ABSTRACT

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in transgender issues in Spain, influenced by the growing acceptance of sexual minorities and gender equality. Despite growing media attention, new legislation allowing name and sex changes in all documents, and budding literature, progress in the areas of family relationships and assistance to children and youths is insufficient. For instance, the links between family responses and social change are understudied. Interviewing 12 parents and 8 education, health, and social work professionals provides a closer look into the situation of gender-nonconforming children and trans youths, and highlights families’ and professionals’ mutual influence and the journey narratives take between them. These families face shock and uncertainty and lack assistance and information, which makes them feel isolated from the external world and alone, as in having no peers or social networks of other parents going through the same experiences. In addition, parents often report feeling guilty. They seek assistance from professionals who often also feel they lack sufficient training and are reluctant to work with these youths, fearing children may grow up to be gay instead of transgender, or may not show gender nonconformity in their adult life.