This is who

Published about 2 hours ago • 2 min read

This weekend, I jumped on the "This is who" trend on social media.

Businesses have been posting childhood photos of themselves and/or their team members, captioned with "This is who [does a specific job task]". The trend is supposed to humanize brands and create a personal connection with their audiences.

Looking back at these pictures made me think that I had NO idea I'd be doing what I am today, even as recently as a few years ago.

I had no clue what being transgender meant when my first child came out to us 10 years ago, much less what it meant to parent a transgender child.

The road that brought me here included my two nonbinary kids, lots of PFLAG meetings, a few conferences, many new friends, the Texas legislature, countless phone calls, email threads, Facebook groups, Slack channels, and Signal chats.

All the ups and downs, all the tears, confusion, laughter, and celebration, were all worth it, because they led me to start Parents of Trans Youth. They led me to you, Reader.

Have you voted yet?

I'm an Ally Grand Marshal nominee for the 48th Annual Pride Houston Festival + Parade, and I'd love your vote!

This is an incredible honor, and I still can't believe it! I'm currently in the lead and really want to win so I can share the award with the transgender folks, advocates, and other parents who have been my cheerleaders along that winding path to today.

If I win, I get to lead the June 6 Pride Houston parade with the other Grand Marshals and invite lots of folks to be in the parade with me!

🗳 Voting ends April 2, and anyone can vote (you don't have to live in Houston or give any identifying information).

Please vote for me!

Be sure to check out the leaders and changemakers in all categories!

Mandy Giles
Founder and CEO
Parents of Trans Youth

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p.s.s. But wait! There's more! Click here to get on the Houston-area email list.

Parents of Trans Youth provides learning, support, and community to parents and caregivers of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse kids.

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