What can we do to support families with parents from trans and gender-diverse communities

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Hafford-Letchfield, Trish and Cocker, Christine (2025) What can we do to support families with parents from trans and gender-diverse communities. Context: The Magazine for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK (201). pp. 35-38. ISSN 0969-1936

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Abstract

There have been radical changes in the social and political context for gender diverse people in the last decade, both positive and negative. Debates about gender identities are played out in the public arena with either fierce (sometimes unsubstantiated and discriminatory) exchanges or a silence from those who could potentially advocate and be an active ally for individuals and communities who are adversely impacted. Here we share some of our own research knowledge and experience of working in trans care by focusing on trans parenting, a marginalised group within family research, policy, and practice. Achieving a better understanding and gaining insights into the lives and experiences of parents who are gender diverse helps to focus on the specific issues they might face, and the nuanced support and advocacy needed, not least for the benefit of their children and other family members. We firstly summarise some external influences impacting on trans parenting before sharing some key themes from the research evidence on trans and non-binary parenting (Hafford-Letchfield et al, 2019). We then draw on our empirical research with professionals collaborating with trans parents (Hafford-Letchfield et al, 2021) to illustrate the opportunities and challenges for inclusive practice with trans and gender diverse individuals who wish to become parents through adoption and fostering. We leave you with some pointers developing affirming professional practice and care for families with trans parents.

ORCID iDs

Hafford-Letchfield, Trish ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0105-0678 and Cocker, Christine;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)