Trans 101
The Children's National Medical Center through their Outreach Program for Children with Gender-Variant Behaviors and their Families has published a booklet.
Even though this booklet is primarily geared to parents with young children, several of the issues it addresses pertain to older children as well. Every parent, teacher, social worker... anyone who works with children should read it.
Some pearls of wisdom inside:
Question traditional assumptions.
Do not automatically accept traditional
assumptions about social gender roles and sexual orientation. Learn to separate society’s judgments from the love you have for your child. Do not let other people’s critical opinions of what is right and wrong come between you and your child.
Examine your feelings and learn to accept your child.
You and other family members may feel uncomfortable and ashamed of your child’s interests and behaviors. This is common early on. Take time to figure out where your feelings are coming from. You may have to adjust your dreams of how you expected parenting and your family to be.
Dispelling myths, educating people, and providing human connections are primary goals of the INTRAA Speakers Bureau. Since its inception in October 2003, the Speakers Bureau has provided over 100 panels comprised of intelligent, informed transgender speakers to universities and community and professional groups throughout the state. The typical panel has been comprised of three to four panelists, a moderator, and an audience of 30 to 40 people.
