PRYSM Care Navigation

PYRSM Care Navigation is about supporting your trans and gender-nonconforming youth through their transition.

OUTMemphis strives to provide trans and gender-nonconforming youth and legal guardians of trans and gender-non-conforming youth whatever they need: whether it’s referrals, transportation, financial assistance, or family support. 

Transitioning can include a variety of changes that can be social, legal or medical. 

A few simple tips to supporting your child

As a parent or caregiver, you naturally want what’s best for your child. 

As an accepting person, you might still struggle to understand your child’s feelings and worry for their future and safety. Even as you sort out your own feelings, your child needs to feel loved and affirmed by family. 

Researchers have found that trans youth with affirming families had similar mental health outcomes to a cisgender control group,1 and family support is the strongest predictor of depression, anxiety and resilience, more important than friends and the trans community. 

KEY THINGS TO DO: 

• Use their pronouns 

• Advocate for them 

• Educate yourself 

• Show unconditional love

Gender Basics

Sex

A person’s biological status, usually assigned at birth.

Transgender

A person whose sex assigned at birth does not match their gender.

Gender

A social construct that can includes a person’s identities, expressions and societal roles.

Non-binary

An umbrella term that refers to folks whose gender is outside the male/female binary.

Questions

  • Tennessee state law forbids medical procedures and medications associated with transitioning for minors. A parent or legal guardian can legally assist with out‑of‑state care.

Cisgender

A person whose sex assigned at birth matches their gender.

Transitioning

A set of social, legal and medical changes that a trans or non-binary person seeks to affirm their gender identity.

  • Schools in the Mid-South have mixed records on protection for trans and non-binary youth. Some parents choose to homeschool, others seek advice from peers and LGBTQ+ organizations about affirming schools, and OUTMemphis can connect families with legal centers that defend kids who experience bullying and discrimination.