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⚠ COVID-19 INFORMATION: Resources, Vaccine Information
A transition is the process by which an individual begins living as their affirmed gender. People may transition socially, medical and/or legally. There’s no one way to be transgender and therefore, there is no one way to transition. A transition may or may not include hormonal and/or surgical treatment.
The word “affirm” is used to acknowledge the identity of an individual.
There are a few shared components of adopting an affirming approach:
Transphobia, or discrimination against transgender people, can and does occur in spaces where youth deserve to feel safe and included, such as school.
Youth that are not supported are at increased risk for negative health (medical and mental) outcomes when compared with transgender youth that are supported. Just like all other forms of bullying, transphobia needs to be addressed in both proactive and reactive ways by school administrators and staff.
In 2016 Lurie Children’s adopted a model policy for gender support in school. Please feel free to review the policy and use it to shape your own school’s position on gender inclusivity. View the model policy.
Being an ally to transgender individuals means creating an environment where they feel comfortable and have the opportunity to thrive.
How can you be an ally?
It’s important for parents to help children and adolescents understand gender identity. Being friends with or talking about trans, gay and lesbian people will not make anyone gay or transgender. However, learning about and understanding different types of people will make children more likely to be kind and respectful to one another. Understanding diversity may also help children and adolescents stand up to someone who is bullying another student.
When talking to a child or adolescent about gender identity, let them guide the conversation. If you’re not sure where to begin, books are a great jumping off point to start a conversation about gender. Parents should try to find out what specifically the child is trying to understand and help answer those questions.
Download a list of books with transgender or gender-questioning characters.
LGBTQ patients and families have historically experienced discrimination in healthcare settings. When arriving at a healthcare facility, many assess the environment to determine if they will be accepted and supported. Providing a welcoming setting is crucial and can be done in a few ways, including the following:
For more information, please review this helpful video, “Vanessa Goes to the Doctor”.
1. Diane L. Adams, ed., Health Issues for Women of Color: A Cultural Diversity Perspective (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1995)
View a list of COVID-19 Resources, including financial relief, online classes and more.