What would you tell someone's mother?

[Nameless]

I "came out" a while ago to my folks. To get a better picture, they've been divorced (yet decent friends) for years. Dad was fairly okay with it. He's doing a bit of research here and there, and I think he's opening up to the idea. Mom, however.... Well, the day I told her that I felt like I was meant to be male, she yelled, screamed, called the idea every name in the book, threatened that my family would abandon me, and a whole other mess of problems. To this day, she still makes snarky comments on things I do. "Why do you always buy boys' clothes? You're a girl. Why are you trying to grow a beard? It looks stupid. Why are you doing that? That's what boys do. You'll never pass a job interview looking like that." To shine some more light into my situation, mom is a dedicated conservative. Politically and socially. If things don't match her way of doing things or thinking, it's wrong to her. Because of that, we've never really seen eye-to-eye with much.

We haven't really had a talk about it since I told her initially (few months ago from this post date). I've overheard conversations where she was talking about it with my dad and a close friend once, and she still believes it's just a phase or that I really don't want to be male for various strange reasons (e.g. "Oh, but she was in dance when she was 5, so she can't possibly want to be a boy.")

Don't get me wrong. I love my mom. She's supported me the best she could as a single mother most of my growing up, especially financially. Emotionally, however, things have been lacking. I don't mean to say she's an awful mother, because she is not. What I am trying to do, however, is help her to see my side of the story, where I'm coming from.

I ask you fantastic folk of Susan's to help me help my mother. What would you tell a 50-something year old woman who is having a hard time dealing with this? Do you have your own experience with this? How would you react if your child came out to you as transgendered? Or how did you react? Do you know of any good books or resources for her to read?
If I get some good responses, I might print these out and show them to her!

[Jessica Merriman]

I hate to say it, but sometimes personal beliefs just can't be changed on something like this. It is like when I was on the street as a Paramedic, if someone was getting his orders in his head from G-D guess what, you just can't compete with that. I am having the same problem with my 16 year old daughter who is Southern Baptist. I can show her information on Gender Dysphoria all day, but when it comes down to it what the preacher says is final. If you do want to try learn all about Gender Dysphoria and if you can see a Therapist with gender experience. If they confirm the diagnosis they may be able to reach her on an educated professional level. That is really all you can do sometimes. Gender Dysphoria can be treated sometimes without a full transition, ie low dose hormones. Just stay calm and compassionate towards her when discussing this and maybe she will ease up a little or have a more open mind. Good luck!