Do you know any transgender persons who have been disowned by at least one, and perhaps all family members? If not, welcome to the community. Family rejection is the most pervasive and damaging phenomenon transgender persons face.

Telling Mom and Dad that you crossdress, have questions about your gender identity or that you are making a gender transition, each can be a difficult process.

Anyone who has been a member of the transgender community for any significant length of time has heard the horror stories. Some of us have experienced the situation firsthand.

As crossdressers, transsexuals and other transgender persons become more visible within society, gender issues are now touching the lives of more children. Many people wonder if and when their children should be told a parent crossdresses or has a transgender identity.

Of all the senseless trials a parent might encounter, none are so devastating as an interruption of that parent's ability to care for his or her child. Transgender parents, which include transsexuals, crossdressers, and others involved in custody battles, frequently face the prospect of having a former spouse or court significantly interfere with or interrupt one's ability to provide parenting.

As a gender specializing therapist and author, I enjoy hearing from people who have questions about gender identity issues.  Sometimes I receive letters of inquiry from third parties or in other words people who actually aren't transgender themselves, but who are in some way affected by others which are.  Within this group I occasionally hear from grandparents.

Is having a transgender identity or need to crossdress caused by childhood abuse? Is it better to resolve childhood abuse issues before or after beginning to live in role and transitioning permanently? Does the stigma of childhood abuse carry over and prevent transgender individuals from obtaining hormones and surgery?

"Dear Gianna:
My 14-year old son, Martin, was recently sent home from school for wearing girls' clothing and insisting that his teachers and peers call him "Monique." This is the 3rd time this has happened since we moved, and he started going to a new school. Please help..."

Emblazoned with various social, moral and religious opinions, disclosing and discussing one's transgendered status with adolescent and adult children is frequently one of the most difficult issues brought up by clients in my counseling practice. Because our western society is polarized with gender and sexual stereotypes transgendered individuals survive relatively closeted familially and socially making these issues all the more difficult to talk about.