an outlet to talk to and have deep conversations with help. My mother has talked to me and now when I turn 18 in a few days I'll have the ability to go on testosterone. I am happy she was there with me to support me on my journey of being trans, and I hope that I can support others with their journey. I have been more out to my sibling instead of my dad and this led to me having a conversation with my sister one day. She admitted to me that she was a lesbian and that she was too scared to tell my dad and her mom. I told her that it's okay to not be ready yet to talk about these things to the ones who care for them. I then helped them buy a small pride flag to have up in their room so she would feel included and not alone in a house like mine. I told her that whenever she needs to talk I will always be there to talk with her and help her through hard times. Although I'm always there for my sister I still encourage her to talk with our dad eventually. Even though it may be hard to come out to parents, it's important so they know who you are and who you choose to like. I'm proud of my sister for coming out to me, but I'm even more proud of my mother. She supported me so much in my life and I am grateful to have a mother like her around. My mother has also supported me with my dreams of being a baker and opening up a cafe or bakery. She has encouraged me to take classes and join clubs that may help me get into a culinary school, she knows that I've been wanting to be a baker all my life. This has pushed me to join FCCLA in their baking and pastry program, getting to learn and compete is something that brings me joy in my life. I have been practicing for so long and it made me realize that baking is something more than just a passion to me. To me, baking is an art and release for when I'm stressed. it helps me express feelings and love to others. When I move back with my mother she is going to have me get a job in baking and help me get into a proper culinary school. I'm grateful for her, even thought we didn't have much growing up shes giving me all she can now.

When I was twelve and first came out to my mother as being transgender, she was supportive and told me that she was indeed bisexual. When I found out that information about my mother I knew that I was in a safe place and was free to open myself up to her; she was my guiding light. Now that I live with my dad it's different, he's less supportive but he doesn't care about what I think about myself. Even though he doesn't care I still find it hard to be myself and see myself as a guy. Fortunately, I was able to have small things that made me feel safe in my skin, like having pride flags around my room and wearing a binder when my dad wasn't home. Talking to my mom helped a lot too, In one of our discussions I suggested talking about starting testosterone. I'd talk to her all the time when I was feeling down or gender dysphoric—having an outlet to talk to and have deep conversations with help. My mother has talked to me and now when I turn 18 in a few days I'll have the ability to go on testosterone. I am happy she was there with me to support me on my journey of being trans, and I hope that I can support others with their journey. I have been more out to my sibling instead of my dad and this led to me having a conversation with my sister one day. She admitted to me that she was a lesbian and that she was too scared to tell my dad and her mom. I told her that it's okay to not be ready yet to talk about these things to the ones who care for them. I then helped them buy a small pride flag to have up in their room so she would feel included and not alone in a house like mine. I told her that whenever she needs to talk I will always be there to talk with her and help her through hard times. Although I'm always there for my sister I still encourage her to talk with our dad eventually. Even though it may be hard to come out to parents, it's important so they know who you are and who you choose to like. I'm proud of my sister for coming out to me, but I'm even more proud of my mother. She supported me so much in my life and I am grateful to have a mother like her around. I hope eventually I can support more people than just my sister, I hope I can be a part of the community more than I am now, and soon I will be when I move back with my mom.