The specific objectives of the project were: 1. To empower the parents of trans* persons, as activists and as parents, through the activities of the project: meetings, webinars, multiplier events, and sharing of experience and knowledge; 2.To increase the capacities of partner organizations through sharing examples of good practice and learning from each other; 3.To increase the capacities of partner organizations through learning from experts so that they gain the necessary tools to better advocate for appropriate health solutions for their children in their individual countries; 4.To speak as a single voice, as parents, advocating for trans* youngsters’ health and social rights on European political platforms. Above all we wanted to build a Parents' Manifesto which would highlight the main concerns of parents of trans* minors so that those in authority could use it as a helpful policy tool, as well as 3 e-booklets offering parents testimonials and experts' advice and information on current studies that focus on trans* healthcare and wellbeing. We also wanted parents to feel empowered to speak out and to reach out to parents in rural parts who feel all alone. We wanted to increase their abilities to be catalysts for change.
Children and teens are increasingly coming out as transgender or gender non-conforming. It takes great courage for their parents to support and affirm them when society continues to criticize and judge them harshly. All children deserve a safe and supportive environment where they feel free to express themselves and develop authentically along their path of self-discovery.Parents often struggle to understand their trans* minors and feel somewhat isolated and alone. Parents have been reporting problems and challenges, affecting the access to physical and mental health care for their children, which, in most cases, is vital for their transition, their security, and social inclusion. At the same time, parents themselves are in a state of transition associated with all the biases and preconceptions they are facing in their societies towards trans* persons. The project was undertaken with the objective of addressing this issue by educating and empowering more parents to associate together and learn from each other. Through parents' participation and encouraging parent organizations to be formed and act more collectively, we aim to improve the social and legal situation of trans* and gender-diverse children and youth across Europe.