Transphobia and Other Stressors Impacting Trans Parents

Limited research regarding transsexual or transgender (trans) parents has often focused on their children. This analysis represents the first published profile of trans parents (N = 110) from a large probability-based sample of trans people (N = 433). The Trans PULSE Project used respondent-driven sampling to collect survey data from trans people in Ontario, Canada. Trans parents differed from nonparents in that they were older, more educated, and had higher personal incomes. Trans parents did not differ significantly from nonparents in the level of transphobia they experienced and many reported being impacted by multiple stressors. A majority felt that being trans had hurt or embarrassed their family, worried about growing old alone because they are trans, or had been made fun of for being trans. A substantial minority had been turned down for a job, had to move away, been hit or beat up, been harassed by police, or been fired from a job because they were trans. Some reported no legal access to their child (18.1%) or having lost custody or having custody reduced because they were trans (17.7%). Recommendations are made for mental health professionals to support trans parents and their families through psychosocial support, family therapy, professional training, and advocacy.