[Chase, 22]
My experience coming out to my parents was pretty daunting. With me, growing up, I didn't know anyone who was openly trans or gender diverse,
so I really had to be the one to pave my own way.

[Sarah, Chase's mum]
When Chase came out to me, I could not believe that for 14 years my child was going through this.

It was a big grief and big worry about how our relationship was going to turn out.

[Chase]
Before coming out, my parents had never even met an openly trans person. So, for them, it was basically an entirely new concept. 

So my parents and I got support through local support groups. Also had a really good school psychologist that I'm still in touch with today, that I was able to talk to about things and get support, and kind of just, have someone there that I could go to if I need to.

[Sarah]
My approach to supporting Chase was firstly to just really listen to him
and how he felt, and then respect his pronouns, which was hard at first
because I'd slip up sometimes, but just try really hard you know, to get the right pronouns.

And just follow him, his lead, really. Just follow his lead, and just give him a lot of love and support. Because whatever I was going through,
it was a hundred times worse for him, he's the one going through this.

This experience I think has improved my relationship with Chase a lot
because now I know the real Chase. My son and I have a ball going on lots of road trips and we still talk about all the same things and same interests, so I realised that, you know, it's not really the gender.

I didn't lose my child, I still have my child, yeah. But he's just his authentic self now, so it's better.

[Chase]
I think knowing that my parents were in my corner was invaluable like when I came out. Especially because I'd gone to support groups and met other people whose parents were not as understanding. So I know I was definitely lucky in that regard to have supportive parents. 

It means a lot to me to have supportive family because I think it's ultimately what got me where I am and made me the person I am today.