Our Families
COLAGE Releases Groundbreaking Resource for Transgender Families

May 27, 2008

COLAGE has announced the release of its "Kids of Trans Resource Guide", the first of its kind, which was written by and for people with transgender parents. While many transgender people have children, very few resources exist for transgender parents and their families. Having a transgender parent can often feel isolating or challenging. This crucial resource will provide the growing community of children, youth, and adults with one or more transgender parent(s) much needed information about their experience.  

"When my father explained that (s)he was becoming a woman, (s)he handed me a pamphlet about transgender issues," says Monica Canfield-Lenfest, COLAGE Kids of Trans Fellow. "I really wanted a pamphlet for me. Ten years later, that resource finally exists."  

The Kids of Trans Resource Guide offers a range of perspectives with valuable quotes from the experts themselves—people of all ages with transgender parents. This invaluable guide seeks to provide an understanding of transgender issues specifically for the children of transgender people with basic vocabulary and concepts, frequently asked questions, and what to expect during a parent's gender transition. The guide also includes resources such as: Transition Tips for Parents, Finding Support and Community, Legal Q&A for Kids of Trans Parents, and an expanded Transgender Family Resource List. In addition, the guide features frank discussions about family changes, challenges to acceptance, and the benefits of having a trans parent.  

"Even if my family structure is a little bit different from the average family (MTF transgender parent and a biological mom), we still do everything other families do. We enjoy each other's company, eat dinner together, talk, and go out to eat, among much more," says 13-year old Gretchen C. "The way my family is does not change who I am. Though, it does make me more accepting of different types of people and situations."  

The Kids of Trans Resource Guide was authored by Monica Canfield-Lenfest and is the culmination of her eight-month Kids of Trans Fellowship at COLAGE from October 2007 through May 2008. Copies are available by donation from COLAGE. An electronic version will also be available at www.colarge.org.  

Transgender and gender non-conforming parents, family members, people with transgender parents, teachers, therapists, and LGBT community centers are all encouraged to read this valuable new resource.  

COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parent(s). We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education and advocacy. www.colage.org.