While we advocate to end pediatric gender medicine and urge caution around adult medicalization, we also recognize that thousands of people have already gone down a medical pathway. Many of the effects of hormones and surgeries are irreversible. Tragically, some come to regret those bodily alterations, experience complications, and others live as healthy, well-functioning adults. Regardless of the outcome, we value human dignity, agency, safety and social inclusion.
Our project has two parts:
1. Research: We aim to investigate factors of resilience in the transsexual population. Why do some thrive and others not?
2. Advocacy: We will utilize the knowledge obtained from the research to create resources aimed at building resilience among young people who have taken a medical pathway and identify as trans. While we are committed to ending pediatric medicalization, we also recognize that thousands of young people have already taken that path, and continue to be medicalized. They will require support to live full lives with dignity. Every one is someone's child.
Key stakeholders (educators, clinicians, parents, transsexuals, women and men) in issues related to how sex and gender identity apply to policy, law, and social inclusion, engage in respectful, cooperative conversations and negotiations, to better understand each other’s needs and concerns. Whenever possible, the outcome of our dialogue results in policy recommendations and position statements. This work is the heart of Parallel Dignity. We believe the best solutions are ones born of mutual care and understanding.
