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Parents of Trans Youth

Mandy Giles (she/her)

Parents of Trans Youth provides learning, support, and community to parents and caregivers of transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse kids. Join our email list for bite-sized tips and news about supporting trans kids sent straight to your inbox twice weekly.

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Featured Post

Only 4 days left!

Last December, HHS proposed a series of rules that would make it much harder for trans youth to access medically necessary care: These rules would: 1. Block Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for trans patients under 18, and block CHIP coverage for trans patients under 19. 2. Ban hospitals that provide gender-affirming health care to trans youth from participating in Medicaid/Medicare for all patients, which would essentially force hospitals across the country to end youth...

4 days ago • 1 min read

I am THRILLED to be nominated for Ally Grand Marshal for the 48th annual Pride Houston Celebration on June 6! 🏳️🌈 As an ally, I’m unspeakably humbled by this recognition. It’s one of the highest honors given by Houston’s LGBTQ+ community, and I'm so grateful. I count myself lucky that I get to work with and hang out with so many of Houston’s incredible LGBTQ+ individuals – it’s a privilege! Winning this honor means that more folks would know about the work Parents of Trans Youth is doing:...

7 days ago • 1 min read

I've got a special treat for you, Reader. A member of the Parents of Trans Youth Community wrote the most beautiful post the other day, and they gave me permission to share it with you: Watching my kid stay true to who they are, even when others question them, has been one of the most grounding lessons of my adult life. They’re only 8, and they’ve already faced bullying, exclusion, and those quiet, subtle moments that teach kids, “You’re different. You’re inconvenient. You don’t quite belong...

11 days ago • 2 min read

Applications for the Parents of Trans Youth Community (PTYC) are now accepted all the time! 🥱 No more waiting for the application window to open. 📅 No more keeping track of dates. 🤩 Just apply when you’re ready. So what’s our community all about? PTYC is a secure, online membership space for parents and caregivers who affirm and support their trans kids (of any age). You’ll find like-minded folks, support in your journey, and peace of mind. How our members engage: 🧑💻 Discussion spaces...

15 days ago • 1 min read
The Office gif. The office is filled with disco lights. Craig Robinson as Darryl, Oscar Nunez as Oscar, and Brian Baumgartner as Kevin show us some serious dance moves.

Joy, celebration, and laughter are absolutely crucial when parenting your trans kiddo - of any age. I know it can be hard. Maybe you’re overcoming some personal beliefs, or maybe you’re scared because of all the laws, policies, and orders in the United States. But remember that it’s genuinely incredible your kid is self-aware enough to explore their gender identity. A person has to do some deep digging to figure out who they really are. And that is cause for celebration. Finding it hard to...

18 days ago • 1 min read

Transgender kids didn’t ask to be transgender. They didn’t choose to be transgender. No one made them transgender. It’s just who they are. And yet they are being singled out and questioned and punished as if they’ve made a bad choice, or have done something wrong. They are being carved out of school activities, sports, their own medical care, even just being called by their own names. They’re being punished for who they are, and that’s discrimination. And it’s wrong. Because trans kids are...

25 days ago • 1 min read

This month’s Houston parent support meeting is Sunday, January 25, at the Montrose Center! Join us every fourth Sunday of each month to discuss the general joys and challenges of parenting transgender and gender-expansive youth and young adults. Groups are free, voluntary, and confidential. No RSVP needed; just drop in! The support group coincides with Hatch Jr., a Montrose Center program for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 7-12. Contact hatchyouth@montrosecenter.org for more info. 🗣️Doors open at 2pm...

28 days ago • 1 min read

Neil, me, and Mars - family advocacy at the Supreme Court! This week, I had the honor of speaking at the Washington, D.C. rally held during oral arguments in two Supreme Court cases concerning trans youth in sports: West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox. These two cases represent two teenage girls from West Virginia and Idaho, who sued just to be allowed to continue playing sports like any other student. Gorgeous weather, a passionate crowd, being with my family, and meeting so many of my...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

A quickie round-up of a few intriguing upcoming events from trusted orgs: Rally at the Supreme Court for trans kids in sports Jan 13, 10:00am ETRally hosted by ACLU and Lambda Legal during oral arguments in the SCOTUS cases West Virginia V. BPJ and Little v. Hecox. Free buses from neighboring states. Or find a local activation here. RSVP for DC rally Campaign for Southern Equality/Trans Youth Emergency Project Jan 14, 6:30pm ETTown Hall on the latest federal attacks on adolescent...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Not too long ago, I was interviewed by someone at a rally who turned out to be a reporter with a Texas right-wing media outlet (nope, I didn't vet him - totally my bad). He tweeted the interview plus put it in an article on the organization's website and socials. The comments were awful (I know, I know - I shouldn't have read them!). Lots of people wanted to see me arrested or hurt, and it was been shared by some pretty large accounts. BUT! I had already taken some measures to protect my...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read