New organisation for parents - Genspect

[Leafstamp]

It’s worldwide and has an impressive line up of people and advisers behind it.

genspect.org/

This is some of what they say:

We want to see schools, colleges and higher education establishments hold neutral space for students as they explore their gender, sexual orientation and identity formation. We value supportive environments for students, so they feel neither encouraged nor discouraged to follow certain paths.

We advocate for an evidence-based approach to gender distress, and we would like health care professionals to take the time and care to evaluate the low-evidence base for the current affirmative approach, looking more closely at the harms that medical treatment paths can cause. We recognize the high occurrence of comorbidites such as autism and ADHD among children and young people who are questioning their gender.

Yes, it GENSPECT looks great. I am parent of 14 year old trans child. Life at home is really hard right now. Child not going to school, demanding puberty blockers. We are getting what I think is the right help (exploring issues with Psychiatrist over 12 months), but who knows. This is such a difficult area. No clearly correct medical pathway is available and we have work hard to educate ourselves about it all and protect our children from potential harm (like Keira Bell suffered). Perhaps Mumsnet is not the place for this kind of discussion, but it is a shame if not, this has always been the first place I have come for parenting thoughts, since my child was born. Gender Dysphoria Support Network is good, if anyone is reading this and wants support on this issue.

Sorry to hear that things are difficult for you katy. Sounds like you’re doing your best s and doing the right things.

Mumsnet absolutely is a good place for support, there are other people in your shoes who would be supportive. Like @rogdmum. She is on Twitter too with the same username.

katycaterpiller I'm here with an 18yr old daughter who has recently announced that she identifies as transgender, and I often come to the FWR threads for info and support.

We're certainly not the only parents going through this with our children atm, and it's nice to know that through this forum.

I'll take a look at the Gender Dysphoria Support Network that you recommend.

Whilst Genspect looks interesting, I fear it's too late for us :(

Interesting.

oxalisRed - I am so sorry to hear you are suffering this too. Do check out GDSN ([email protected]). There are parents in that group who are in the same position - including of adult children who have medicalised their transition, and the parent support groups on zoom help, I think, at least in not feeling alone. Genspect are trying to get a parents' view point into the media (to give a contrasting message from the mermaids' narrative). K

@oxalisRed there's a group for UK parents called Bayswater Support, with a lively forum, webinars and in-person events (they were set up in 2019 and now support about 300 families). I'm a member and (though my child is younger) they have a section of their forum for parents of young adults (and also a separate one for parents of boys and men). Could be worth seeing if they have something to offer? The new group Genspect looks great and Stella O'Malley has been an effective spokesperson for parents, who don't feel they can be open in public themselves.