Studies:
Below are a number of points of reference for family members of GID individuals.
This is a paper published by Dr. Richard Green which looks at the impact that a parent's transition can have on a child. The main conclusion of the paper is the available evidence does not support concerns that a parent's GID directly adversely impacts on that partents child. In fact extensive cliniical experience shows the detriment to children in consequence of terminated contact with a parent after divorce
Children’s best interests are not served by the bullying tactic of implacable parental opposition by one parent to continuing contact with both parents. Divorce may be inevitable between parent and parent, but divorce need not be inevitable between parent and child.
The International Journal of Transgenderism:
This site contains numerous articles, papers and studies on GID. It also hosts the above Children's study.
Films:
The Adventures of Sebastian Cole:
This movie is about a teen of a GID parent. 1998. USA . 112 minutes. Rated ‘R’. Written and Directed by Todd Williams. Available on home video.
This documentary is a touching portrait of a well-respected doctor and transvestite in a small Christian community in Norway , told with warmth and nostalgia by the only person who could make such a film-- his son. 2002, Norway . Directed by Even Benestad.
This documentary follows three young girls' conversations about gender and acceptance when they learn that Uncle Bill will soon be Aunt Barbara.
An HBO film directed by Jane Andersen and starring Jessica Lange and Tom Wilkinson. This movie follows husband and father Roy through his coming out and transition, addressing the reactions of his wife, co-workers, and two children.
Plot Synopsis: Bree, a pre-operative GID person (male-to-female), holds down two jobs and saves every penny so that she can pay for one last operation that will make her a woman at last. One day, however, she receives a strange phone call. It appears that on the other side is Toby, apparently her son, who must be the product of a somewhat clumsy sexual encounter years ago when she was a man. He stays in New York, incarcerated. Bree flies from Los Angeles to New York in order to get the boy out of jail. At first she is reluctant to do so, but her therapist convinces her to face up to her past. The boy is handed over to her without a word of explanation and Toby believes the woman to be some Christian missionary determined to convert reprobates to Jesus; Bree sees no reason to clear up the misunderstanding. However, she finds out that the boy just wants to escape from her and hitchhike to Los Angeles. She persuades him to accompany her back to the west coast--secretly planning to leave him at his stepfather's along the way. Toby is happy to take her up on her offer.
Books
Dress Codes- Of Three Girlhoods--My Mother's, My Father's, and Mine:
The adult daughter of a straight mother and GID father provides a memoir of moving observations, that captures the experience of growing up with a GID father in suburban Ohio .
Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell it Like it Is:
In the children's book classic Heather Has Two Mommies, Leslea Newman offered kids a chance to read about nontraditional families. Now Garner, who created the site FamiliesLikeMine.com, attempts to do the same for teens, young adults and their families by interweaving her experiences growing up with a gay father and straight mother with those of other children who were raised by lesbian, gay, bisexual or GID parents
Out of the Ordinary: Essays on Growing Up with Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Parents:
This book interweaves the author’s personal experiences of growing up with a gay father and straight mother, with those of other adult children of LGBT parents, based on 8 years of activism and over 50 interviews. Features several adults with one or more GID parent/s.
Our Trans Children - is a booklet written especially for parents, family members, and friends of GID individuals. Gives basic information and definitions, including resources and a reading list. For more information - contact MaryBoenke@aol.com.
Trans Forming Families: Real Stories About Transgendered Loved Ones - M. Boenke. Waterford Press. 1999. Thirty one stories by spouses, parents, children, and friends exploring the journey, struggle, and delight of having a GID loved one.
Transgender Tapestry
The only magazine with a full list of GID resources. Discusses trangenderism their families. published by the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) Tel: 781-899-2212 Fax: 781-899-5703 books@ifge.org
True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism for Family, Friends, coworkers and helping professionals M. Brown, and C. Rounsley. Jossey-Bass. 1996 Practical information to help people close to a trans person to understand GID.
Fictional work that describes how a widow and adult son cope when the FTM father dies and his GID becomes public.
