Lucas, 17, of Cumming was marching in his first Trans March with his mother and little brother, 1, who slept peacefully in a stroller despite the blaring megaphones and music surrounding him.
“I came out to my mom last year. I came out to my best friend in the sixth grade,” Lucas said. “I knew for a long time I was trans, basically my whole life.”
Lucas’ mother, Elizabeth, said she was proud to march with her son.
“I’m here to support him because I love him. I’m very proud that he’s been able to come out,” she said. “I just want to support him and love him anyway I can … and this is what makes him happy.”
Another mom was marching with her son and the two made matching t-shirts made the night before. She also carried a sign that said “I love my trans son.”
Petra Doan, 57, and her friend, Margeaux, 62, traveled from Tallahassee, Fla., to attend Atlanta Pride as well as participate in the Trans March.
“I came out in Atlanta 20 years ago as a trans woman. Now we have Transgender Tallahassee, but it feels like coming home [to be in Atlanta],” Doan said.
They both were heartened to see so many young people participating in the march.
“It took us a long time to transition, through bad break ups. It was hard in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. It’s a great time now that people can be themselves. And hopefully they can be themselves a lot earlier in life without all the baggage,” said Margeaux.
