What It's Like For One Dad Whose Son Says: 'I Want To Become A Woman'

What It's Like For One Dad Whose Son Says: 'I Want To Become A Woman'

Recently, a 22-year-old named Zach made a confession to his father, Gary: "I want to become a woman."

"I actually lost my mind," says Gary about his reaction when he heard Zach's news. "I was completely caught off guard ... He's supposed to be a man!"

Gary, who is biologically Zach’s uncle but has been raising Zach since he was two days old and considers him his son, says he's been unable to sleep or eat, and even feels sick to his stomach envisioning Zach as a woman. "It makes me feel like I failed in raising a man," he explains. "I love Zach no matter what, but I don't know if I can take it. It's very tough. I feel like Zach has left me."

In the video above, Dr. Phil asks Gary, "What do you say to yourself about this?"

"I failed," Gary responds. "I just feel like I lost him, like he's gone."

When Dr. Phil asks if Gary has made any effort to educate himself about what it means to be transgender, Gary admits, "I don't know how to understand it ... It's not OK. I love Zach, I don't know how to take him as a girl. It just seems like I failed."

On Thursday's episode of Dr. Phil, Gary meets Zach as Steph -- watch more here.

Also on HuffPost:

1. Defining Transgenderism

15 Things To Know About Being Transgender By Nicholas M. Teich

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