How to Talk About Gender (with your kids)

by Vann Jones

If you’re curious about how to talk with your kids about gender, here are three ideas to get you started!

Indulge in playing dress up with your children! Go to a thrift store and allow your children to pick out some toys and clothes that they enjoy, encouraging them to explore items outside of the restrictions of their traditional gender roles.

Watch shows with your children that feature transgender characters! It’s a great way to explain the importance and use of pronouns, as well as familiarize your kiddos with trans representation in the media. Some top picks for family-friendly shows:

• Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Netflix)

• She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix)

• The Owl House (Disney+)

• Ridley Jones (Netflix)

• Dead End Paranomal Park (Netflix)

• Steven Universe (Hulu)

• Craig of the Creek (HBO Max)

Read books with your children that discuss transgender identity or feature transgender characters with your children!

For Younger Readers:

• Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall

• The Light of You by Trystan Reese and Biff Chaplow, Illustrated by Van Binfa

• I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

• My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

• Annie’s Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids, Illustrated by Rachel Balsaitis

• I Am Not a Girl: A Transgender Story by Maddox Lyons & Jessica Verdi, Illustrated by Dana Simpson

For Intermediate Readers:

• George by Alex Gino

• Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan

• My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy?!: A Trans Positive Children's Book by Sophie Labelle

• For Pre-Teens & Teens:

• The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

• The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey

• Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky