Resource Guide for Parents and Families of Transgender Children

How to support your transgender child with confidence in 2025 and beyond

Photo by Cory Woodward on Unsplash

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Since January 20, 2025, the political landscape of the United States has shifted dramatically, creating an increasingly unstable and emotionally charged environment for many transgender people—especially those under the age of eighteen. While a handful of trans voices continue to share their truths online, the broader reality tells a different story. Coming out has become more of a gamble than ever before, with transgender youth now facing the painful decision: should they confront the elephant in the room with their family, or quietly tuck it away for the foreseeable future?

Even if a family is ready to welcome that elephant with open arms, the question still remains:

How do I effectively support my transgender or gender-diverse child under this new administration?

Whether you are brand new to the transgender experience, looking to build a support network of fellow parents or looking to relocate, these resources are here to help guide, uplift and empower you and your child.

Editor’s Note: These resources will be updated on a regular basis. If there is a resource that you feel should be included here or should be removed, please reach out to Rey via e-mail: reyandthearchive@gmail.com.

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For Parents and Guardians Who Are New to LGBTQ+ Communities

These beginner-friendly resources will help you understand gender identity, terminology, and how to show up with unconditional love and affirmation.

1. Transgender Parent Guide
   Especially helpful for conservative or religious families; includes parent stories, FAQs, and affirming parenting strategies.

2. Transgender Children & Youth: Understanding the Basics
   A quick read from the Human Rights Campaign that draws a distinction about kids exploring their gender identity and answers to common concerns.

3. Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People
   A clear, kind resource that breaks down the basics of gender identity, names, pronouns, and more.

4. The Gender Wheel

   Provides a visual way for parents and young children to understand gender.

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Support Groups for Parents and Guardians

These organizations offer emotional support, peer connections, and guidance for parents of transgender youth.

1. PFLAG
   You can find local chapters near your area that offer peer support groups, educational materials and advocacy resources for families of LGBTQ+ youth.

2. Trans Families
   Virtual support groups for caregivers of trans youth, including specific groups for dads, BIPOC families, and more.

3. Mama Bears
   A national network of affirming moms with free care packages and online groups for parents of LGBTQ+ kids.

4. Gender Spectrum
   Offers free parent and caregiver groups, online events, and one-on-one consultations.

5. Trans Youth Equality Foundation (TYEF)
   Offers family programming, parent retreats, newsletters, and education.

6. Trans Youth Family Allies (TYFA)
   Advocacy and guidance for families navigating school systems, healthcare, and safety.

7. Stand with Trans
   Online parent groups, educational webinars, and resources for building affirming home environments.

8. Strong Family Alliance
   Offers a collection of real parent stories and tools specifically for parents who are struggling or newly navigating acceptance.

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Support Groups and Communities for your Transgender Child

These resources help trans and nonbinary youth find community, belonging, and emotional safety with their peers.

1. Q Chat Space
   Offers live-chat, facilitated support groups for LGBTQ+ youth aged 13–19. This is free to join and supervised by trained adults.

2. The Trevor Project

   Provides immediate support via phone, online chat and text messages with a trained counselor. The organization also offers TrevorSpace, an online social community that includes support groups and opportunities for friendships.

3. GenderCool Project
   A storytelling initiative celebrating transgender youth and their achievements. Great for showing your child positive role models.

4. It Gets Better Project
   An online storytelling platform that features videos and blogs from LGBTQ+ youth around the world.

5. Camp Indigo Point
   A free week-long summer camp for trans and nonbinary youth that is offered in various states, also includes virtual options.

6. Camp Brave Trails

   An LGBTQ+ leadership-focused summer camp for youth aged 12-17, which helps campers discover their people, place, and passion by fostering leadership skills, community building, self-realization, and service. Located in California, New York and Georgia.

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Legal Rights and Advocacy

These resources to help you understand and protect your child’s legal rights in school, healthcare, and public life.

1. GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
   Offers legal information and supports families navigating discrimination, school access, and healthcare coverage.

2. Gender Liberation Movement
   A justice-centered collective that advocates for bodily autonomy, safety, and dignity for all gender-diverse people, especially those who are most marginalized.

3. Lambda Legal
   Provides toolkits to help parents understand legal protections around name/gender marker changes, discrimination, and more.

4. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
   Guidance for youth and families on protections in schools, public accommodations, and more.

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Mental Health and Crisis Support Hotlines

These resources are for your child when they are in distress or if you need emotional support as a caregiver.

1. The Trevor Project
   A 24/7 suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ youth.
   Phone: (866) 488-7386
   Text: Text “START” to 678678

2. Trans Lifeline
   Peer-led crisis line by and for trans people. Parents can also access family support resources. También disponible en español.
   USA: (877) 565-8860
   Canada: (877) 330-6366

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Support for BIPOC Families

These organizations center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in affirming their transgender children.

1. Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement
   Focused on Latinx trans and queer communities; offers advocacy, community organizing, and family education.

2. National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)
   A directory of affirming therapists for QTBIPOC individuals and families.

3. NAESM Inc.
   Serves Black LGBTQ+ people with a focus on health, wellness, and family support programs.

4. HEARD Alliance

   Offers culturally competent resources on youth mental health and resilience with a BIPOC focus.

5. The Okra Project
   Offers healing, wellness, and care programs for Black transgender people, including youth and their families.

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Gender-Affirming Care Directory

Directories and resources for finding competent, inclusive, gender-affirming care near you.

1. WPATH Provider Directory
   Searchable international directory of healthcare professionals trained in transgender care.

2. Plume

   A transgender subscription-based telehealth platform that offers hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender affirming care

3. FOLX Health

   An LGBTQ+ subscription-based telehealth platform that offers gender-affirming care, PrEP and care navigation.

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Relocation Assistance

Some families may need to relocate for their child's safety, healthcare access, or legal protection. These organizations offer financial, legal, or logistical support resources:

1. Project Open Arms
   A mutual aid project of TRACTION that started in 2023 in response to the alarming increase in anti-trans legislation and rhetoric across the country.

2. Rainbow Railroad
   Offers emergency relocation support for LGBTQ+ people at risk, now including support for U.S. families under threat.

3. For the Gworls
   Mutual aid offering rent and relocation assistance to Black transgender people.

4. Trans Youth Emergency Project
   Provides 1-on-1 custom patient navigation services to unimpacted providers and supports families of transgender youth with emergency grants to help them travel for care.

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Picture Books for Transgender Children

1. I Am Jazz — Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings
   Based on the real-life experiences of Jazz Jennings, this book is a powerful introduction to being transgender and celebrating identity.

2. When Aidan Became a Brother — Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita
   A beautifully illustrated story about a transgender boy preparing to welcome a new sibling, exploring themes of identity and family love.

3. My Rainbow — DeShanna & Trinity Neal
   A Black transgender girl’s joyful story about finding the perfect rainbow wig with the help of her affirming mom.

4. Too Bright to See — Kyle Lukoff
   A ghost story layered with a moving narrative of a young trans boy’s discovery and acceptance of his identity.

5. I Wish You All the Best — Mason Deaver
   A heartfelt novel about a nonbinary teen who is kicked out by their parents and begins a new life with the support of friends.

Further Reading for Parents and Guardians

These books offer compassion, education, advice, and real-life experiences.

1. The Transgender Child — Stephanie Brill & Rachel Pepper
   A foundational guidebook for understanding and supporting trans children.

2. Raising the Transgender Child — Michele Angello & Alisa Bowman
   Practical tips for parenting a transgender child through every life stage.

3. Trans Bodies, Trans Selves — Laura Erickson-Schroth (Editor)
   A great resource for parents who want to go deeper into lived experiences, healthcare, and cultural dynamics across different identities.

4. The Every Body Book — Rachel E. Simon
   An inclusive sex education book for children aged 8–12, covering bodies, boundaries, and gender identity in affirming language.

5. Love Lives Here — Amanda Jette Knox
   A memoir from a mother of a trans child and a trans spouse, focusing on the journey of building an affirming home.

6. The Gender Creative Child — Diane Ehrensaft
   For parents navigating nonbinary or expansive gender identities in early childhood.

7. He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters — Schuyler Bailar

   Addresses essential topics such as the significance of pronouns, the realities of being transgender, and the life-affirming impact of gender-affirming healthcare.

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If you are a parent or guardian of a transgender or gender-diverse child reading this, please know that you are not alone in this journey. There is support out there for you, and I encourage you to take full advantage of the resources available on this page. Accepting help and leaning on community are powerful steps, especially in times like these when unity and compassion matter most.

Your love, curiosity, and willingness to learn can be the difference between surviving and thriving for your child.

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