International Journal of Transgender Health

Supporting Trans Young People Facing Gender Critical Ideology

With trans young people facing transphobia and the increasing threat that gender critical ideology poses, the ways in which we support young people to navigate minoritized gender identities is a pressing issue across the globe. With UK and US-based research indicating that effective affirmative support for trans youth is key to supporting good mental health, education, employment and safe access to housing into adulthood, this special issue extends a call to expand the research evidence base on how parents, carers and professionals can understand and effectively support trans youth to increase safety and wellbeing.  

As gender critical ideologies gain power in the UK, USA and across the globe, it becomes increasingly important that practice and academia unite with experts by experience to counter torrents of discrimination. This Special Issue aims to expand the evidence base exploring how parents, carers and professionals across disciplines can support trans youth. We are seeking original primary research using qualitative or quantitative methodologies, reviews and communication concerning trans young people’s experiences and the support that parents, carers and professionals from different disciplines can provide to increase young people’s well-being. We are especially keen to receive papers that have been co-produced with people who are experts by experience and those that have been written by scholars located in the global south.  

In this Special Issue, original research articles, reviews and wider communications are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:  

• Young people’s exploration of their gender identities  
• Trans young people’s mental and physical health  
• Parenting, caring for and working with trans children and young people  
• The role of chosen families in supporting trans youth  
• Trans young people’s experiences of education and employment  
• Navigating social media, sport and leisure activities as a trans young person  
• Finance and housing for trans young adults 
• Trans youth’s experience of discrimination, minority stress or stigma  
• The social experience of gender diversity for young people  
• Equity, diversity and inclusion practice focusing on trans youth  
• Intersectionality: exploring the complexity of trans young people’s identities and the multiple, intersecting experiences of discrimination they are faced with