HealthInfo Canterbury
Gender identity resources for whānau
Rauemi tuakiri ā-ira mā ngā whānau
The resources on this page offer advice for whānau (families) of rangatahi (young people) who are exploring their gender or identify as gender diverse. They include practical ways to support your tamaiti (child) and tips for talking to schools or whānau members.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Be There
Be There is a national initiative by the Rainbow Support Collective, a collaborative effort between the organisations across Aotearoa that serve our rainbow (LGBTQIA+), gender and sex diverse community.
- Storm Clouds and Rainbows
Storm Clouds and Rainbows, published by Be There, offers insights from a parent perspective on how best to support a transgender tamaiti. It's based on international research and interviews with parents in Aotearoa from different social and cultural backgrounds.
- OUTLine – Let's talk, a resource guide for parents
Common questions and tips for parents of LGBTQ tamariki. There's also a factsheet for Families of LGBTQ rangatahi.
- Fenway Health – Tips for parents & guardians of transgender youth
Tips for things to say to your tamaiti and things to say to others.
- Human Rights Campaign – Supporting & caring for transgender children
Steps that whānau and community members can take to support transgender and gender-expansive tamariki in their lives.
- Mermaids – Parents
Information for parents who would like to know more about helping their tamaiti discover their gender.
Written by Ko Awatea gender-affirming care co-design group. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2023.
SourcesReview key: HISOG-53214
