"Mom, Dad, I am a girl" didn't work the first three times. Always they say they don't understand/it's just a phase/this decision makes them uncomfortable/I am changing myself to be compatible with my boyfriend/I caught the trans from him. How can I explain to them my gender? They think it's a decision and I'm changing myself; how can I show them that this isn't my choice? Thanks for all the help everyone. <3, Robin
The best answer is to be open with them, know that it will take time, and sadly not all people will ever be convinced. You have to just be you.
Simplest way is to say "I was born with the wrong gender body for my brain." And let it go, they will or won't accept it, you can only change how you react to others, not how they react to you. Stressing over it accomplishes nothing and, wastes time and energy you could put into just being you.
I told my parents that if I'm making "choices" like this, I must be severely self-destructive. Make it clear to them that no one in their right mind would choose to feel like this, no one would choose to be discrimated against and painted as monsters/abominations by society or to feel in a way that means their body is alien to them. If you can, tell your parents you want some help in figuring out your gender and ask to see a gender therapist. Do not phrase it in any way that implies you want to "be fixed", make sure it's clear that you do nor want 'reparitive therapy' or 'conversion therapy' and that you want to go to a gender identity clinic with specialists who will actually help you figure yourself out instead of bully you into conforming. You could then receive a professional diagnosis of gender dysphoria and verification of your identity, which can go miles in letting mis- or underinformed parents realise that this is something serious and not just a game or a fun choice you've decided to make. You could also ask the therapist to talk to your parents and let them ask questions; they are more likely to listen to a professional than to their child. Parents really do not like when children try to teach them things, I've found... I've been so far unable to make my parents realise just what feeling trans is like. They don't listen or they interrupt me. Because of this, I'm in the process of writing a letter explaining how I feel, why this is important to me, and why I can't change. Maybe something along the same lines could be useful for you - though whether you would want to do it before or after seeing a gender therapist would be important. Best of luck.
