Let's change the pace: how are European trans and gender diverse children doing?

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,...

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.

The project results were 1. Increased capacities of 50 and more parents coming from consortium partner countries and others in Europe, to advocate for trans* children's social and health rights; 2. Production of parents' video testimonials: we have collected 20 video testimonials, some of which were combined in a short documentary movie called "Hug Me" plus a short video report of the international Conference; 3.The publishing of 3 e-booklets covering topics discussed in the three webinars: experience of parents (first), parents' organizations (second), and health rights (third), where the first one has 60 pages, while the other 2 have around 30 pages each; 4. The publishing and distribution of a joint document (Parents' Manifesto) that summarizes parents’ claims for better health and social solutions in Europe for their trans* children. The project directly contributed to the changes in the law in Portugal that protect trans*minors' rights, while members of the project continue to get invited to different events (EU Committee online meeting of the regions marking the May 17 IDAHOBIT, and Euro Pride in September 2023, in Malta) to discuss the parents' role around the quality of life of trans* children and youth across Europe.