The support we’ve have had as my son transitions into a girl has been overwhelming… teachers and pupils have been great

Wishaw councillor Rosa Zambonini this week told how the public have given their backing after she announced that her son was transitioning into a girl.

In the short video released last week on Twitter, Rosa and daughter Charlie, formerly Wesley, pledged support to the TIE (Time for Inclusive Education) campaign - a programme to promote education encompassing topics and issues relating to the LGBTI community in Scotland.

Since then the video has gone viral and 13-year-old Charlie has had the support of her teachers and classmates at Dalziel High School in Motherwell.

Yesterday (Tuesday) Rosa, 34, told the Wishaw Press:“Everyone at the school has been great.

“I was a bit concerned when Charlie came out but the school’s head teacher has been there every step of the way to make her life easier which is such a positive.

“The behaviour of other pupils has also been very encouraging.

“These days kids are a lot more aware of LGBTI issues whereas when I was at school it was very taboo. You rarely hear good-news stories about kids these days but I can’t speak highly enough of the kids at the school.

“Charlie has to be given the chance to adjust to her new life and the video was used to support the campaign which is doing great work.”

The video, which was uploaded to Twitter, has been received warmly.

In the video, Charlie offers words of support to other youngsters facing issues about the sexuality or gender.

She says:“I know there are a lot of people out there like me, a lot of people in the LGBT community who are strugglng to talk to their parents, their friends or anyone really and they might be crying in their beds at night. They just need to talk to somoene.

“At school they are getting bullied or gossiped about. It is just horrible.”

Many replies praised Rosa for her support, others commented on how brave Charlie is for going public.

Rosa said:“I’ve been really pleased with the reaction. As with any parent my first priority is to protect my daughter.

“But she was also pleased with the support she has been given.

“Several charities have been in touch and said they have received a number of calls and emails from young people who want to come out to their family, which is a good thing.”