About the Gender Critical Support Board

[Midwestern Mom]

Hello Gender Critical Support and Parents - I'm hopeful I can find the support I'm seeking here. A few weeks ago my 14 year old daughter told me she was trans. I believe it took a lot of courage for her to tell me. She preempted her announcement with much anxiety and reluctance. The build up she created to make the announcement had me thinking she was about to admit to committing a crime or something, so I was actually relieved when she finally spit it out. I was supportive, although incredibly stunned. We hugged and told each other we loved one another. I had a few questions thereafter, but my reaction was calm and accepting. I'm a rather left-leaning, politically progressive marketing and media professional, so I'm very in tune to the increased press coverage of transgender rights. I'm inclined to encourage and embrace her pursuit of becoming her true self. Except this announcement seems like a huge mismatch and came completely out of nowhere. She's a young girl, going through puberty, has anxiety and attention issues, and trauma from a male parent. Those factors couple with the fact that she's been isolated for the last year (school has been 100% virtual for the last year plus) with unfettered access to the internet and social media, I'm incredibly reluctant to believe she is trans. I'm between a rock and hard place. If I hint that I don't believe this declaration is legit I'll be viewed as unsupportive and risk alienating her. I also don't want to pursue gender identity therapy for fear the trans path will be blindly encouraged, rather than prompting her to consider a different reality. Hoping I can find some answers on the next right step to take. I want nothing more than the absolute best for her.