A Conservative Southern Mother Talks Transgender Acceptance

Debi Jackson is not the type of LGBT activist to which we've grown accustomed. That's precisely why her campaign to encourage others to accept trans children -- as she and her husband did with their own daughter -- is so powerful.

"When I tell our daughter's story, I hear the same uninformed comments over and over again," Debi begins her speech in Kansas City last summer. "So I'd like to address some of those now. One: We are liberals pushing a gay agenda. Nope. Sorry, I'm a conservative Southern Baptist Republican from Alabama."

Unwitting activists, the Jacksons wanted to support their child, which evolved into a wider goal to spread understanding and awareness throughout society, regardless of religious or political affiliation. Debi Jackson was recently interviewed by GLAAD, and they've published the video as part of their #GotYourBack campaign.

In the video, Debi remembers the massive shift the family witnessed after embracing their daughter's identity. From acting out and being quite negative all the time, Debi says that after switching pronouns and taking her shopping for new clothes: "She was sunshine and sparkles."

Watch the interview below: