Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash.
(For how i crafted these quotes, see What i changed in survey-takers' responses and What i didn't change.)
General observations
Be patient. "We don't always want to open up right away."
"I'm still young."
"We just want your support more than everything else."
"i am doing my best to be proud of who i am with my current environment."
"Not all queer or trans kids are cookie-cutter outlines of the previous generation."
"There are many ways to be queer and trans and things shift and change and there's no one right way to look or act."
"Im not going to be the same sexuality as them."
"Times have changed. The knowledge we have presently may be a little different than before but it's nothing to reject."
"my identity is in flux. I may not share identical political beliefs to you."
"gender is not a binary and it is extremely annoying to try to explain my gender identity and then be made fun of because it doesn't fit in the established roles they think exist (cis, trans man, or trans woman)."
"I use neopronouns and xenogenders. I am not trying to mock you, I'm not confused. It just helps me put my gender into more comfortable terms that I can understand."
"We are not all the same. Just like members of the community choosing to dislike christians or men or any other group of people. It is not fair for anyone to judge anyone else based off of one trait or way they identify."
"You don't have to relate to me always. Sometimes you don't understand me or my identity or my experiences and that's ok."
Specific examples
Supportive LGBTQA+ adults have helped me meet other queer/trans teens and communicate with doctors about my transition. They've also helped me find clothes and pronoun pins.
My supervisors at work are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. And my job is very welcoming, which I really appreciate. My coworkers are always willing to talk, even if it's about something that makes me cry. They've also been great about using my pronouns and name, even if my name can't be in our HR system because it's not my legal one yet.
"LGBTQA+/same-gender loving adults in my life have shown support for my struggles despite not being in the exact same situation. They were the first to support me when I started transitioning."
"They make an effort to learn, to respect my name and pronouns."
"They are kind and happy that I am happy!"
"My therapist is a lesbian and she is very helpful with life advice and when it comes to being trans and queer."
"My mom (cis, not straight)
"-Asks before outing me as trans to her students/coworkers
"-Always uses my pronouns and name
"-Listens when I correct her on something
"-Doesn't overapologize if she fucks up— moves on, doesn't make a huge deal out of it
"-Is my #1 supporter in terms of medical transition— helped me start testosterone, stays in contact with my psychiatrist and doctor, etc."
