Camp Wild Heart

04. Beyond Pride: How Conservative Parents Became Fierce Allies


Listen Later

There is so much misinformation about trans people out there, and a lot of the kids and families I work with have people in their lives who simply do not understand what these kids are going through.


But I don't think anyone is a lost cause. Almost everyone is capable of learning and growing.


I reached out to today's guests because I wanted to discuss the experience of having a transgender kid while being in a conservative family. 


I met Amanda and Tom, and their daughter Ella, in 2021 when Amanda contacted me after listening to the podcast. They are upper-class, white, and live in conservative rural Oregon.


They have wholeheartedly committed to educating themselves and supporting their daughter through her transition, strengthening their family in the process. They circled the wagons and did the work so that their kid could thrive.



Content note: brief, non-detailed mention of suicidal ideation.


Check out the full episode to hear about:

  • How Amanda and Tom realized they were at a point where they needed to learn and evolve to support Ella
  • How Tom’s relationship with Ella got a new beginning as a result of her transition
  • How Amanda and Tom drew a hard line in the sand on family acceptance
  • How having a trans child has impacted their politics
  • Why it’s so important to show up visibly and publicly supporting trans people


Find out more about Mackenzie Dunham:

  • Wildheartsociety.org
  • wildheartsociety.org/downloads
  • Wild Heart Society on Facebook
  • Wild Heart Society on Instagram


Resources:

  • Register for Camp
  • Donate to the Queer Community Network
  • Disclosure
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Camp Wild HeartBy Mackenzie Dunham

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

88 ratings


More shows like Camp Wild Heart

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

91,197 Listeners

TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

21,948 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,914 Listeners

Criminal by Vox Media Podcast Network

Criminal

37,502 Listeners

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,831 Listeners

Lore by Aaron Mahnke

Lore

45,060 Listeners

This Is Actually Happening by Wondery

This Is Actually Happening

10,439 Listeners

20/20 by ABC News

20/20

11,845 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,881 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,564 Listeners

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

14,943 Listeners

Crime Junkie by audiochuck

Crime Junkie

368,754 Listeners

Park Predators by audiochuck

Park Predators

17,801 Listeners

Handsome by Headgum

Handsome

13,340 Listeners

Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson

Letters from an American

5,866 Listeners