Father 'Adopts' His Transgender Daughter's Best Friend Who Was Rejected By Her Dad After Transitioning

Aug 20, 2021 by apost team

The world continues to evolve and become more accepting of all identities, but unfortunately. there are cases even today of people on the LGBTQI+ spectrum who are rejected and turned away from their families for simply expressing themselves and being who they are. It is a heartbreaking thing to have to go through, and many people struggle their entire lives to find a support system and family after such difficult circumstances. 

Thankfully, there are also positive stories on the internet that show love triumphs over ignorance and hatred, and one such story came out from Australia in August 2021. A trans woman was rejected by her father when she began transitioning, but thankfully, her friend's father stepped in and "adopted" her into his family. Her friend, Grace Hyland, is a trans woman herself and is the daughter of Aussie actor Mat Stevenson. 

Friends are naturally a big part of most people's lives, but it is a wonderful thing when we come across a friend who picks us up during the worst time of our lives and gives us something to hope for and hold onto. For some, friends are the family they never had and replace the familial relationships that they have been missing for a long time. 

This was the case for Belle Bambi, for whom Hyland was an incredible support system. Hyland's entire family stepping in to help Bambi shows that in some cases, blood is not always thicker than water, and the bonds we form through friendship can be life-changing. Read on to learn more about this beautiful story. 

Stevenson is best known for his role as Adam Cameron on long-running Australian soap Home and Away, a role he initially held between 1989 and 1994 before returning briefly in 1999 according to Digital Spy. He has been a major ally and source of support for his trans daughter, Grace Hyland since she came out as trans. Star Observer reported that he didn’t want his daughter “to become one of those statistics” given the high suicide rate among transgender teenagers. 

"Sadly, in this country, we have a really high adolescent suicide rate and it’s a tragedy. Trans-adolescents are 36 times more likely to self-harm, to commit suicide," Stevenson told The Sunday Project according to News.com.au. "There’s a distinct correlation between lack of support and self-harm."

Hyland also told her own side of her story, "I came out at 12 and then I went through a gradual transition until I was 14, to grow my hair out, to get my name change sorted, to sort out my [puberty] blockers. And then by the time I was 14, I was fully presenting as Grace to the public and at school." 

Through everything, Stevenson has been an incredibly supportive father, even though he had a few difficulties at the beginning. "So, it was a little awkward at first now calling Grace sweetheart instead of mate. Really, I guess feminising my approach," Stevenson said.

He added, "As a bloke, it was pretty awkward to go to my male friendship group and say my son’s now my daughter, but then I look at the challenges and the difficulty of sharing that in comparison with the challenges that Grace sailed through and they pale into insignificance." 

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The love he showed for his daughter is immense, so when Hyland's friend Bambi was in trouble, he immediately stepped in to help. Hyland described the story in a TikTok video, which has since gained thousands of views. 

She wrote in the video, "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!" 

Bambi also uploaded her own video, where she wrote in the description, "finally a dad who accepts and loves me for who I am." She continued in the video, "Some days I think about how my dad left me because I’m trans," and is seen sitting alone in her room. At this point, Stevenson shows up and tells her, "I’ve got something for you," and shows her a symbolic certificate of adoption. 

Though the certificate is not legally binding, it is a symbol of the support and love that Steveson has extended to Bambi. Star Observer reported that Bambi and Hyland have amassed over two hundred thousand social media followers between them, and both of them have shared the public spotlight in recent years where they discuss their experiences, triumphs and tribulations of growing up trans in Australia candidly.

News.com.au reported that Hyland had a few words for parents of trans kids, saying, "And then for parents who are scared for their child’s future, just know that with your support. They can have such a happy life, but they really do need your support."

What do you think of this father's selfless and loving act? Let us know, and pass this onto others as well. It might just make their day.