Information for Parents and Caregivers of Trans Youth

This page was made in collaboration with Grayson Stevens.
Follow for more great information @transgender_together

Name Change

Some kids will want to keep their original name. Others will want a different one. Some will want help choosing their new name. Others will want to decide all on their own
It can be a fun and creative process to choose a new name for oneself, and it can also feel stressful and overwhelming for some
Using a trans youth's chosen name has been shown to significantly lower their risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and depressive symptoms
For information on legal name changes in the u.s., visit: transequality.org

Presentation Changes

Some youth will want to keep their presentation the same. Others will want New clothes. Some will want to change their hair. Some will want to wear makeup or engage in hair removal. Some will want to bind or tuck
It's really important to honor someone's gender identity and pronouns regardless of their presentation. Trans people don't owe you gender performance
Trans youth with supportive parents report significantly higher satisfaction with life, self-esteem, and mental health when compared to unsupported youth
For information on binding and tucking safety, visit: pointofpride.org

Pronouns

Using the pronouns that your child goes by is a sign of love and respect
If you make a mistake and misgender your child, don't panic! Briefly apologize and repeat the sentence with the correct pronoun
Using a trans youth's pronouns has been shown to significantly lower their risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and depressive symptoms
To practice using someones pronouns, visit: practicewithpronouns.com

Hormone Blockers

Not everyone wants to medically transition, but for those who do, puberty Blockers and gender-affirming hormones are life-saving healthcare
The most commonly used puberty blockers are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, which inhibit the release of sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen
Studies show that pubertal suppression for trans adolescents is associated with decreased lifetime suicidal ideation and overall better mental health outcomes
To learn more about hormone blockers, visit: phsa.ca

Surgery

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health has standards of care, and no one is performing surgery on minors without professional assessment
Some children may explicitly discuss wanting surgery or to be rid of certain body parts from an early age. If this occurs, talk with your child about their needs and ways you can best support them until surgery is possible
In a 2015 survey of trans adults in the U.S., 25% reported that they had undergone at least one gender-affirming surgery and many more reported wanting surgery in the future
To learn more about gender-affirming surgery, visit: transcare.ucsf.edu

Fertility Concerns

Transgender individuals may choose to undergo fertility preservation before going on hormones and/ or having surgery if having biological children is a long-term goal
It is important to consider that your child may not want biological children. They are not obligated to, and they may know this about themselves at an early age
Talk with your child about how they would like to proceed with this process and if having biological children is important to them. Discuss alternative family structures and parenting options too
To learn more about fertility and trans youth, visit: gendergp.com

Additional Resources