I wouldn't say you're naive, it's a subject most people don't know a lot about. The fact you asked questions and want to know about it is good.
I think it's amazing they've been so supportive, and the school as well. My sister is 23 and has Gender Dysphoria so this is an issue that is close to home. A lot of people don't think a person can know from a young age but I know that not to be the case. My sister knew her whole life, came out to my Mum at around 8 and the rest of us a few years later. She is due to have her gender reassignment surgery next year and I'm so happy for her. The discrimination and bullying she has had throughout her life (school was the worst) is disgusting and it makes me so angry to think others go through it every day. She got punched in the face in a club last week as she got chatted up by a man. He punched her when it dawned on him what she was.
Any story that raises awareness and normalises this issue is great as far as I'm concerned although I'm not a fan of the Daily Mail (AT ALL) it's belittling quotation marks in the title. It's not something a lot of people encounter every day and it is perfectly acceptable and normal. They're just people at the end of the day, as we all are.