What do you really know about gender-nonconforming children?

[Symbol for transgender/non-gender conforming identity]

To those questioning their value because of their social status, whether the issue is related to ideas about the right career, amount of money, level of education, skin color, religious (non-)affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity, there are many people out there who aren't like those who've judged and dismissed you as not good enough.

To those who base their opinion of a person's worth on how they look, how much money they have in the bank, and whether your holy book says that someone is worthy of respect just as they are, you are missing out on the chance to know some amazing people.

Knowing someone with a gender-nonconforming child and having followed the highlights of the journey from revelation, acceptance, and education to activism, I have become aware that while kids who are nerdy, clumsy, or overweight may develop image issues, acquire social phobias, and suffer the effects of bullying, the frequency and severity of these issues can be much higher for gay and especially transgender children.

An informative piece called "Dispelling Myths, Misconceptions and Lies About Gender-Nonconforming Children" was recently published on The Huffington Post which lists and refutes many of the uninformed and unfair assumptions that I have been hearing about for over a year.

Even if you don't know of someone who is openly gender nonconforming, the odds are someone you know or meet will come out as such in your lifetime. Take a couple of minutes to learn about this topic so that even if you only ever read about legislation and policies regarding trans* children and their families, you will have some idea of what they need and what they go through.