Resources for Parents & Families

It is important, for the wellbeing of children and teens who are dealing with gender identity issues, to build and maintain a successful support system. That system includes the families, educators and professionals in their lives. These resources offer insight and information about your role in that system.

Educational Brochures Provided by the American Psychological Association

• Answers to Your Questions about Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression
• Fact Sheet: Gender Diversity and Transgender Identity in Children
• Fact Sheet: Gender Diversity and Transgender Identity in Adolescents

Websites

• Gender-Diverse & Transgender Children
  The American Academy of Pediatrics explains, it is natural for parents to ask if it is "just a phase." But, there is no easy answer.
• Parenting a Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming Child or Adolescent, Johanna Olson, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This series of short videos provides an overview of treatment options for transgender adolescents. Common questions regarding the health and development of transgender and gender nonconforming children are also answered.

• Family Acceptance Project: Family Information. This site provides information and support for families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth that was developed based on research examining the role of family support in LGBT health and development.

Advocacy and Support-based Organizations

These organizations provide a variety of services and support, including additional online resources. Connecting with an organization in your area can be helpful when advocating for your child’s educational, medical, social, and extracurricular needs. Many of these organizations also host support groups, activities, and regional conferences for children, adolescents, and their families.

Monroe County

• Out Alliance
• Genesee Valley Gender Variants
• Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

National

• TransYouth Family Allies
• TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation
• Gender Spectrum
• Trans Youth Equality Foundation (New England based)
• PFLAG – Support for Transgender People and Their Families (includes local chapter locator)

Summer Camps

• Camp Aranu’tiq
• Trans Youth Equality Foundation Camps and Retreats

Books

• The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals
• Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents
• Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children
• Transitions of the Heart: Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children