Pride @ 50: How a Couple Embraced Their Transgender Child's Identity

Lizette and Jose Trujillo's child told them four years ago that he is not who they thought he was. He said that he is a boy. 

People's this week issue celebrates Pride's 50th anniversary

Lizette told People that her child was eight years old at that time when he confessed. Her child's statement made all her expectations go away immediately. She said that she had to get to know who her child is. In this week's issue, "People" celebrates Pride's 50th anniversary.

The 40-year-old mom heard Daniel's friend referred to him as a "he." Daniel was named a different name at that time, which corresponds with his birth gender. Lizette corrected the friend, not knowing that he was transgender. 

(Photo: unsplash/Sharon McCutcheon)
Parents of a transgender child embraced their child's identity.

The friend looked at them and insisted, saying that their child is a "he." When they got back to the car, Lizette asked her child if that is how he sees himself. Daniel answered, saying that he knows the insides of his body is wrong. He said that in his brain, he is a boy. 

Daniel came out as a transgender person. Everyone in the family started thinking of what to do. He needed to go into a different school in their Tucson suburb. They need to inform the people in the family, except for some who would not accept Pride people. 

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Daniel showed signs of being a transgender

Lizette and her husband wondered how they could not have known. After some thinking, they realized that there were signs they overlooked. Lizette remembered that Daniel had some behavior not conforming to his gender when he was two. 

She said that she noticed how Daniel would draw himself. The little boy wanted to be Aladdin and Astro Boy. 

Initially, the parents thought that their child was a tomboy. Lizette said that their child would dress up in his dad's clothing. Then he would come out with his puff chest and say that he is a knight in shining armor. 

Daniel experienced a pushback when he left home for school one day. His kindergarten teacher told him that he could not be Buzz from Toy Story because he was a girl. 

The impact in their life

Lizette has always thought of herself as a progressive person. Everything was confusing, and she felt surreal. Lizette asked herself how this had happened. Now, she is shopping in the boys' section, but she is afraid that someone might notice her. 

Everything that happened has impacted their idea of an American dream. Lizette said that they had a mindset that they are going to excel in the world as immigrants. But everything has changed since Daniel has become a Pride member. 

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Pride people deserve a safe place to live

After Daniel told his mom that he is transgender, the wind knocked out of Lizette. She is very aware that her child's rights were unknown. Adding to that, she knew that the world is not a safe place for transgender people. 

Her husband is more conservative because he has a Catholic background. However, the 38-year-old dad said that his son deserves to live in a safe and discrimination-free world. 

Lizette would like to let Daniel decide on his future. She said that he has to do his homework, eat his greens, and do his chores just like any other kid. But if he decides to be a transgender person, she would gladly support him being a Pride member. 

She said that they would love him even if the world does not. The 12-year-old busy boy said that being transgender is just a small part of him.