UPCOMING EVENTS
Parent Access to
Gender Expression Support (PAGES)
July
Pride Foundation Awards TransActive Education & Advocacy receives $5,000 grant from the Pride Foundation to support their innovative and ground-breaking training, support and advocacy services to transgender and gender non-conforming children, youth and their families.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 22, 2010 – TransActive Education & Advocacy has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Pride Foundation. The grant will be used to further expand services that provide much needed support to improve the quality of life of transgender and gender non-conforming children, youth and their families through education, services, advocacy and research.
“This grant is such a validation of the work we do at TransActive and it will help us by providing the security we needed to maintaining our new office location near the Gateway District in Portland," said Jenn Burleton, TransActive Executive Director.
Jeffrey Hedgepeth, Grants Program Director for Pride Foundation said:
“TransActive’
It's one of the first things a parent wonders about their unborn child...
Is "it" a boy, or a girl?
And once the child's birth sex is assigned, the baby ceases being an "it" and becomes a he or a she, a son or daughter.
But what if the child's assigned birth sex (boy OR girl) doesn't match their internal gender identity? What if your "son" is - at the very core of their being, a girl? And what if your "daughter" is, in truth, a boy?
In that case your child, or a child you know, just might be transgender.
Like intelligence and personality, it's not possible to know a child's gender identity until we get to know them? Perhaps even more importantly, before they get to know themselves?
If we waited a few years before locking children into a gender identity they may not feel is right, might we be more open to the possibility of a child being transgender?
 | Please help support TransActive's work on behalf of transgender and gender non-conforming children, youth and their families with a tax-deductible donation of any amount by check, money order, monthly bank transfer and...  |
Transgender children are often plagued by the disapproval of others regarding their gender identity or expression given the dissonance between societal standards and their personal feelings about their gender. Determining whether your child may be transgender is a delicate subject and needs to be approached with sensitivity, understanding and an open mind.
The most important thing for you, your family and friends to know is that there is nothing wrong with your child. Furthermore, there is nothing you or your family did or did not do that would have caused this. Some research points to a genetic component that may influence the formation of gender identity independent of anatomical development.1
Be aware and supportive of how a child experiences or declares their gender identity.
Look for persistent and consistent gender identity expression rather than temporary, incident-based behavior or preferences.
Liking "boy" or "girl" things is very different from saying; "I AM a boy" or "I AM a girl".
Transgender children experience their gender identity as deeply and authentically as cisgender children. Understanding and accepting that will insure healthier outcomes for these children and their families.
Requiring or expecting them to suppress or conceal their internal gender identity will not result in a change to that identity. It will only result in a loss of self-esteem, anxiety, depression... or wors
Look for opportunities to follow the child’s lead in creating environments where their internal gender identity and external gender expression can be in sync.
This may include use of gender appropriate pronouns and perhaps, facilitating a social gender transition.
Be open to a transgender child’s potential need for not only social but physical congruence.
This may include puberty blocking & cross-sex hormones once they reach adolescence.
Communicate:
Speak with school teachers or day care workers for feedback on how your child relates to their schoolmates. Inquire about or any teasing. bullying or possibly hurtful labels being placed on them.
Talk to your child about their aspirations and take note of signs of depression, anxiety or low self-esteem. Your child may feel shame, discomfort or embarrassment at sharing these feelings with others. Give them the opportunity to express their feelings freely and safely.
Consult:
Schedule an appointment for your child to speak with a therapist experienced in childhood gender identity development.
AVOID therapists that believe your child’s gender identity can or should be changed to be more conforming.
TransActive provides education, advocacy and support services to gender non-conforming and transgender children, youth and their families. We work directly with schools, PTO/PTA's, healthcare providers, social service agencies, colleges and universities, the legal and judicial profession and other community organizations.
Whether it be for your child or a child you know, we encourage you to explore our website for the information and support you seek.
Gender non-conforming and transgender children and youth need unconditional love, acceptance and support. Given those things, they will have the opportunity to grow into healthy and happy people. Like any child, they will be able to pursue their dreams, express their creativity and develop their intellect in positive ways.
Click below for information on our parent/caregiver support group!
1. Biological Psychiatry, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 28 October 2008: L. Hare, P. Bernard, F. Sanchez, P. Baird, E. lain, T. Kennedy, V. Harley
