Well I just found out today that one my favorite nieces (who's 18) has come out as transgender!
Every great once in a while I would entertain the thought of "what if my kids/nieces/nephews turned out to be gay" throughout the years. I always came to the conclusion that it wouldn't really bother me at all as I'm bi myself. But what if my brothers and sisters just couldn't handle their kid being gay? I decided long ago that I would take them in and support them the best way I can and give their parents eville hell over it. (just cause I can! LOL) Hey! There's perks to being a favorite uncle! LOL
But anyway, she's come out as transgender now so she's a he. Having trouble wrapping my head around the pronoun for some reason and having trouble looking at him as a guy now and not the gorgeous girl she was. Granted, it's going to take some getting used to, BUT I still love my nephew unconditionally and as far as I'm concerned, our relationship hasn't changed. I simply know a new fact about him now, and I'm still his favorite uncle. His parents (my youngest brother) are supportive so far, so there's that.
Now my other brother (middle) who has a PhD in Theology doesn't know yet and I'm fully expecting him to not take kindly to it in which case I will have to kick his ass and/or embarrass the life out of him. (yet again) I'm hoping that he's grown up enough by now (not likely) that my brother will accept his nephew as is. If not, well, younger brother is in for a serious world of hurt!
So I'm wondering if there's something more I should do? Or maybe need to know?
I'm also curious to know what would you do in my situation and how would you handle it?
Every great once in a while I would entertain the thought of "what if my kids/nieces/nephews turned out to be gay" throughout the years. I always came to the conclusion that it wouldn't really bother me at all as I'm bi myself. But what if my brothers and sisters just couldn't handle their kid being gay? I decided long ago that I would take them in and support them the best way I can and give their parents eville hell over it. (just cause I can! LOL) Hey! There's perks to being a favorite uncle! LOL
But anyway, she's come out as transgender now so she's a he. Having trouble wrapping my head around the pronoun for some reason and having trouble looking at him as a guy now and not the gorgeous girl she was. Granted, it's going to take some getting used to, BUT I still love my nephew unconditionally and as far as I'm concerned, our relationship hasn't changed. I simply know a new fact about him now, and I'm still his favorite uncle. His parents (my youngest brother) are supportive so far, so there's that.
Now my other brother (middle) who has a PhD in Theology doesn't know yet and I'm fully expecting him to not take kindly to it in which case I will have to kick his ass and/or embarrass the life out of him. (yet again) I'm hoping that he's grown up enough by now (not likely) that my brother will accept his nephew as is. If not, well, younger brother is in for a serious world of hurt!
So I'm wondering if there's something more I should do? Or maybe need to know?
I'm also curious to know what would you do in my situation and how would you handle it?