Young Teens Openly Express Sexuality; Gay at 12: Proud, Not Safe
Many Middle Schools Don't Have Policies to Safeguard Against Anti-Gay Bullies
By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES
July 16, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Sex/story?id=5381271&page=1 (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Sex/story?id=5381271&page=1)
Sean has felt since the age of 2 or 3 that he was a boy in a girl's body. Telling his parents at age 11 was difficult but coming out as transgender among his seventh-grade classmates was like walking into a lion's den.
When Sean first shared his sexuality with his mother, "She didn't take it well," he said. "She cried for about a week, but then went on the Internet and understood it better."
About a month before Sarah's "transition" to Sean, his mother informed school officials, but no one told teachers or students.