How To Support A Transitioning Loved One

Bruce Jenner, the former Olympian who has become a reality TV star, revealed he is transgender Friday in a highly anticipated interview with Diane Sawyer. "Yes, for all intents and purposes I am a woman," Jenner said on ABC's "20/20." "People look at me differently. They see you as this 'macho male,' but my heart and soul and everything I do in life, it's part of me. That female side is part of me. It's part of who I am." Social support, particularly from loved ones, is a crucial aspect of a healthy and happy transition for many transgender people. And, simply by proudly identifying as transgender, Jenner has paved the way for a national dialogue that is more open and accepting of the transgender community. For example, a discussion of proper pronoun use was a central part of the broadcast. (For the record, Jenner said he would like to be referred to with male pronouns for now.) Kardashian family members showed their support for Jenner. At an event in New York City Friday, Kim Kardashian explained: 'We always support each other. Our family is super-supportive of everything that we do and you know we're gonna watch the special tonight and support Bruce and watch it with him tonight." Much of Sawyer's interview focused on family and tolerance. "This is a family love story," she told colleague George Stephanopoulos before the interview was shown. Early in the interview, Jenner said that he and his family would "change the world." "Today, millions of people learned that...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news