Telling your parents that your spouse has come out as transgender can be quite stressful; no two family dynamics are the same. In this episode, I talk to my midwestern, cisgender, former United States Navy officer, highly educated dad in his eighties about his reaction when I told him that my spouse had come out as transgender.

My favorite quote from our talk: “The only change would be our nasty attitude and that just makes no sense.”

FYI: The podcast is now available on YouTube, too. 

Mentioned or related to this episode:

• Book my dad read: She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders, by Jennifer Finney Boylan
• PFLAG National for friend and family ally support
• PFLAG International for friend and family ally support
• Book I recently read and recommend: Dear Cisgender People: A Guide to Trans Allyship and Empathy, by Kenny Ethan Jones

Information for allies:

• PFLAG Guide to Being a Trans Ally(PDF)
• GLAAD Tips for Allies of Transgender People
• Advocates for Transgender Equality ally guide
• Human Rights Campaign ally guide

Places to look for therapy and professional support:

• Psychology Today
• Coaching for Cis & Straight Partners of Transgender, Gender Diverse, and LGBTQ+ Folx 

More transgender families: 

• YouTube Channel: Great Scotts
• YouTube Channel: Jammidodger
• TikTok: TransitionTogether
• The Cut: My Husband is Now my Wife: Trans Women’s Wives on Their Own Dramatic Transformations
• Chicago Tribune: Suburban Wife Loves the Person, Not the Gender, After Spouse Comes out as Woman

 

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Get in touch, I’m happy to hear from you or answer questions.

If you would like to support the podcast, consider Buy Me A Coffee or donating to: The Trevor Project, GLAAD, PFLAG and PFLAG International chapters, Lambda Legal, Trans Formations Project, The Williams Institute, your local LGBTQ+ centers.