Stories of anti-trans vitriol dominate the media, which makes it easy to forget just how many folks out there give endless love and support to the trans people in their lives.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of parents across the country fight with all their might to provide their trans kids with love, hope, and a community of support. They fight to shield their kids from pain and to make them feel proud of who they are.

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The media focuses on those who are tearing trans kids down. Let’s celebrate those who lift them up.

The November Issue of LGBTQ Nation celebrates the incredible parents uplifting their trans children at one of the most challenging times in history for the community. It highlights the passionate, furious, and exhausting behind-the-scenes work these unsung heroes do to give their kids the lives they deserve.

LGBTQ Nation asked these parents a simple question: What do you wish the world knew or understood about your trans child? We received dozens of responses, and will publish some of our favorites every Friday this month (you can also still submit).

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In every single message, one thing became clear: These parents want nothing more than for the world to see the humanity in their kids, to see past the pronouns and body parts and understand that they are so much more than their genders.

Here is what 10 of these parents, who we have allowed to remain anonymous, had to say.

He is going to be a veterinarian

“I wish the world knew that my trans kid is just like everyone else. He’s funny, he’s kind, he loves his family and his family loves him. He is going to be a veterinarian when he finishes school and he’s a great student with life goals. He needs the world to see him as the generous young man he is because he is not a sin. He is the greatest gift and we are lucky to have him.“

She’s a loving big sister

“While people on the news are shouting about how trans girls are a threat to women everywhere, my willowy, soft-spoken daughter is here finishing up high school, making plans to study marine biology. She is kind, witty, wise beyond her years, passionate about the environment and human rights, and such a loving big sister. Our trans daughters are our hope for the future, not a threat to it.“

They still give the same smiles

“They are still my kids, the same smiles, the same giggles, the same dreams for their future. No one plans on having two trans children. It’s the same way one plans on having a child prodigy in piano or a math genius. A parent adapts to the needs challenges and individuality of their children. Full stop. If you don’t have a math genius, you may not understand the decisions the parents of a math genius would make. You don’t know. Don’t judge.“

He makes a mean candle

“I wish the world understood that his gender identity is the least interesting thing about him. He is intelligent, snarky, funny, loving, kind, generous, resilient, and so much more. He loves cooking, reading, fantasy sports, and, just like any other teen, hanging out with his friends. He speaks Mandarin, rolls sushi, and makes a mean candle.“

He is a community-builder

“He is funny, smart, brave, and caring. He is a community-builder, an activist, a listener, and a friend. He truly puts his whole heart into making the world a better place for everyone!“

It’s all for them

“The most important thing I learned was that it wasn’t about me.”

Loving them is easy

“I wish the world knew how hard it was for my child to tell me that they felt different inside and they were scared I wouldn’t love them anymore. I wish the world knew that in that moment, I had never loved them more.”

She can sing

“She is incredibly talented. She can sing and play guitar. She is kind, witty, a brilliant mind and has so much empathy for others. She is just like any teenage girl. That’s the part that’s most important. She’s just trying to get by and find her place in the world like everyone else. Being trans is only a small fraction of who she is.“

She loves harder than anyone

“I wish people knew that she is wildly brilliant. She loves Taylor Swift, unicorns, mac and cheese and flared leggings. She hates brushing her hair and when her socks don’t feel just right. Her favorite days are the days she’s building legos, watching Spidey and his Amazing Friends or playing on the trampoline with her friends. She loves harder than anyone I’ve ever met and is filled with so much silliness and joy. She is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I am so proud to be her mom.“

She leads & we follow

“That she is only ever been herself. She leads and we follow. She’s not a trans kid, she’s a dancer, a lego master, a reader, an archer, a harpest, a mentor for english readers, a keen gardener. She’s a big sister, a little niece, a best friend, a granddaughter, my eldest child. She’s sensitive, funny, messy, clever, acrobatic, curious. She’s not a trans kid. She’s a kid, who happens to be trans.“

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