From a very early age at school I was bullied. Names like "Homo,queerboy,Gayboy or even Gay Gnome", due to my height, were things I grew up with. I dont like football,or many sports, does that make me Gay? What is wrong with being gay? Although I am not gay, I am transsexual. Maybe I looked girly to the other children, or acted like one. Every school I went to I was beaten up or called names like the above.
Life for a transsexual child is living hell. You may be able to get away with not getting bullied, but deep down you still hurt. You hate looking at yourself in the mirror, you live in fear that if you told someone about how you know you should be a girl (or boy if you are a female to male transsexual) then you would be ridiculed, beaten up, called names, or if its your parents you want to tell, that they may throw you out on your rear, or have you locked up in a mental home.
As time goes on,you start to sink into depression. You start to ask yourself why it happened to you. You try calling out for help in your own way, like maybe saying to someone "If I died I'd like to come back as a girl" or "girls are great to hang out with" but still no one can hear your need for help. You know that by telling someone you risk abuse and bullying.
TO THE PARENTS OF A POSSIBLY TRANSSEXUAL CHILD:-
If your child has shown that they are not comfortable being the sex they are, please listen. When I was 7 I put on a white pleated skirt when I played with the girl next door. My Dad saw me in it and humiliated me in front of her family and mine, called me names and laughed at me. I ran back next door and barricaded my bedroom door, just so he couldn't get in again to humiliate me futher. My mother kept asking him to leave me alone, saying "he's just a baby for gods sake, he doesn't know what he's doing".
After that, I buried my feelings,but I still hung around girls more than boys. I always wanted to be one of the girls, but I learned to hide it. I guess I didnt do too good a job because I was bullied at school. Listen to your child, don't ignore it as a phase and that it will pass. It wont. take the child to counselling. Help them to see no matter what body they grow up with, you will always love them. Lets break this circle of hatred once and for all. I know that you as a parent may feel it is all your fault. IT ISNT. No matter what, your child will always love you. They will grow up feeling that they can come to you when they need you most, instead of letting the problem get worse.
If you can help your child to become the boy/girl they know they are, then please help them. You will be making a small piece of the world better for your child.
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