Trans Kids, Our Kids

Authors: Adam Polaski, Alexis Stratton, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara

Over the past few years, we have witnessed a growing wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and policies across the United States. According to the ACLU, in 2023 alone, 507 anti-LGBTQ bills were proposed in 47 states; among these, 84 have been passed into law.

The targets of many of these legislative attacks have been the most vulnerable among us—transgender and LGBTQ+ youth. From “Don’t Say Gay” laws to healthcare restrictions, anti-LGBTQ+ policies are impacting trans and queer youth in almost every sphere of their lives, including the medical care they can access, the sports teams they can play on, what they are allowed to talk about in the classroom, and the books they are allowed to check out from the library. The results of this discrimination are often deadly, with over half of transgender and non-binary youth seriously contemplating suicide, and many others falling victim to violent hate crimes inspired by this hostile climate.

Trans Kids, Our Kids: Stories and Resources from the Frontlines of the Movement for Transgender Youth shares the stories of transgender youth and their families, exploring the choices they are making to survive in today’s environment. The book also gives voice to the medical providers who are providing care to transgender youth, as well as the activists, community organizers and faith leaders who are leading the resistance efforts.

By contextualizing and sharing these stories, as well as offering resources and next steps, Trans Kids aims to both narrativize the pain and fear experienced by everyday Americans in this cultural moment, as well as highlighting the courage, hope, and resilience of transgender and LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and the people who support them.

People are Saying:

“Sometimes it feels like everyone in the world stands in opposition to trans kids—the government, the media, and even our own families and neighbors. But Trans Kids, Our Kids is proof that there are more everyday people who love and support trans youth than there are those who want them back into the closet and out of public life. This book is a valuable tool for those of us working to live in a world where trans kids are free to experience the joys and turbulence of youth without the added challenge of fighting for their right to exist. It is a necessary anthology; it is a snapshot of both the fortitude of our movement and the critical work that lies ahead.” – Calvin Kasulke, Several People Are Typing

“Many of us have read the headlines about anti-LGBTQ+ laws passing, but it can be hard to see through the barrage of legislation and political attacks to understand what’s really at stake. With narratives that are devastating, infuriating, and hopeful, Trans Kids, Our Kids cuts through the noise to share intimate stories about young people, their families, and transgender adults who have been unfairly thrust into a cruel firestorm. Whether you think you already know what trans youth and their families have been going through or you have not yet thought about it at all, this book will open your eyes and inspire you to action.” – Jessi Hempel, The Family Outing

“When the laws of your own state treat you as less than equal and block you from your hopes, dreams, and full potential, you have to push back and speak out – and that’s exactly what so many young people, their parents, and community leaders dare to do in Trans Kids, Our Kids. I know firsthand the power – and the pain – of fighting for people you love, and I am in awe of the families and advocates featured in this book who are doing everything they can to support their children, build supportive spaces, and empower young people to live with authenticity and dignity.” – Jim Obergefell, Co-author of Love Wins, plaintiff in the Supreme Court marriage equality decision Obergefell v. Hodges, and activist

“So often, the stories of individual transgender people are missing from the laws targeting them. Trans Kids, Our Kids is an important book that tells the stories of those most affected—the kids and families themselves. The use of personal narratives interwoven with the details of the laws targeting them highlights their struggles and resilience in the face of one of the biggest attacks on trans people in modern history. This book will hold an essential place in the library of anyone wishing to understand these issues further.” – Erin Reed, Journalist

“Throughout our decades-long and difficult campaign to win the freedom to marry, I’d often say that ‘conversation is the chief engine of change.’ I believed that the more fair-minded people got to push past ideology, buzzwords, and fears and talk through the stories and values of real people, the more hearts and minds would change. Now, Americans are once again in the midst of a conversation, learning about the lives and needs of transgender people, including young people. Sadly, in many states it is a conversation too often made painful and confusing by dogmatic rhetoric, fear-mongering, and political attacks in place of openness, discussion, and empathy. Just in time comesTrans Kids, Our Kids, featuring the voices of trans people and those who love them and care for them, along with resources and action steps. This highly readable book is an excellent example of how to advance the conversation, engage one another, and continue making progress toward more inclusive lives and communities in all 50 states.” – Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry founder and author of Why Marriage Matters

“Even as transgender youth have increasingly become the focus of conversations, legislation, and attacks around the country, their specific and unique stories are often lost, silenced, or sidelined. Trans Kids, Our Kids commits to elevating and amplifying the voices of trans young people and the many people who love them – reminding us of their power, courage, and strength. This book is an engrossing, essential exploration of our current moment in the LGBTQ+ movement.”– Andrea “Andy” Hong Marra, Chief Executive Officer, Advocates for Trans Equality

“Anti-LGBTQ+ forces are doing everything they can to dehumanize LGBTQ+ families and challenge our right to exist – and recently, they’ve had some success when it comes to transgender youth and their families. But we must never allow our community members, especially our courageous young people, to feel erased, ignored, or dismissed. And that’s why Trans Kids, Our Kids is such an impactful book. It centers the stories of transgender young people – their challenges, triumphs, joys, and fears. It is only through honest and authentic storytelling like the stories featured in this book that we will be able to move our country toward a future where all of us can not just survive but thrive.” – Jaymes Black (any/all pronouns), President & CEO, Family Equality

“Being visible as a transgender person during such a hostile time can be scary – but it can be an empowering opportunity to speak out and fight back against oppression. I so admire the trans young people and their loved ones who are speaking out in Trans Kids, Our Kids, which beautifully leverages in-depth personal narratives to capture the complexities of our current political moment.”– Aydian Dowling, Co-Founder of Point of Pride

“In the wake of an unprecedented wave of anti-trans legislation, Trans Kids, Our Kids provides a unique, invaluable window into the ways that families of transgender youth are grappling with the impossible choices imposed on them by these laws. Written by advocates who are actively on the frontlines, the book is a sobering illustration of the urgent demand for action.”– Hannah Murphy Winter, Author of Queer Power Couples: On Love and Possibility

“Children are our future, plain and simple, and unfortunately we are living in a time where it is increasingly challenging to be a kid in the United States – especially an LGBTQ+ kid forced to navigate aggressive new laws and unprecedented attacks on books that represent their identities and lived experiences. I’m glad that Trans Kids, Our Kids exists to expertly document these challenges while also providing examples of a better path forward – one where all children, including trans children, are met with love, support, and respect.” – Isabel Galupo, Emmy-nominated television writer and Co-author of Maiden and Princess