Conservatives: if you had a child who came out as transgender, how would you react?

[Alben Barkley]

Not conservative, although some here including you probably consider me one (wrongly) on this issue.

A lot would depend on the circumstances, especially age. I would in any case try to explain that gender roles are social constructs, but biological sex is not, and is fundamentally impossible to change even if you really want to. I would say there is nothing wrong with not conforming to all of society’s expectations for gender and it doesn’t mean you have to change your body or anything else about yourself. I would explain all the dangers and handicaps that come with adopting this lifestyle in a matter of fact way, as a warning of all the risks and downsides that come from things like sex reassignment surgery (including loss of reproductive ability — especially concerning to me as I would want grandkids — and sexual function), all the prejudices and difficulties fitting in with society likely to be encountered, etc. I would make absolutely sure it is not just a phase and not something that came about as a result of peer pressure, the Internet, etc. And I would not allow puberty blockers, hormones, or any other irreversible/physical changes until the kid is 18, while at least discouraging social transition (especially if the kid is younger).

But at the end of the day, if the kid is hellbent on it and persists with it as an adult, I would atill love and support them.