Resources for Trans/Gender Expansive (TGE) Children

TransKids Project is a longitudinal study (documenting experiences over time) of 50 transgender and gender expansive (TGE) kids and their families. Led by Principal Investigator, Dr. Katherine Kuvalanka, the research team is situated in the Department of Family Science and Social Work at Miami University in Ohio (not Florida). According to their website, “We are tracking these families’ well-being over time to identify factors in their lives that foster – and propose challenges to – their emotional, psychological, and overall well-being. The children were between the ages of six and 12 years old at Time 1 (data collected in 2011-2012), and we have collected three rounds of data so far.” This is one of the longest running research studies focused on TGE children and their families. Research from the Trans*Kids project has been used to inform custody battles involving TGE children.

Trans Youth Project is a longitudinal study following hundreds of children (ages 3-12) across the US and Canada who socially transitioned (pronouns, names, hair, clothing). Led by Principal Investigator, Dr. Kristina Olson, the research team is situated in the Psychology Department at Princeton University. According to a May 2022 New York Times article featuring findings from the Trans Youth Project, “Young children who transition to a new gender with social changes — taking on new names, pronouns, haircuts and clothing — are likely to continue identifying as that gender five years later, according to a report published on Wednesday, the first study of its kind.”

Dr. Jenifer McGuire, Professor of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, studies, “the well-being of young people who identify as transgender with a specific focus on ways that family environments can best support healthy development.” Dr. McGuire has several ongoing projects, including: the transgender youth study with transgender identified persons aged 16-26; the accompanying parent study with a subset of parents of transgender identified young adults; Dr. McGuire works with several gender clinics to examine elements of development among children and adolescents who seek services for gender reassignment; and, she collaborates with school and community groups to provide safe and developmentally appropriate contexts for youth who are questioning their gender or actively pursuing gender transition services.

Dr. Russ Toomey, Professor of Family Studies and Human Development at the University of Arizona, studies, “the processes by which sexual and gender minority youth thrive and are resilient despite the oppressive barriers and challenges they encounter in society. His research identifies both the individual-level mechanisms (e.g., coping, activism) and systems-level policies (e.g., inclusive school policies) that reduce the impacts of discrimination and contribute to optimal health, well-being, and educational outcomes.”

Celebrate Pride all Year! We received this resource recommendation from someone in the Raising Unicorns community. It provides varied ways in which LGBTQIA+ allies can affirm and support LGBTQIA+ folx all year long by educating, advocating, and just keeping the Pride conversation going outside the confines of the month of June.

The Ultimate Guide to Resources for LGBTQ+ Students provides advice and suggested resources geared specifically towards students in their college searches. This resource was recommended to Raising Unicorns by an LGBTQ+ youth group.

The Coming out Handbook created by the The Trevor Project was recently released. It is an amazing resource in terms of understanding the coming out process regarding gender and sexual orientation, as well as our broader understanding of gender and sexual orientation.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out this wonderful resource from The Trevor Project focused on creating safer spaces in schools for LGBTQ youth. For more information on creating emotionally and physically safe schools for LGBTQ children and youth, also visit GLSEN and The Gay Straight Alliance Network.

PFLAG “PFLAG is here to provide support, information, and resources for LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies.”

The Trevor Project “The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.”

GLAAD “GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.”

GLSEN “Every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education. We are a national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN Chapters working to make this right a reality.”

It Gets Better Project “The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.”

Picture Books featuring Trans/ Gender Expansive Children and their Families

What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

Call Me Max by Kyle Lukoff

Jamie is Jamie by Afsaneh Moradian

My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart

My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart

A House for Everyone by Jo Hirst

Annie's Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids (this is my kids’ favorite)

Who are You by Brook Pessin-Whedbee

I am Jazz by Jazz Jennings

BunnyBear by Andrea Loney

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love

Pink is for Boys by Rob Pearlman and Eda Kaban

Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman

‘Twas the Night before Pride by Joanna McClintick

Books & Other Media Resources focused on Trans/ Gender Expansive People

The Genderbread Person by: Sam Killermann

Understanding the Complexities of Gender (TEDx Talk by Sam Killermann)

Growing Up Trans (PBS Frontline Documentary)

Pink Boy: A Portrait of Gender Creative Child| Vanity Fair

Trans in America: A Documentary Series Presented by the ACLU and Little by Little Films

Disclosure A Netflix Original Documentary

The Gender Creative Child by Diane Ehrensaft & Norman Spack

Becoming an Ally to the Gender-Expansive Child by Anna Bianchi

The Trans Generation: How Kids (and their parents) are Creating a Gender Revolution by Ann Travers

In the News

Virgin Atlantic airlines recently changed their dress code for employees to include gender neutral uniforms and added optional pronoun name badges. (2022)

Virginia governor released new 2022 model policies, which overturns the 2021 model policies written by the previous administration to protect trans and gender expansive youth in Virginia schools. The new model policies restrict trans and gender expansive youth from using the names, pronouns, and restrooms that align with their gender identity. Public comments can be made here through October 26, 2022. These model policies will harm trans and gender expansive youth, especially those for whom school is their only safe haven. Here is one Virginia student’s thoughts on this new policy. (2022)

Boston Children’s Hospital targeted for its care of gender expansive children and youth. Following these targeted threats, other children’s hospitals voiced their allyship with Boston Children’s Hospital. (2022)