Qualitative study exploring the lived experiences of 22 parents and caregivers of trans and gender diverse (TGD) youth residing in U.S. states with gender-affirming care (GAC) bans; 20 semi-structured interviews conducted in summer–fall 2024.
Three overarching themes emerged: (1) uncertainty navigating shifting policy and cultural contexts; (2) complexity across family, community, and institutional/societal levels; and (3) emotional cores of caregiver experience — anger, feeling fortunate, grief/helplessness, and love/protection for their child. Families who stayed in ban states and those who relocated both reported unmet needs around insurance, healthcare access, employment, housing, education, and legal protection.
- Very small, non-representative sample (n=22) recruited via social media, support groups, and therapists — likely skewed toward families with existing support networks. - Cross-sectional design cannot capture how experiences evolve as policies change. - No data on child outcomes; only caregiver perspectives are represented.
Clinicians supporting families of TGD youth in ban states should screen for financial, legal, and housing stressors alongside mental health concerns, as these compound caregiver distress. Connecting families to insurance navigation, legal resources, and affirming community networks is as important as direct psychological support.
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