This Sunday – the first Sunday in November – is Trans Parent Day.  First established in 2009, this awareness day aims to celebrate and honour transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming parents. Trans Parent Day also extends to include parents who have transgender children.

The day typically involves small celebrations and gift-giving to a parent or caregiver – in much the same way as happens on Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day. After all, not every parent identifies as a mum or a dad, and it’s important to celebrate and give thanks for all parental figures, as we each play an important part within our own family environment and in collectively raising the next generation.

In the last five years, trans parents have become more visible and more vocal on social media with regard to their journey to parenthood and the challenges they face in obtaining fertility and maternity services. A number of different research projects are currently underway to help better understand what LGBTQ+ parents experience when accessing fertility and pregnancy care.

Despite the lack of published research, NHS Brighton & Sussex University Hospital Trust have led the way with a mission statement and guidelines for staff and service users regarding the use of “Gender Inclusive Language in Perinatal Services”, to make their maternity services more accessible for LGBTQ+ parents. DadPad is currently working on a new guide for LGBTQ+ co-parents, which we can’t wait to share with you soon…

In the meantime, Happy Trans Parent Day to all our trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming followers!

Further information on/links to trans-parent-related research:

All 4 Maternity article on Inclusion in Maternity Care

BSUH Gender Inclusive Language in Perinatal Services Guidelines

Copenhagen 2021 Trans Parent Day Interview from 2020

Family Equality‘s family building information for trans parents (USA based)

ITEMS Project in partnership with the LGBT Foundation and NHS England

Mermaids Charity, supporting transgender, non-binary and gender diverse young people and their families

UK documentaries following trans fertility, pregnancy and parenting journeys:

• Seahorse: The Dad Who Gave Birth
• Our Baby: A Modern Miracle (C4)

Trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming parent visibility on social media:

• Kayden X Coleman on Instagram (US parent)
• Freddy McConnell on Instagram (UK parent)
• Hannah Graf and Jake Graf on Instagram (UK parents)
• Lilli/Swole on Instagram (UK birth worker)
• AJ Silver/Birthkeeper Doula on Instagram (UK parent, birth worker and training provider)