Resources for Support Persons
Here's a list of helpful resources.
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At first, the differences between gender, gender presentation, sex, and sexuality can be really confusing. The Genderbread Person is a great start to learning about the differences between them.
Remember that every trans and gender diverse person's expirience is different. While this is a wonderful tool to begin your journey in being the best support person you can be, it is more important that you listen to your loved one and their expirience.
The Gender Grid is another great resource for helping to understand the variety of possible genders.
Remember that every trans and gender diverse person's expirience is different. While this is a wonderful tool to begin your journey in being the best support person you can be, it is more important that you listen to your loved one and their expirience
Is your loved one taking the next step in their journey by getting top surgery? Are you feeling a little lost about how you can support them? Check out this guide by Trans Care BC on how you can help them while they recover.
It's not only adults who explore their gender - kids can too! This website is a really great place for children, youth, and their families to learn all about gender identity, transitioning, interacting with extended family members, how race and gender overlap, and more. While this large website can seem intimidating, it contains lots of great articles - please take some time to explore, learn, and reflect on the information it provides.
Has your loved one told you that they use they/them pronouns? While gender neutal pronouns can be an adjustment, this resource can help you to better understand and get used to this change. With helpful strategies on how to cement new pronouns into your thought practices it is a fantstic article to help you become the supportive person you know you can be.
This article was written by Paria Hassouri, a pediatrician and mother about how she adjusted to her daughter coming out as transgender. It addresses her first year as they both adjusted to this change, including her mistakes as a parent and the lessons she learned from them. It can be difficult when a child comes out as trans or gender diverse, but ultimately rewarding for both you and your child as your relationship becomes deeper.
Lucy Diavolo wrote a fantastic article about the brief history of gender variance around the world. While people may think trans or gender diverse identities are a fairly new concept, they are in fact not. This article is far from being comprehensive, but is a great way to wet your toes and learn how trans and gender diverse people have existed everywhere, always.
Do you have a close relative who is transphobic and are unsure on how to handle it? You're not alone. This article talks tough truths about how best to support your transgender or gender diverse child.
Leading up to major surgeries - such as top surgery - some trans and gender diverse people can be understandably nervous. Uncertainty about their decision leading up to the date can make you feel off-kilter about your role as a support person. This article, written by a person who had top surgery, goes through the thoughts and feelings both before and after surgery and how despite the nervousness, it was relieving. Learn about how this is not a rare occurance and be supportive of your loved one as they wait for their surgery.