As parents of transgender children, we can only know what it's like to be transgender through the lens of our children's experiences. While I can write extensively about what it means to be the parent of a transgender child, I don't know what it's like to be transgender.
Each year, from November 13-19, before Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, people and organizations around the United States observe Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility of transgender people and address the issues members of the transgender community face (GLAAD).
While I can bring awareness to topics regarding parents of transgender children, I can't speak to matters that directly impact transgender people.
In the past, I have had transgender people guest post on my blog and share their experiences during Transgender Awareness Week. This year, I would like to direct your attention to transgender people that I listen to and learn from so that you can find new resources to support your child better.
Folks to follow and where to find them:
Rebecca Minor (She/They)- "Rebecca Minor, LICSW is a queer, Jewish clinician, consultant, and educator specializing in the intersection of trauma, gender, and sexuality. As a Gender Specialist, Rebecca partners with trans and gender nonconforming youth through their journey of becoming, and is a guide to their parents in affirming it." You can find Rebecca on Instagram at @gender.specialist, on Facebook @RebeccaMinorLICSW, and on the Internet at https://www.genderspecialist.com.
Flint Del Sol (He/Him) - Flint is a neurodivergent Transmasc and queer veteran high school teacher turned advocate who " trains doctors and healthcare workers across the country about queer and trans considerations in cancer care, teachers and parents about the developmental and cultural needs of trans youth, and businesses and organizations about how leading with empathy is the most powerful tool in bridging gaps that have been manufactured to divide us." Flint lives in California with his husband, where they raise a lot of chickens. You can find Flint on Instagram at @justflintisfine, on Facebook here, and on the Internet at https://www.delsolcoaching.com.
The Queer Trans Project (They/Them): The Queer Trans Project is a Black and Trans-led nonprofit that "provides gender-empowering resources to LGBTQ+ individuals all across the world." You can find them on Instagram at @queertransproject, on Facebook at @queertransproject, and on the Internet at https://queertransproject.org.
Delia Sosa (They/Them): Delia is an "Intersex, Transgender, Nonbinary, and Genderfluid medical student, activist, and educator." Their work focuses explicitly on "creating inclusive, accessible, intersectional, healthcare spaces for trans and intersex people." You can find Delia on Instagram at @enbydelia and on the Internet at https://www.deliamsosa.com.
Sarah Kate (SK) Smigiel (She/They): SK is a "nonbinary creator, educator, author, and activitst." SK says, "My page is about love and meeting people where they're at in their education journey." You can find SK on Instagram @justsaysk and on Facebook at @sarah.smigiel.
Maya (She/Them) and Spencer (They/Them) Ariel: Maya and Spencer are a deaf, transgender married couple on a gender-creative parenting journey with their two children. "As strong advocates of American Sign Language, we create content about being a family that uses ASL. We also share a bit here and there in narrative and video form about raising our CODA (children or child of deaf adults) gender creatively. Finally, we wish to emulate what it is like to be Deaf and queer parents." You can find Maya and Spencer on Instagram at @thearielseries and on the Internet at https://thearielseries.com.
Dani Chase (They/Them): Dani is a nonbinary person who is "passionate about advocating for my community." They do this by "creating brave spaces for ally learning, consulting, public speaking, and more." Dani can be found on Instagram at @dawnofdani and on the Internet at https://mxdchase.com.
These are just some of the many transgender people you could learn from. I hope you have found some new folks to follow.
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