From Stigma to Support: A Mother’s Journey to Embracing Her Trams Son in The Trevor Project’s “Learn With Love”

In the latest installment of The Trevor Project’s acclaimed “Learn With Love” documentary series, viewers are introduced to the real-life journey of Haylin, a marriage and family therapist from Honolulu, and her son Mat, a transgender teenager. The film, titled “Learn With Love: Haylin and Mat,” offers a candid, nuanced look at the complexities of parental acceptance and the transformative power of open dialogue within families navigating LGBTQ+ identities .

Haylin describes her upbringing as “super ultraconservative Christian,” a background that initially shaped her understanding of acceptance. When Mat came out in fifth grade, first as gay or bisexual and later as a transgender male, Haylin believed she was being supportive. “I really felt like I was being so progressive,” she says in the documentary . Yet, she admits to imposing limits—such as prohibiting Mat from wearing shirts with LGBTQ+ slogans to church—revealing the gaps between intention and true affirmation.

The documentary does not shy away from these moments of friction. A particularly pivotal incident occurred when Mat challenged his mother’s restrictions, expressing that she was asking him to hide a core part of himself. “You’re expecting me to hide a certain part of myself,” Mat told Haylin, prompting her to confront whether her acceptance was conditional. This moment, Haylin recalls, was a major turning point: “And that was a big turning point for me,” she says in the film .

The story of Haylin and Mat is not an isolated one, but rather part of a larger narrative highlighted by The Trevor Project—a leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. According to Nolan Scott, Senior Director of Marketing and Content at The Trevor Project, research shows that having even one accepting adult can significantly improve mental health outcomes and reduce suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth .

The “Learn With Love” series intentionally reaches out to parents, guardians, and families who may be uncertain but are willing to learn. The campaign’s focus is not on political action or fundraising, but on the “movable middle”—those with open minds and an earnest desire to support their loved ones . Through authentic storytelling, the series illustrates that affirming environments are not always the product of instant understanding, but often require ongoing education, honest conversations, and a willingness to confront personal biases.

Haylin’s experience exemplifies the intersection of faith and LGBTQ+ acceptance—a subject often fraught with tension in conservative religious communities. The documentary does not vilify Haylin’s background but instead presents her journey as one of evolution. By sharing her story, Haylin hopes to encourage other parents facing similar conflicts between long-held beliefs and their children’s authentic identities.

For Mat, these changes in his mother’s approach have made a world of difference. The film captures both the pain of feeling unseen and the relief that comes from genuine acceptance. This dynamic echoes the experiences of many transgender youth who report that family support—not just tolerance, but active affirmation—is essential for their well-being .

“Learn With Love: Haylin and Mat” forms part of a series that also features other transgender young people and their champions, including grandparents and chosen family members. The Trevor Project’s approach underscores that breakthroughs—moments of understanding and allyship—are as important to highlight as the persistent challenges facing transgender and nonbinary youth .

The documentary is available to stream on multiple platforms, including YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and major connected TV services such as Discovery+ and Disney+ . This broad distribution ensures the story reaches a diverse audience, including families who may be at the beginning of their own journeys toward acceptance.

The release of “Learn With Love: Haylin and Mat” comes at a time when transgender and nonbinary youth face increasing political and social attacks across the United States. The Trevor Project’s initiative is designed to counteract these negative forces by amplifying positive stories and providing resources for families and allies .

The organization encourages anyone supporting LGBTQ+ youth to seek out educational materials and connect with community resources. For those in crisis, The Trevor Project offers 24/7 support via phone, chat, and text, ensuring that help is always available .

As “Learn With Love” demonstrates, affirmation is a process—sometimes messy, often challenging, but always vital. Haylin’s willingness to confront her own limitations and grow in her acceptance of Mat serves as a testament to the power of education and empathy. For many LGBTQ+ families, this documentary offers hope and a roadmap for moving from good intentions to authentic support.

The series invites viewers to reflect on their own roles in fostering acceptance and to remember that, for LGBTQ+ youth, love and affirmation are not just ideals—they are lifelines.