I'm new on this thread as I usually only post on Jonathan's twin, Gabriella Lindley's thread but I just seen his new IGTV and I had to comment on this thread.
It's clear that his family has some personal trauma that needs to be worked through but I strongly believe this should be done in private with a therapist, nott aired publicly for profit.
Much like when someone who has a damaged relationship with food/eating disorders shouldn't be commenting on or giving diet advice until their healed, someone with mental health issues shouldn't be commenting on or giving advice about mental health issues until they've overcome their own issues.
I'm reluctant to speak about my personal life for fear that Jonathan will use it as inspiration but I am the partner of a transperson. They came out in their adult life about 4 years into our relationship. I have seen the ups and downs and the personal work that they have put in to come to terms with this. We are also an Irish couple so we've had to overcome a lot of "old-fashioned" and religious opinions and stigma so I can understand where Anna and Jonathan are coming from.
But in his IGTV, Jonathan says about not coming to the end of his journey yet. How can he be writing a book or speak about this "journey" like he is if he hasn't even come through it yet?
All I will say is that with gender dysphoria, things have to get worse before they get better. You have to tear yourself apart and rebuild yourself, your relationships will be tested, your beliefs and strengths will be tested. Considering Jonathan is a father (and a very public one at that) he should tread very carefully otherwise it will be his kids sitting on long phone calls catching up for the first time in years because they all ran away because they're parents f*cked them up.
Families have trauma cycles so unless you break that cycle, it will continue into your own family. Growing up in a poor Irish household, this was very clear for me. I was damaged by my mother who was damaged because her mother was damaged because her mother was damaged and so on. But I've made a huge step on recognising this cycle and I am doing all I can to break it and heal so that I won't pass it on to my children when the time comes.
Jonathan, if your reading this, perhaps don't jump the gun with this one, don't put the house before the cart. You should actually experience this journey fully before you make just public and life altering decisions.
Soz for the rant, I'm off back to Gabz thread and her opurashun prep
