Renee Posey admits though she was a little taken a back when her kid first brought up the subject a few years ago, but was more accepting once she learned more about what transgender is.

"I think, if anything, we've gotten closer, I would never be angry at my kiddo for anything about who they are," Renee said.

Yet she was terrified to tell her family.

“Like grandparents and stuff, they don't understand,” Renee said. “The thing that people don't understand, they think like, ‘oh this is silly, this is just a phase.’ It's not just a phase. And even if it is a phase, like affirming their gender is not going to hurt anything."

While she leaned on a few friends, she recently started a monthly support group at the YWCA in Jamestown for other parents with nowhere to turn.

"It's brand new territory,” Renee said. “Talking to other people who've been through that experience and helping each other. It's just so important to be able to talk to someone."

It's called, TransParent, designed for families to have a safe place to talk about their challenges and struggles. And to learn from others with similar experiences.

"This gives them a space to do that and to not have it impact their kids," Renee said.

Which is why Danielle Bonavitch with G.A Family Services in Jamestown founded a relatively new monthly support group for trans youth, ages 12 to 21.

"A lot of our youth are vulnerable,” Danielle Bonavitch, with G.A Family Services in Jamestown, said. “And so they just really need all the support that they can get. And they're not finding that in other areas of the community."

The session includes team building and discussions.

"This group provides them with acceptance,” Bonavitch said. “And it also gives them the opportunity to meet other youth that are like them."

Danielle runs the group with help from Kaden Mason, who identifies as non-binary, meaning Kaden does not identify with either gender.

Around age 12, Kaden felt different, and knows what it's like to be somewhat alienated without any kind of outreach.

Kaden is also a member of the group and says it allows others to be themselves.

"It's huge to see how these kids are interacting with us and just how they light up when they come into group or when they're leaving,” Kaden said. “And to just know they have a safe place."

Renee recently caught up with Kaden and Danielle, looking to partner on a number of projects. Her son is a member of their support group as well.

"This group is their lifeline,” Renee said. “This is where they fit in. This is where they feel safe. This is where they feel seen."

The transgender support group meets monthly on the last Thursday, while the parent group meets the third Thursday of every month.