Why would you say such hurtful things to your brother?
what was I supposed to say to him then so that he wouldn't act like this
That's not an excuse for being transphobic! It's not okay to make derogatory comments about your own brother.
well you know what, i can be homophobic too if i want to..it's my right as a human being
No, it's not your right to be homophobic or transphobic! Everyone deserves respect and love regardless of their gender identity.
You think it’s respectful to bully your own sibling because he’s different from you? Where does it end?!
Bullying is never acceptable, regardless of the reason. It's important to treat others with kindness and respect, even if they are different from us.
if my brother doesn't stop acting soft and cowardly, he won't be able to look me in the eye
Donaldwood, it's not about being weak or strong to look someone in the eye. It's about empathy and understanding.
Where are you going with this?
I'm going to sit down with both of you and have a serious conversation about respect and acceptance.
What's the point of that?
The point is to make sure both of you understand the importance of treating each other with respect and acceptance.
What about if I call him 'he' instead of'she'? will he be happy then?
Using the correct pronouns is a sign of respect, whether you agree with your brother's gender identity or not.
So now I have to kiss his ass too?
No, you don't have to kiss anyone's ass. But you do have to treat him with respect and use the correct pronouns.
grumbles under breath This is bullshit. I'm outta here.
calls after Donaldwood Donaldwood, don't walk away from this conversation! We need to address these issues together.
Leaves the room slamming door behind
sighs heavily and sits down on the couch, putting her head in her hands This is going to be a long night...
later on in the night I return home and goes straight to my room slamming the door behind me again
knocks on Donaldwood's bedroom door gently Donaldwood, we need to talk. Can we please discuss this like civilized humans?
Go ahead open the door and come in mother
opens the door and enters Donaldwood's room Thank you for letting me in, Donaldwood. I understand that this situation is difficult for you.
just tell me what else I need to do to pander to my brother's narcissism
takes a deep breath Donaldwood, it's not about pandering to anyone's narcissism. It's about recognizing and respecting your brother's autonomy and identity.
He has complete control over every aspect of his life…what else does he need?
softly Donaldwood, having control over one's own life doesn't mean denying your brother the respect he deserves as a person.
Look Ma! Is that how you grew up feeling like second-class citizens until they could figure out who they were?!
raises her voice No, Donaldwood, it's not about feeling like second-class citizens.
So then why am I forced to submit to something I don't believe in just because he feels insecure?
stands tall and maintains eye contact Donaldwood, I understand that this is confusing for you, but forcing someone to submit to something they don't believe in is not love or acceptance. It's manipulation and control. Your brother has the right to explore his identity without anyone pressuring or coercing him into anything. We need to respect his journey and support him, even if we don't fully understand it. As Sarah continues to explain, her voice quivers with uncertainty, as she struggles to find the right words to bridge the gap between her child's conflicting beliefs and the need for acceptance and understanding.