Most kids don’t necessarily walk up to you and say, “Mom/Dad, I’m trans,” when they come out.

Most of the time, however, they show early signs that they are exploring their gender and that they don’t feel right in their body.

Some parents welcome the exploration.

Others actively try to shut it down.

Some parents shut it down without even knowing it—and when they do, they often unintentionally shut down a child’s willingness to be vulnerable and open with them about gender and other difficult subjects—often for years to come.

So, how do you avoid closing the door on the coming-out conversation before it even happens? How do you encourage your child to be their most authentic self? And how do you find the courage to rumble with the discomfort of knowing they will face a world that will continuously tell them they aren’t good enough and judges them—and you—every step of the way?

In the first part of this episode, we’re going to hear from Tina Mulqueen. Tina’s daughter was assigned male at birth, but she knew rather quickly that her kiddo was not a boy. We talk about what this experience has been like for her and what she has done to support her kiddo as much as she possibly can.

Tina is the founder of Kindred PR and Executive Director of Cause Influence, a non-profit dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices. She's also a sought after speaker in sustainable entrepreneurship with a focus on such issues as minority representation in media and technology.

So, I have a Question:

This interview with Tina will probably bring up a lot of questions for you.

In the second part of this episode, Dr. Linda Hawkins, PHD., will lend us her expertise and answer some common questions she and I receive from parents as we do this work.

Dr. Hawkins is the Director of the Affirmative Therapy for Transgender Communities Training Program at Widener University & Director of the Gender & Sexuality Development Program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She has more than 20 years of experience as a clinician.

Check out the full episode to hear about:

• The early signs of gender expansiveness Tina saw in her child
• The playbook Tina and her family created to support her daughter
• How Tina’s family has navigated life so far, what keeps her up at night, and what inspires her about her daughter
• Dr. Linda breaks down the difference between sex and gender
• How parents can show their child that they love them in regard to gender identity

Find out more about Tina Mulqueen:

• Kindred PR

Find out more about Dr. Linda Hawkins PhD.:

• Dr. Linda Hawkins at Widener

Find out more about Mackenzie Dunham:

• wildheartsociety.org
• Wild Heart Society on Facebook
• Wild Heart Society on Instagram

Additional resources:

• Scientific American - January 2016
• Affirmative Therapy for Transgender Communities