Some Additional Reading

If you would like to learn more about people with transgender identities and their families' experiences, the publications and websites below represent some of what has been written about transgender identity.  Some books also address the topic of families with a transgender relative.  These publications and websites may include a range of views on transgender identity from conservative to liberal, and their inclusion below does not necessarily imply an endorsement by the Regeneration Resource Center.  Most of the available resources so far are written from a secular perspective, except for the resources from Focus on the Family, McDonald, McDonald, & Justino (2019), as well as Yarhouse (2015).  Even if you disagree with the author's viewpoint on transgender identity, you may still learn something useful.

• Blogs and videos on transgenderism from Harvest USA.  Harvest USA's mission is to help individuals and families affected by sexual struggles by providing resources from a conservative perspective that address biblical sexuality.  After clicking on the link, select the "Transgenderism" button to sort the group of blogs and videos.

• Boenke, M. (2008). Trans Forming Families. Hardy, VA: Oak Knoll Press.  

  • This book contains stories written by families about their transgender loved ones.  The authors write from a mostly secular perspective and have arrived at acceptance.

• Brill, S. A., & Pepper, R. (2008). The transgender child. San Francisco, CA.: Cleis Press.

  • This book is written from a secular perspective.  See especially Chap. 2, Family acceptance: From crisis to empowerment.

• Brown, M. & Rounsley, C.A. (2003).  True selves: Understanding transsexualism-- for families, friends, coworkers, and helping professionals.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.  

  • This book is aimed at helping readers understand transgender people and is written from a secular perspective.

• Buxton, A.  (1994).  The other side of the closet: The coming-out crisis for straight spouses and families. New York: J. Wiley.  

  • Although this book does not specifically focus on the effect that coming out has on transgender people's family members, some aspects may still be applicable.  This book is written from a secular perspective.

• Ehrensaft, D. (2011). Gender born, gender made: Raising healthy gender-nonconforming children. New York: Experiment.

  • This book is written from a secular perspective.  See especially Chap. 2, The family’s path is covered with roses and thorns.

• Kids of Trans Resource Guide  ​was written for children (of any age) who have transgender parents.  It is written from a secular perspective. It is available from COLAGE by making a request.

• Gottlieb, A. R., & Lev, A. I. (2019). Families in transition: Parenting gender diverse children, adolescents, and young adults. New York: Harrington Park Press.

  • This book is written from a secular perspective.  See especially Ch. 5 on the effect of a child’s gender identity on extended family relationships, Ch. 11 on its effect on the parents’ identity, and Ch. 17 on how to support the siblings of a child with a transgender identity.

• McDonald, G. & McDonald, L. with Jusino, B.  (2019).  Embracing the journey: A Christian parent's blueprint to loving your LGBTQ child.  New York, NY: Howard Books.

  • This book describes the experience of Christian parents as they dealt with their gay son's coming out process.​  While it is not specifically about dealing with a transgender child, there may be aspects of the authors' experience that apply to this situation.

• Resources for transgenderism and gender identity disorder from Focus on the Family.  

  • The main focus of these resources appears to be helping readers understand transgender identity from a conservative Christian perspective, addressing children’s questions about this topic, and providing position statements.

• Yarhouse, M. (2015). Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.  

  • This book helps readers understand transgender people from a conservative Christian perspective.

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Other Resources

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Do you have suggestions for other resources that should be included on this page?  Please use the contact form below to reach the Regeneration Resource Center.