I was recently a guest on "The Ex-Good Girl Podcast" with host Sara Fisk, and she connected the dots in such a way that blew my mind. I'm a born people pleaser. The helpful part of that trait means I'm good at supporting people. The unhelpful part means that I don't like conflict and tend to avoid ruffling any feathers. When my kids came out as transgender, I had to work HARD to get over that unhelpful part. Every time I explained that Indigo and Mars had new names, I faced potential ruffled...
3 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
This week, I participated in the Stand with Trans event, Trans Empowerment Month, and spoke in a fireside chat format on "Raising Voices: Parents, Advocacy & the Fight for Trans Youth in the South." One of the questions they asked me was, "When you look back at yourself as a parent at the beginning of this journey, what would you tell that version of yourself?" I thought I'd share my answer with you: You will learn so much from your kids. You will be stronger than you ever thought you could...
7 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Why is it that the simplest messages strike a nerve with folks? Last week, I posted an image on social media with the message, "Affirming your trans kid is always the right thing to do." Period. That was it. Boy howdy, people had a LOT to say about that. Lots of people commented positively, agreeing enthusiastically, or saying they affirmed their trans kids, too. But other people were very angry and let me know it. Some called me a weirdo or liberal (oh NO), and some called me much, much...
10 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
That's today's message. Pretty simple. Hope it helps. Mandy Giles (she/her)Founder and CEOParents of Trans Youth p.s. Click here to receive additional emails specific to Texas news and events. p.s.s. But wait! There's more! Click here to get on the Houston-area email list. Parents of Trans Youth provides learning, support, and community to parents and caregivers of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive kids. DONATE NOW 2808 Caroline St. #103-G, Houston, TX 77004Unsubscribe Ā· Preferences
14 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Sunday was National Coming Out Day, and it got me thinking about how coming out is not a one-and-done thing. Trans kids (and people) often have to come out multiple times to multiple different people in multiple different situations. And that goes for families of trans kids, too. If this is new to you, it may feel awkward or uncomfortable when telling someone your kidās new name and pronouns. Iāve been there! I tried giving people a full "Gender 101" to explain my kidās new name, and I tried...
17 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
A beautiful day for democracy! (with kiddo Mars) This week, I gave public testimony at the Texas Senate Committee on Education on why Senate Bill 12 is harmful to transgender students. The hearing covered several of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrickās āinterim chargesā (policy priorities) - kind of a checkup on how these bills or topics were going between legislative sessions. Well, Iāll tell ya how theyāre going - they suck! SB12 (passed into law in 2025) is a nuclear bomb of a bill that includes...
21 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
A couple of weeks ago, I posted something on social media about grief, saying that itās a real feeling for parents of trans kids, but it was actually about the loss of expectations for your child. And that you canāt get stuck in that feeling - instead, move on to joy and hope. Another parent I know and respect from the advocacy space (Lizette Trujillo - she's a badass) contacted me privately about this post and let me know how the grief narrative for parents is harmful to our trans children....
24 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
The Parents of Trans Youth Community (PTYC) application window is open! PTYC is a secure, upbeat online community for affirming caregivers of trans kids and young adults. š Whatās inside? 125+ vetted members from all over the U.S. (and around the world!) Support groups Guest expert workshops Book club with authors 24/7 moderated chat spaces All in one place! š How do I join? Fill out the online application on our website Schedule a quick Zoom call Choose your membership plan š²Whatās the cost?...
28 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
I talk to a ton of parents of trans kids who say they don't know who they can trust. It's hard to know who's just kinda pissy ... and who's out to harass you. Like, do you know how easy it is to find your home address online? Spoiler alert: REALLY EASY. Not good. When I got an anonymous, threatening letter at my house a couple of years ago, I wondered how on earth this person had found my home address. Then I Googled myself and found my address and other information on a bunch of those weirdo...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read