Dad ‘Adopts’ Daughter’s Best Friend Who Was Rejected By Her Dad For Being Trans
In a video that has over 2.7 million views on TikTok, Mat Stevenson, an actor who played Adam Cameron in the popular Aussie soap opera “Home and Away,” signs a certificate stating that Belle Bambi is now part of the family. It was a wonderful gesture of support for a girl grieving over the loss of a parent.
Stevenson’s daughter, Grace Hyland, is a popular TikTok star with over 238,000 followers.
“My BFF’s dad left because she’s trans. So we did this: Dad is adopting her! He’s always supported me, and he wants to support Bambi, too. We’re sisters now!”
@grace.hylandd We’re sisters now! @bambifairy #trans #lgbt #foryou #adoption #family ♬ Opportunity – Quvenzhané Wallis
Stevenson’s decision to embrace his daughter’s friend after transitioning sets a wonderful example for other parents. Studies show that family rejection increases the odds of substance misuse and suicide attempts in transgender and gender non-conforming people.
LGBTQ youth who have parents who affirm their gender identity and sexual orientation are almost 50% less likely to attempt suicide than those who do not.
Bambi posted a personal video about the adoption on her TikTok account as well. The video begins with shots of her with her father who allegedly rejected her after transitioning. She looks obviously distressed about losing such an important person in her life just because she wanted to be herself. It’s impossible to imagine how much that hurts.
“Some days I think about how my dad left me because I’m trans,” Bambi says in the video.
“I’ve got something for you,” Stevenson says, holding up the adoption certificate. After signing the paper he gives Bambi a big kiss on the cheek.
“He adopted me,” Bambi wrote at the end of the video.
@bambifairy Finally a dad who accepts and loves me for who I am 💗🏳️⚧️ #dad #adopted #trans #tgirl #fyp #family ♬ sign of the times – favsoundds
We would like to congratulate the happy family, especially considering the fact that LGBTQ+ youth who have a family that affirms their gender identity and orientation are 50 percent less likely to harm themselves.
In compliance with the adoption, Bambi herself posted a TikTok video in which she thanked Stevenson for adopting her.
Source:dailymail.co.uk, upworthy.com, gucmakale.com