Transgender Children

When A 5-Year-Old Girl Wants To Be A Boy

The Washington Post | Posted 05.20.2012

Kathryn wanted pants. And short hair. Then trucks and swords. ...

It's A Boy!

Leslie Lagerstrom | Posted 05.14.2012

Leslie Lagerstrom

Society had graciously given us the "tomboy" label to justify our child's behavior, which we gladly used as a wishful excuse. But all too soon it became hard to ignore the earnest pleas for the McDonald's Happy Meal that included the boy's toy, or the innocent requests to wear male clothes.

Why Economic Justice Is Central to LGBT Rights

Chi Mgbako | Posted 05.07.2012

Chi Mgbako

There is a dearth of data regarding poverty within the LGBT community. This must change so that organizations can assist LGBT people who disproportionately suffer economic marginalization because of homophobia and transphobia.

WATCH: First Look At National Geographic's 'American Transgender'

Posted 05.01.2012

The National Geographic channel is set to air "American Transgender," an hour-long documentary that takes a no-holds-barred look at the lives and stru...

A Message For Transgender, Bigender And Gender-Variant Youth

Catherine Oliver | Posted 04.19.2012

Catherine Oliver

Being transgender, bigender, genderqueer, or however you identify is amazing, and you should never be ashamed of how you identify. There are other people out there just like you who are happy, successful, and looking forward to meeting you! Never give up hope.

What Does Transgender Mean? One Semi-Conservative Dad's Perspective

Wayne Maines | Posted 04.11.2012

Wayne Maines

My transgender daughter Nicole is my mentor. It's tough to put into words what a profound impact this small person has had in changing my core values, but since the young age of 5, she has unknowingly encouraged me to open my eyes and heart to new ideas.

Getting My Happy Baby Back (VIDEO)

Catherine Hyde | Posted 04.08.2012

Catherine Hyde

I had the happiest baby you ever saw. But when my beloved son, at the age of 4, told me that something had gone wrong in my belly and that he was supposed to be a she, I assured him that he was wrong. By the age of 6, Will was threatening suicide.

Breaking Down The Gender Binary

Catherine Oliver | Posted 04.04.2012

Catherine Oliver

Some parents have tried to raise their kids without gender stereotypes, only to get accused of being hippies at best and downright abusive at worst. Tell me what's abusive about not shoving your kid into a box that says, "This is how you're supposed to act given your genitalia."

WATCH: 'It Gets Better' For Parents Of Transgender Youth

Posted 03.20.2012

The first "It Gets Better" video to focus exclusively on parents of transgender and gender non-conforming youth has made its web debut. Produced b...

WATCH: How A Midwestern Mom Learned To Accept Her Transgender Son

Nathan Manske | Posted 05.13.2012

Nathan Manske

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Talking About Children's Gender: Words Matter

Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D. | Posted 05.01.2012

Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D.

As we see the media's growing interest in transgender and gender-nonconforming children and their families, I can't underscore enough the responsibility of journalists who cover them and the issues related to these children and young people to get the terminology right.

Sex-changing Treatment For Kids: It's On The Rise

AP | By LINDSEY TANNER | Posted 02.20.2012

CHICAGO -- A small but growing number of teens and even younger children who think they were born the wrong sex are getting support from parents and f...

Dreaming of Dresses: Transgender Books for Children

B.J. Epstein | Posted 04.16.2012

B.J. Epstein

I am unfortunately aware of no texts about transgender characters for readers between 5 and 12 or so. However, there are a couple of picture books, which at least can be used with children up until the age of 5 or 6, regardless of whether they are themselves trans or know any trans people.

SHOCKER: Elisabeth Hasselbeck Brought Me to Tears... The Good Kind!

Mark Daniel Snyder | Posted 03.31.2012

Mark Daniel Snyder

I disagree with Elisabeth Hasselbeck quite often, but during the Jan. 25 episode of The View, she brought me to tears with her eloquent support of transgender and gender-nonconforming children.

WATCH: Growing Up Transgender In Mississippi

Nathan Manske | Posted 03.31.2012

Nathan Manske

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Transgender Children

Blake Owen Middleton, Jr. | Posted 03.28.2012

Blake Owen Middleton, Jr.

I am often asked why -- if I felt like a boy since the age of three -- I did not come out as a child.

Once a Daughter, Now A Son: The Mother Of A Transgender Child Shares Her Emotional Transition

Patrick Wallace | Posted 03.27.2012

Patrick Wallace

A year after sharing her letter with her daughter, now her son Marcus, Kathy updated her original note to reflect the journey she and her son had experienced together. It demonstrates the difference a single year can make.

Honest and Fair, Friendly and Helpful, Considerate and Caring, Courageous and Strong

Jody Huckaby | Posted 03.14.2012

Jody Huckaby

In the face of ignorance and resignation threats from troop leaders across the country, the Girls Scouts of Denver held firm in their decision to allow Bobby Montoya, a transgender girl, to join. PFLAG National applauds and supports them.

"It's Okay To Be Neither"... Kindergarten Teacher Breaks Down Gender Stereotypes

TheMarySue.com | Posted 12.29.2011

Over on the Together For Jackson County Kids blog on Tumblr, one Wisconsin teacher is making an effort to tear down gender stereotyping of children by...

Girl Scout Organization Fulfills Its Promises and Laws

Warren J. Blumenfeld | Posted 02.26.2012

Warren J. Blumenfeld

By allowing Bobby Montoya to be a Girl Scout, the Girl Scout leadership has fulfilled its own written laws "to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible."

Identical Twin Case: A Shining New Example For Parenting Transgender Children

The Boston Globe | Bella English | Posted 12.12.2011

Jonas and Wyatt Maines were born identical twins, but from the start each had a distinct personality. Jonas was all boy. He loved Spiderman, action...

How to Be a Hero

Gretchen Peters | Posted 02.07.2012

Gretchen Peters

If your child has come out to you, you've been entrusted with a precious piece of his or her truth. You have a rare opportunity to become a hero, a champion for your child. You may actually be saving his or her life.

Hunter Stuart

Gay Student's Flamboyant Style Blamed For His Murder

HuffingtonPost.com | Hunter Stuart | Posted 11.28.2011

Only a few hours had passed after 17-year-old Brandon McInerney had pled guilty to the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Lawrence "Larry" King at E.O. Gre...

A Hostile Climate Continues For Transgender People

Genny Beemyn | Posted 01.19.2012

Genny Beemyn

K-12 schools and colleges must take the lead in recognizing and educating about gender diversity. They must implement nondiscrimination policies inclusive of gender identity and expression to protect transgender youth.

Being Transparent

Gretchen Peters | Posted 01.19.2012

Gretchen Peters

This is the child to whom I gave a girl's name, imbued with my own girlish hopes, nurtured the mother-daughter bond that I had with my own mother. What was my relationship with this person if he is my son?