Hi Alexas, This is Iris, I am also transgender f to ?, (It’s complicated).

Thanks for sharing, we all have some kind of stress in our life. So, you need to find some way to let it out (without hurting yourself or others), maybe go for a bike ride, or run? I like to climb!

The following is from a conversation I had recently with another LGBTQIA person:

My first bit of advice is to keep your head up! Please don’t let your feelings send you off course. Set up a time to talk with her, maybe not at home, try to find some neutral ground.

She just doesn’t understand, so help her to understand! It will take time, love and patience… lots of patience.

Remember that both of you need to be calm, not overly emo, but willing to listen and have an open conversation. You need two willing participants to effectively communicate.

And bring some information with you, not just links to web sites, some —actual— printed books and magazine articles.

A local library will be ideal since you are supposed to use quiet voices there. And, they will have access to all kinds of info. Pick out some books together and take them home.

No specific sites come to mind but why not sit down with her and (together) go visit some “Parent of Trans” discussion groups? She is more likely to listen to other adults instead of a room full of younger people. Other Trans peoples families have already gone through what you are going through with your mom. So they are a great resource,

All of my trans books are out of date now, but I am sure that some like “Becoming Nicole” (which is non-fiction) have lists of resources inside. I especially like “If I was your girl” by Meredith Russo, it is fiction but has lots of realistic experiences in it. and it’s available as an audio book. so you can listen together. Maybe on a road trip? “The Symptoms of Being Human” by Jeff Garvin

Hope some of these ideas help. Sending you my love and a hug, Iris

Look for Web sites pages that include LGBT and Glossary

studentaffairs dot jhu dot edu / lgbtq / education / glossary /

www dot lgbtq dot pitt dot edu / education / lgbtq-glossary

lgbtq dot com / pages / lgbtq-glossary