“And that it doesn’t mean that we need to treat it medically in all cases, but it does mean that we as a society need to make space for that.” “We as a culture just need to lean into the fact that there is gender diversity among us,” Dr. But nearly one-quarter of the adults in the surveys who said they were transgender identified as “gender nonconforming.” The surveys, created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, did not ask younger teenagers about nonbinary or other gender identities, which also have been rising in recent years. Goepferd, who is nonbinary, noted that many teenagers would not necessarily want or need hormones or surgeries to transition to another gender, as was typical of older generations. The notion of what it means to live as a transgender person is also shifting. “And, generationally, gender has become a part of someone’s identity that is more socially acceptable to explore.” Angela Goepferd, medical director of the Gender Health Program at Children’s Minnesota hospital, who was not involved in the new analysis. You have a child who is changing the world just by being themselves.“It’s developmentally appropriate for teenagers to explore all facets of their identity - that is what teenagers do,” said Dr. You have a child who knows who they are in a way many of us struggle to articulate.
#TRANSGENDER CHILDREN EVERYWHERE HOW TO#
The guidance for affirming care from the American Academy of Pediatrics means more pediatricians are learning how to support our children, and the HRC has an Interactive Map to find qualified practitioners as well. Find affirming health careĪccess to gender affirming health care is a hurdle many trans people face. Create a Gender Support Plan to ensure your child knows who they can turn to and what to do in the event they are confronted with bigotry. Request training from organizations such as HRC’s Welcome Schools. Meet with the school leaders and teachers. Schools are a critical piece of the support puzzle. Get ready to advocateīe prepared to ensure your child is respected and safe wherever they go. It is not the job of our trans children to make us feel better about our mistakes. If you make a mistake, correct yourself and move forward. How would it feel if people consistently got them wrong? If you are having a hard time switching pronouns - practice, practice, practice. Explore book lists and find stories that your child will enjoy. Our book is one such story, but there are many, many others. Not sure where to start? Reach out to us - we will use our network to get you connected.įind books where your child can see themselves in the characters. Join online groups or find a local chapter of an organization such as PFLAG or GLSEN. Get involved in local Pride or other LGBTQ+ programming so that your child can meet other trans youth.
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As parents, we have an obligation to educate ourselves about the needs of our children and provide them with every opportunity for happiness and success in life. In our minds, we didn’t have another option. But we knew, without a doubt, that we would provide a safe and loving path for our child to realize their own happiness. Yes, there was a hurricane of emotions and questions - our own and others’. Gone was our shy child, who now pronounced, “I’m Ellie! E -L- L- I -E!” And in Ellie, who uses they/them pronouns, we saw smiles and laughter. The fact that at this very moment everything was about to change. The "Frozen" obsession and the subsequent six months of wearing an Elsa dress on top of or underneath all outfits. The kid who didn’t like hugs and threw tantrums. The withdrawn child who wouldn’t talk to anyone.
#TRANSGENDER CHILDREN EVERYWHERE MOVIE#
In the second that followed, it was as if we were watching a movie of the previous two years of our child’s life on fast-forward. Ellie, who uses they/them pronouns, revealed their true identity on their fourth birthday. “We hope you had the very best birthday, our sweet Princess Boy.” Upon hearing those words, our child stopped, turned, looked Vanessa in the eye and firmly said, “Mom, I’m not a boy.