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Supporting Every Journey:  

Empowering Families of Transgender & Gender-Expansive Youth and Young Adults to Thrive Together 

Together we honor and celebrate the richness of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Youth (TGEY) through understanding, acceptance, and empowerment

If you are here, you care enough to learn and that gesture is invaluable

 Supporting Your Transgender &
Gender-Expansive Loved One

​This website provides resources tailored to the needs of families navigating the complexities of gender identity, offering insights, tools, and affirming guidance to foster connection, resilience, and well-being for your child and family as a whole.​​​​

​Let's Talk About Risks​​

  • Suicide: Loss of family support increases the risk of suicidal ideation and attempts among TGEY (Mustanski et al., 2013).  TGEY are twice as likely to attempt suicide as cisgender and heterosexual youth. Fifty percent of transgender youth have attempted suicide, compared to 23% of cisgender and heterosexual youth (Thoma et al., 2019).

  • Homelessness: TGEY lacking family support experience a 38% higher risk for homelessness compared to 23% of cisgender LGBTQ+ youth (The Trevor Project, 2022).

  • Loss of Family Support: TGEY without family support are also at greater risks for disengaging from educational settings and employment (The Trevor Project, 2022).

  • Loss of Healthcare Access: As of 2024, 25 U.S. states have passed legislation that prohibits youth under the age of 18 from receiving gender-affirming care.  Legislative bans on puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy places youth at risks for increased suicidality, increases barriers to identity development, and promotes healthcare disparities, stigma, and discrimination (Human Rights Campaign, 2024).

How Can You Help?

Mental Health &
Reducing Risk

Providing a Safe &
Affirming Environment

Building Self-Esteem & Confidence

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Stigma, discrimination, and lack of support and acceptance increase the risks for depression, anxiety, suicidality, and non-suicidal self-injury for TGEY compared to their peers.  Your affirmation is a powerful tool in promoting well-being and saving their lives. 

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Embracing your child's identity is not just a gesture of love-it's a lifeline. Modeling acceptance & inclusivity creates a safe and affirming space at home but also inspires others to do the same.  

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Self-esteem & confidence begins with believing in your loved ones. In celebrating their uniqueness, you nurture a deep sense of self-worth that empowers them to grow into their full potential with confidence and resilience.

Navigating Educational Challenges

Encouraging Access to Gender-Affirming Healthcare

Legal & Social Advocacy

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Navigating educational challenges can be overwhelming for your child. Your guidance and advocacy are vital, as you help pave the way for academic confidence, personal growth and success without fear of discrimination.

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Gender-affirming healthcare is essential to the well-being of your child as it nurtures their mental and physical health and validates that they deserve to thrive in a body and life that reflects who they are. For TGEY, gender-affirming care is life saving, protective and essential for long-term health and safety (Green et. al, 2022).

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Legal & social advocacy is vital in ensuring safety, dignity, and rights for your child.  You become their fiercest ally when helping to create a world where they can live authentically.  Advocacy is love in motion, not simply action.

Faith & Gender Identity

Race & Gender Identity

Reducing Social Isolation

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Embracing your loved one's identity within the context of your spiritual beliefs shows them they are whole, loved & worthy of acceptance. By supporting their journey, you foster a sense of belonging that honors their spirit and true self.  Faith and gender identity can absolutely coexist in harmony (Benson et. al, 2018) .

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Asa parent, you want your child to feel safe and supported. TGEY from marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds often face discrimination based on both gender identity and race, impacting their well-being, acceptance, healthcare, and safety compared to less vulnerable groups  (Milar et. al, 2022). 

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Reducing isolation for your child begins with connection. By fostering open communication, seeking supportive community, and celebrating their identity, you help them feel seen and understood. Together, you create a space where connection overcomes isolation and belonging becomes a reality. 

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"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and the road to family unity begins with one act of kindness." - Lao Tau

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