Gender Variant Children: Views of Professionals, Parents and Transgender Adults 

Adult clients seeking help for Gender Dysphoria have generally lived traumatic existences for years and the process of transitioning is often ‘tortuous and conflict-laden’ (Diamond, 2002).

This study explores the childhood experiences of transgender adults, experiences of parents who are raising or who have raised a child with gender variance and opinions of professionals working with the transgender community. In this context ‘gender variant’ (GV) means non-conforming gender behaviour. The study involves participants completing an on-line questionnaire taking 10-20 minutes.

This research aims to: identify the support needs of children with GV; convey the issues that children with GV and their parents are dealing with; ascertain the ways in which children with GV are marginalized; and recognise coping skills the children and parents have.

This study will provide research-based evidence with which to support the parents and their children, provide advocacy and enhance current trans-positive guidelines and contribute to trans-positive education models, training and guidelines for working with GV children.

The longer term benefit of this research has the potential to, reduce bullying and ostracism of GV children, contribute to positive mental health during development and ultimately help to mitigate the difficult circumstances that transgender adults experience.

The study is being conducted by Elizabeth Anne Riley and will form the basis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Sydney under the supervision of Dr Gomathi Sitharthan, Research Coordinator, Faculty of Health Sciences.

If you would like to know more about this research, please feel free to contact Elizabeth Anne Riley, PhD student (health Sciences) +61 412 880 376 or eril6366@usyd.edu.au; or Dr Gomathi Sitharthan, Research Coordinator on +61 2 9351 9584 or g.sitharthan@usyd.edu.au.