CNN spoke with a doctor, gender rights activists and parents of trans children about what to say when a child comes out as transgender, how to address certain challenges and what receiving gender-affirming care is like. Some parents want to support their child but worry if their gender identity is the result of a phase, or if they’ll change their mind later. It would be their decision resulting from the exploration of their gender identity, rather than someone trying to control it for them. Rhyland’s son later realized he is trans masculine nonbinary and uses he/him pronouns, and he’s OK with Rhyland calling him her son. (Trans masculine nonbinary means someone’s gender identity is nonbinary, yet they present in a typically masculine fashion with their name, style and more.)

---

Persons: CNN — Maryhope Howland, ’ ”, Howland, didn’t, ” Howland, ”, Nova, Williams, Rachel Cornwell’s, Evan, Cornwell, ” Cornwell, “, Kade, It’s, Goepferd, “ There’s, ” Goepferd, Jocelyn Rhynard’s, Rhyland’s, aren’t, —, ” Rhynard, “ we’ve, ‘, ’, Rhynard, ’ ” Howland, Sarah McBride Organizations: CNN, Families United, Trans Rights, Dumbarton United Methodist Church, Human Rights Locations: Washington ,, Minnesota, Delaware