Katie Frank

Katie Frank is a Springfield, Ohio, resident.

As my twins, daughter and son, prepared to go back to school this fall, we were excited to go shopping for new clothes and supplies just like every other family, and just like every other parent I was a little nervous about the year ahead.

Will the other kids treat them well? Will they get good grades? In addition to the usual concerns, I am working with my daughter’s school to ensure she can participate fully in school, just like other children.

My daughter Elizabeth is transgender. She was born a boy, but from a very early age, she has insistently and persistently told us that she was supposed to be a girl.

At first I thought it was a phase or play but then realized there was something much deeper happening. Eventually, doctors advised us – for her well-being – to raise her as the girl she knew herself to be. Some members of our family are still struggling to accept her. But the more I learned about other families like ours, the more I came to realize that the best thing for her was to surround her with love, acceptance and support.

I began an ongoing conversation with the principal at Elizabeth’s school – a healthy dialogue centered around the safety and fair treatment of all students. Together, we continue to make plans based on those considerations.

Today, at age 7, Elizabeth is happier than ever because she is able to live her life every day as her authentic self.

Still, I worry. I worry because of events like the tragedy in Orlando. I worry because politicians continue to capitalize upon people’s misunderstanding of transgender people to drum up fear for political gain. I worry because transgender youth face higher rates of bullying and violence against them.

Just a few weeks ago, here in Ohio, a transgender woman was brutally murdered – one of at least 18 such murders in the United States this year. And, someone I know recently lost her child to suicide due to anti-transgender bullying.

One issue was how the school would handle bathrooms and locker rooms. Right now, Elizabeth is using a single-stall restroom. There may come a time where we decide with the school that it makes sense for her to use the girls' restroom. When that time comes, it's important to remember that there are successful models already working in schools across the country to meet everyone's privacy and safety needs.Some people want schools to force Elizabeth to use facilities meant for boys. This would not only be dangerous for her, but confusing to other students

Despite the violence and discrimination transgender people face, the community is becoming much more visible, providing my daughter and other transgender children with hope. Transgender kids like Jazz Jennings and Zoey Luna are sharing their stories on reality shows and documentaries. A commercial featuring a transgender woman debuted on Fox News during the Republican National Convention. Then, Sarah McBride made history as the first transgender person to speak at the Democratic National Convention. The president went on national television to encourage the nation to treat our transgender children with the dignity and respect all our students need.

This may be unfamiliar territory to many parents, but we can take our cues from our youth. Elizabeth’s brother is her biggest ally; when he sees her being treated differently than any other girl, he is the first in line to defend her. When I look at my children, I see the possibility in all of us to be more kind, regardless of our differences.

The new visibility of transgender people has strengthened my resolve to share my family's story. As you have the opportunity to change policies at your business, in your town or at the ballot box – please keep my children in mind and err on the side of fairness and safety for all.