TransActive Education & Advocacy provides the necessary support to improve the quality of life of transgender and gender non-conforming children, youth and their families through education, services, advocacy and research.

We believe every child has the right to mature, live and express their gender as they experience it.

We work with families, schools, social service agencies, health care providers and others in order to facilitate meeting the underserved needs of these amazing children and youth.

Children, Youth & Gender

Does your child experience their sense of being a boy or a girl in a way that is not typical or expected?

Are they unhappy or depressed when they are unable to play with toys or dress in clothing that is commonly associated with a gender other than the one they are assumed to be?

If the answer to these questions is "yes", then your child may be gender non-conforming or transgender.

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. There is compelling scientific and clinical evidence that the foundation for every person's gender identity is formed prior to birth and that it most likely is the result of a complex series of hormonal and chemical influences on brain development. Some research points to a genetic component that may influence the formation of gender identity independent of anatomical development.¹

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the position that children usually develop a fixed gender identity by 2-3 years of age, after which they emphatically perceive themselves as being either a boy or a girl.²

We Can Help

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.

If the world will respect them for who they are today, without projecting upon them its fears, phobias, prejudices and judgments about who they might become tomorrow, we will have given them the gift we all desired when we were young; the freedom to be a child who is loved simply for being who they are.

1. Biological Psychiatry, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 28 October 2008: L. Hare, P. Bernard, F. Sanchez, P. Baird, E. Vilain, T. Kennedy, V. Harley
2. Carver PR, Yunger JL, Perry DG. Gender Identity and Adjustment in Middle Childhood: Sex Roles. 2003;49:95-109