Families in TRANSition (FIT) is a 10-week closed group for parents / caregivers of 2-Spirit, trans, non-binary, gender-questioning youth (ages 13-24) who have recently learned of their child’s gender identity.
Overview
This group typically runs 4 times a year, for 10 weeks. Please contact [email protected] for more information about registration and dates.
For now, this service continues to operate virtually. Parents from anywhere in the GTA, throughout Ontario, or across Canada are therefore eligible to join.
Participants will be supported to:
- Gain tools and knowledge to help improve communication and strengthen their relationship with their youth
- Learn about social, legal and physical transition options
- Strengthen skills for managing strong emotions (fear, sadness, worry, etc.)
- Explore societal/cultural/religious beliefs that impact trans youth and their families
- Build skills to support their youth and family when facing discrimination/transphobia/transmisogyny
- Promote youth mental health and resilience
Contact
For more information, or to register, please contact group facilitator
Jordan Zaitzow – [email protected]
There is also a FIT youth group that is open to youth ages 13-24 whose parents /caregivers have, are, or will be attending the adult group. The youth group focuses on gender exploration, identity, and activism, through an arts-based lens. Contact Char Bondy [email protected] for more details!
Recent Families in TRANSition group participants…
“As the group progressed I just felt a little more on solid ground. The more we learned…and opened up new perspectives, I felt a bit more confident and that helped when I was talking to my son. So when I’m face-to-face with him, I feel better about asking him what’s happening because I’m gaining confidence and feel perhaps I can be of assistance.”
“Over the course of the group I noticed changes in my behaviour and my language… But I noticed changes in my kid as well. They are telling me a bit more…and we have moved through some of the [social transition] steps together. I think me coming to the group helped them feel more confident to come out.”
“I feel like I’m more of an advocate for my child whereas before I didn’t know where it was appropriate to step in and [where it] was appropriate to be respectful, allowing my child to take the lead. But this whole process has opened up communication between us.”