November 7 is TransParent Day and Capital City Pride is celebrating! Recognized every year on the first Sunday of November, TransParent Day honors transgender parents, as well as parents of transgender children.
Let’s face it, parenting is a tough job (just ask your mom and dad). There’s no guidebook, no instruction manual telling parents how to raise a child. It comes with practice and patience, love and support. And most parents—well, all parents actually—make mistakes. Even on their best days, they question whether they’re doing things right, or at least right for their child/children.
But being a transgender parent or parenting a transgender child is on a different level. Parenting while navigating the complex issues of gender-expansivity, in addition to learning how to raise and take care of a child can be complicated and somewhat frustrating without help.
So, in the absence of a true parenting guidebook, where do you turn for answers? Thankfully, there are several local and national resources available to transgender parents, youth and their families.
Local Resources
Transformations Iowa — Transformations Iowa is a support group for transgender and non-binary people with meetings in Des Moines, Urbandale and Cedar Rapids.
Iowa Safe Schools — Iowa Safe Schools’ mission is to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment and communities for LGBTQ and allied youth through education, outreach, advocacy and direct services.
One Iowa — One Iowa educates all Iowans about the LGBTQ community by providing education, training and mentorship that ensures LGBTQ Iowans are respected in every facet and stage of their lives.
National Resources
TransParent — TransParent’s mission is to bring compassionate support to parents and caregivers navigating complex issues faced by gender-expansive individuals. They do it through connection, resources and visibility within the trans community.
Gender Spectrum – Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitivity and inclusivity by offering professional development, training programs and online groups for adults and youth in the United States.
Gender Diversity – Gender Diversity increases the awareness and understanding of the wide range of gender diversity in children, adolescents, and adults by providing family support, building community, increasing societal awareness, and improving the well-being for people of all gender identities and expressions.
Trans Youth Equality Federation — The Trans Youth Equality Federation was founded by the mother of a transgender child and offers support for transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex youth ages 2-18.
Trans Youth Family Allies (TYFA) — TransYouth Family Ally (TYFA) is an online resource for any person or organization who is supportive of trans, gender variant and gender questioning children and their families. TYFA empowers children and families by creating and supporting environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — The HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality National Council provides resources for parent advocates of transgender children. Downloads available on their website highlight transition-related care, public advocacy and supporting & caring for transgender youth.
PFLAG Transgender Resources — PFLAG offers links to several online resources regarding issues facing transgender youth and families including reading lists, health resources and faith-based literature, among others.