Mom Moved To Tears Seeing Her Trans Daughter In A Suit

In a heartfelt moment from a '2nd Try' content, Cookie Perez was moved to tears when she saw her trans daughter, Ash, wearing a suit for the first time.

Cookie tearfully remarked "Pogi boy," and she was right, Ash looked dapper in it. But it wasn't just the sight of the suit that stirred her emotions—it was the pure joy of seeing her daughter confident and happy in their own skin. "I wish [your] Dad was here to see you," she told Ash. "I am so proud."

ALSO READ: Different Is OK: Valuable Lessons From a Family Who Embraced Son's Homosexuality

Many in the comments were moved by the moment, appreciating Cookie's wholesome reaction. Others highlighted how lucky the 2nd Try cast member was to have such a supportive mom, noting that this isn’t the case for all trans people.

Generally, the story of LGBTQ youth has long been viewed through a lens of tragedy—of queer kids coming out to parents who reject them and kick them out of the house, of conversion therapy, of facing hate crimes, and of grappling with suicidal thoughts.

While, unfortunately, some queer kids are still not accepted or even tolerated, there have been more uplifting stories of children (and adults!) being wholeheartedly embraced for who they are—just as it should be.

"Loving your transgender children should be just loving them for who they are. Give them encouragement [and] understanding, then [you'll] see, there's a closer relationship [within] families because of the acceptance," said Cookie in the video. She affirmed, "The future, it's so much greater. What a future they have."

So, if you have a trans child and aren’t sure where to start in offering support, begin with active listening. Understand their perspective and create a safe space for them to express themselves. If they’re not out, an expert has emphasized that parents should avoid making assumptions and instead give their child space to express their thoughts and feelings.

Ash Perez and their mom Cookie Perez

Ash (he/they) is a queer writer of Cuban, Korean, and Filipino descent. Those who were chronically online in the 2010s might remember Ash from their days at the online platform BuzzFeed, where they worked from 2013 to 2018. Earlier this year, Ash joined the cast of 2nd Try, a branded subscription streaming service launched by The Try Guys. 

The 35-year-old has been sharing updates about their transition journey on Instagram, featuring photos with their supportive Filipina mom, Cookie, highlighting the close relationship they share.

Click here for more tips on supporting your queer kids.