Parents often describe to me how they feel when their child comes out to them as transgender: "No, that can't be true." "This must be something silly they're going through." "We'll stop it however we can." And then eventually, they realise this is not going away. They decide to accept, believe and encourage them for a bit. Just to see what happens. And what happens is beautiful. All of a sudden their relationships are back. The child is happy again. They're back at school. They're making friends. They're going out and socialising. Not being believed of who you are is the most incredibly demoralising, hopeless feeling in the world. But being loved and encouraged? That is what gives trans people the hope and energy to live their lives. If you're the parent of a trans child - I implore you to believe them. No amount of suppression will stop your child being trans. But a tiny amount of encouragement WILL save their life.