Marie Hommel: Unshakeable Roots-A Mother’s Journey with Her Transgender Daughter

In this episode, Marie Hommel gets real about the ups and downs of supporting her transgender daughter, Ashley. It's not just about identity exploration – mental health is in the mix too. Marie shares  how trust and acceptance were foundational in creating a safe space for her daughter to open up, which is not easy as a teenager. This episode is a straight-up, no-nonsense conversation that's part heart, part uplifting.BIO: Marie began her career as an educator. She taught High School English. She loved working with young people and particularly students who were considered “at risk”. In 2002 - Marie went to graduate school. She completed a dual degree program, graduating with her Master of Social Work and her law degree. Marie was hired by the County of San Diego as a social worker for the Health and Human Services Agency. She is currently a Chief of Agency Operations and works with teams of social workers to support children, youth and families. Marie is an expert in child abuse and neglect.In 2006, Marie and her husband Mike and then 5 year old son Jacob welcomed a baby boy into the family. The baby was named Austin. In 2021, Austin came out as transgender. The name and gender has been legally changed to Ashley Jules Hommel. Ashley is now 17 years old and has plans to transition via surgery in 2024.RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:Parenting Your Transgender Teen: Positive Parenting Strategies for Raising Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming Teens LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE DOs and DON’TsA Guide for Understanding, Supporting, and Affirming LGBTQI2-S Children, Youth, and FamiliesSend us Fan MailSupport the showDisclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.