During a recent school drop-off, a fellow mom of tweens shared, “I was navigating a tricky merge when one of my kids asked, ‘Who’s Bruce Jenner?’ I felt so unprepared! I just said he was an Olympic athlete and quickly changed the topic.” In essence, she avoided the conversation. Despite having co-authored a children’s book, I Am Jazz, which introduces the concept of being transgender, I’ve always encouraged parents and educators to have genuine, age-appropriate discussions about LGBT issues.
My motivation isn’t personal—no one in my family identifies as LGBT—but rather a desire to nurture compassionate, understanding children. With the ongoing advancement of marriage equality and the visibility of transgender individuals, our children will encounter more openly identifying LGBT people in their everyday lives. Ignoring this reality does a disservice to our kids and places undue pressure on teachers to overlook the LGBT students and families already present in their classrooms.
How to Respond
So, how would I respond to the question? I would say (and have said to my own children), “Bruce Jenner was a renowned Olympic gold medalist. But now, at 65, he’s in the spotlight for a different reason. He’s sharing his truth: that he identifies as female, even though he was born in a male body. Interesting, isn’t it?”
I would continue, “When Bruce was younger, he didn’t realize that there were others like him. He felt confused and ashamed about wanting a different body. But he found a community; there’s even a term for it: transgender.
“Today, doctors understand that being transgender is simply part of who someone is. It’s like their brain received mixed signals while developing in their mother’s womb. Thankfully, there are now treatments and surgeries available for those who wish to align their bodies with their true identity. However, many find comfort in changing their name, clothing, and hairstyle without needing surgery.
“I’m not sure if you’ll meet someone who’s transgender—it’s relatively uncommon—but if you do, I hope you treat them with kindness and respect. Understand that they likely have faced challenges that you can’t imagine. It’s important to accept them for who they are on the inside, just like we do with everyone else.”
And just like that, the conversation flows naturally without any added stress. One thing I wouldn’t bring up is sex or sexual orientation—those topics could complicate the discussion, as they are distinct from gender identity. Ultimately, avoiding these questions means our children might hear about Bruce Jenner from less-informed peers on the playground. It’s far better to engage them in honest dialogue, reflecting the openness that Bruce Jenner has bravely embraced.
Additional Resources
For more insights on parenting and fertility options, feel free to explore resources like March of Dimes, which is an excellent source for understanding various fertility treatments, or check out Make a Mom for guidance on home insemination kits. For privacy information, you can visit our privacy policy.
In summary, discussing topics like Bruce Jenner with your kids can be straightforward and informative. By fostering an environment of openness and respect, you equip your children with the understanding they need to navigate a diverse world.