Mix self-confidence, a dose of supportive parenting, and the warm embrace of a trans-focused summer camp, and what do you get? Alex, the 8-year-old transgender boy whose rap about coming out as trans to his mom has won him a quick Internet fandom.
With lines like "Basically I said this girl is your son / and I've always felt this way and it hasn't been fun / [Mom and I] sat there together for a little while / I thought she was sad but then I saw her smile / She told me I was brave and that she was so proud / that I came to her so she could help me sort things out," it's clear that young Alex (maybe with a little lyrical help from Mom) feels proud and self-assured when discussing his gender.
That's exactly the way that Camp Aranu'tiq, the summer camp for trans and gender-variant youth where Alex performed his song, aims to help more trans kids feel. Founded in 2009 by trans advocate Nick Teich, Aranu'tiq is a place for youth who feel they don't fit into other camps because of their gender or who want to have summer fun with others like them.
Safe spaces and adult support can help trans kids feel like being themselves is awesome -- and studies have shown that trans kids with affirming parents are less likely to experience suicidal thoughts or fall into problem drinking or drug use, as well as homelessness and sex work. But for all the personal evidence you'd need to convice you what a difference an accepting family can make, check out Alex's rhymes below.
