Transgender Youth: Perceptions, Media Influences and Social Challenges

257 Pages·2016·1.99 MB·English

by  Shemya Vaughn (ed.)

HUMAN SEXUALITY

T Y
RANSGENDER OUTH

P , M I
ERCEPTIONS EDIA NFLUENCES
S C
AND OCIAL HALLENGES

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H S
UMAN EXUALITY

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HUMAN SEXUALITY

T Y
RANSGENDER OUTH

P , M I
ERCEPTIONS EDIA NFLUENCES
S C
AND OCIAL HALLENGES

SHEMYA VAUGHN
EDITOR

New York
Copyright © 2016 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

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Published by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. † New York
CONTENTS

Preface vii
Short Commentary: A Transgender Narrative:
"I Can Now Live My Truth" ix
Ri Patrick
Chapter 1 The Genders We Live: Transgender Youth and
Young Adults in an Era of Expanding
Gender Paradigms 1
Eion G. Cashman and Andrew S. Walters
Chapter 2 The Challenges of Transgender Youth 37
Dennis A. Bunton and Julie M. Smirl
Chapter 3 Transgender Christians: Gender Identity, Family
Relationships, and Religious Faith 51
Mark A. Yarhouse and Dara Houp
Chapter 4 Transgender Adolescents and Transactional Sex 67
Andrew P. Barnett, Monica S. Ruiz and
Maria Cecilia Zea
Chapter 5 “And Then. Well. And Then I Became Me.”:
Transgender Identities in Motion 97
Kaylynne E. Gray and Andrew S. Walters
Chapter 6 Transgender Youth in Foster Care:
Creating an Inclusive and Affirming Environment 129
Adam McCormick
vi Contents
Chapter 7 Leveling the Playing Field for All: Safe, Fair, and
Equal Inclusion of Transgender Youth Athletes.
Part One 143
Adam F. Yerke and Ashley Fortier
Chapter 8 Leveling the Playing Field for All: Safe, Fair, and
Equal Inclusion of Transgender Youth Athletes.
Part Two 165
Adam F. Yerke and Ashley Fortier
Chapter 9 Christian Parents' Experiences of Transgender Youth
during the Coming out Process 193
Mark A. Yarhouse, Dara Houp, Julia Sadusky and
Olya Zaporozhets
Chapter 10 Transgender Youth: Ways to Be an Ally
and Advocate 209
Mariotta Gary-Smith and Judith E. Steinhart
About the Authors 223
Index 229
PREFACE

This book was created to give voice to a population being silenced by
some caregivers, school officials, religious leaders, and politicians.
Transgender Youth: Perceptions, Media Influences and Social Challenges, is
about the experience of child development, adolescent development and
gender identity development and society’s positive and negative responses.
Written in 2016, Transgender Youth: Perceptions, Media Influences and
Social Challenges demonstrates that transgender youth have some elements
that their 1950s and 1960s counterparts did not experience – hormone
blockers, celebrity role models, and social media. As researchers, educators,
and clinicians, we hope this book brings the reader closer to empathy for
transgender youth and transgender young adults and propels the reader toward
action to improve the lives of these exceptional children and adolescents.
The book starts with a narrative to provide one example of how
transgender youths experience their world. Chapter 1 introduces the topic of
gender dysphoria and explains various terms important to this conversation
regarding gender identity. Chapter 2 describes the challenges transgender
youth experience to include barriers and obstacles not faced by their cisgender
counterparts. In Chapter 3, transgender Christian youth discuss gender
dysphoria, gender identity development, their families’ response to their
gender expression, and their experiences within their faith communities.
Chapter 4 reviews the literature on transgender youth and the use of sexual
activity as commerce. Chapter 5 summarizes the narrative histories of
individuals who identify as transgender or transsexual, starting with their
understanding of childhood gender identity experiences. Chapter 6 discusses
transgender youth within the foster care system, and the rejection, bullying,
harassment, isolation, and instability they experience. Chapters 7 and 8
viii Shemya Vaughn
concern transgender youth athletes and the issues they face in school-based
and intramural sports programs. In Chapter 9, Christian parents share their
experiences and responses to their children disclosing their transgender
identity. Lastly, the book ends with Chapter 10, which provides concrete ideas
for allies to implement as they support transgender youth in their school and
communities.
This book would not have been possible without the support of Ashley
McClinton, Dr. Elizabeth Bradshaw-Livingston, Paul Livingston, and my
parents James and Janice Vaughn. There are numerous women I would like to
thank for encouraging me in the editing process: Dr. Jenelle Pitt, Dr. Christie
Cruise, Dr. Angela Coker, and Tashiana Cheeks. I would also like to
acknowledge my colleagues from Maryville University – Dr. Michael Kiener,
Dr. Bob Bertolino, and Dr. Kate Kline. Finally, I want to thank all of the
authors who have generously shared their advice, wisdom and experience
through their contributions throughout this book.
Regardless of the reason for purchasing this text, read it with care and
consider the educators, researchers and clinicians who serve this population.
Use your voice to vote for measures that will create a safer community, a more
positive learning space and a more welcoming home environment for
transgender youth.