A Note to My Kid gives the LGBTQ community, their parents, families and friends the opportunity to share their
To My Best Friend:
I remember it was over two years ago when we first met as soon-to-be college freshmen. We were both doing the community service project for the Orientation Adventures thing. We were talking in the college parking lot near the dining hall after the community service until my mom made me get in the car so you could drive home. Who knew you lived in the same town as my grandparents! Then we did the Hersheypark trip for Orientation Adventures. Then we would have lunch together every Friday between my lab and our First Year Seminar class.
Fast forward to our junior year (this school year). A few weeks ago, you had mentioned something about getting your name legally changed in the future and that you were deciding on a new name. Then on a Wednesday, many hours after I had gotten my flu shot (I blame my friends for keeping me away from my room), you said you wanted to talk to me about something. I had a feeling about what it was, so we searched the area for a place where no one else was. It ended up being at a never-used table with a dead bird underneath it. You were nervous, and I could tell. I told you that if you weren’t ready to tell me, then you could tell me when you were ready. You were ready, but you had a hard time forming your words. Then I realized that I left my receipt from my flu shot at the table where my other friend was. So we went back to get my receipt, and we went back to the deserted corner with the dead bird. After a few minutes, you decided to be blunt about it. “I’m a guy.” You said. You had felt this way for a few years. I put the name that you will later be referred to on my phone.
K, if you ever come across this site and read this, I’m really proud of you for coming out to me. That was a really courageous thing you did. I’ll be there for you when you need someone to talk to relating to your transition. If you need me to help you educate one of your friends about what she should and should not say about LGBT issues, I’ll make space in my already not-busy schedule. Maybe when you get your tattoos (and be disowned by your father because of getting a tattoo, as you claimed), I will only go as far as going with you to the tattoo parlor (I would get my nose pierced too, but the career I’m going into most likely would frown upon a nose piercing. I don’t know yet. Maybe I could get my nose pierced while you get your tattoo if my future career permits). Heck, years down the road, I could try to convince my way-in-the future husband to have you as the best man for my wedding. The only thing that has changed since you came out to me is your gender identity (and soon, your name). We’re still going to have conversations that somehow shift into something about bush fuzz or whatever. Seriously, how do we get from one topic to a totally irrelevant topic?
I wish you the best in your journey of coming out and transitioning.
From the girl who will always consider you as her best friend,
Martina
I remember it was over two years ago when we first met as soon-to-be college freshmen. We were both doing the community service project for the Orientation Adventures thing. We were talking in the college parking lot near the dining hall after the community service until my mom made me get in the car so you could drive home. Who knew you lived in the same town as my grandparents! Then we did the Hersheypark trip for Orientation Adventures. Then we would have lunch together every Friday between my lab and our First Year Seminar class.
Fast forward to our junior year (this school year). A few weeks ago, you had mentioned something about getting your name legally changed in the future and that you were deciding on a new name. Then on a Wednesday, many hours after I had gotten my flu shot (I blame my friends for keeping me away from my room), you said you wanted to talk to me about something. I had a feeling about what it was, so we searched the area for a place where no one else was. It ended up being at a never-used table with a dead bird underneath it. You were nervous, and I could tell. I told you that if you weren’t ready to tell me, then you could tell me when you were ready. You were ready, but you had a hard time forming your words. Then I realized that I left my receipt from my flu shot at the table where my other friend was. So we went back to get my receipt, and we went back to the deserted corner with the dead bird. After a few minutes, you decided to be blunt about it. “I’m a guy.” You said. You had felt this way for a few years. I put the name that you will later be referred to on my phone.
K, if you ever come across this site and read this, I’m really proud of you for coming out to me. That was a really courageous thing you did. I’ll be there for you when you need someone to talk to relating to your transition. If you need me to help you educate one of your friends about what she should and should not say about LGBT issues, I’ll make space in my already not-busy schedule. Maybe when you get your tattoos (and be disowned by your father because of getting a tattoo, as you claimed), I will only go as far as going with you to the tattoo parlor (I would get my nose pierced too, but the career I’m going into most likely would frown upon a nose piercing. I don’t know yet. Maybe I could get my nose pierced while you get your tattoo if my future career permits). Heck, years down the road, I could try to convince my way-in-the future husband to have you as the best man for my wedding. The only thing that has changed since you came out to me is your gender identity (and soon, your name). We’re still going to have conversations that somehow shift into something about bush fuzz or whatever. Seriously, how do we get from one topic to a totally irrelevant topic?
I wish you the best in your journey of coming out and transitioning.
From the girl who will always consider you as her best friend,
Martina
