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TransYouth Family Allies (TYFA) unveils new name, look, mission, vision and materials

PHOENIX, AZ– TransYouth Family Allies (formerly TransYouth Family Advocates/TYFA) announced the first phase of its new communications project today with the unveiling of a new logo and publication of updated mission and vision statements. These will be incorporated into newly developed programs and materials.

TYFA Executive Director Kim Pearson said, “Our new programs and materials were developed in consultation with gender identity and curriculum development specialists to ensure that our content is accurate, professional and of the highest quality. As we learn and grow, our programs continue to evolve. This evolution has positioned TYFA as a force for change that none of us could have imagined even six short months ago.”

TYFA President Shannon Garcia added, “TYFA’s position is that the needs of gender variant and transgender children are best served by a team consisting of the parents, the children themselves, health care providers who are understanding, knowledgeable and supportive, and adult transgender mentors. We rely on our well-respected transgender board members and advisors Jamison Green, Andrea James, Moonhawk River Stone, Reid Vanderburgh, Dr. Julie Nemecek, and Dr. Kelley Winters, for their historical perspective, experience and guidance on matters of policy and practice related to transgender issues. Still, the true direction of TYFA will always be defined by the children and families we serve.”

TYFA has examined all aspects of their organization, including the name itself. Going forward the A in TYFA will stand for “Allies.” The term “ally” expands TYFA’s advocacy role to include all relationships formed among children, families, schools, service providers and communities that allow trans and gender variant children to be happy and successful.

The TYFA logo redesign was developed from a concept by transgender teenager Shawn-Dedric Pearson. Mr. Pearson envisioned three triangles symbolizing youth who identify as masculine (blue), as feminine (pink) and as gender-variant (amethyst). The three triangles overlap with each other to form a vivid amethyst triangle in the center. Amethyst is a traditional color used to symbolize transgender people, and it echoes TYFA’s Amethyst Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness about suicide prevention among gender-variant youth.

The smaller “Y” in the new TYFA logotype evokes the form of a youth and is set in TYFA amethyst, highlighting the young people who are the focus of TYFA’s mission. The stylized youth is holding hands between the trans “T” and the family “F,” forming a link between groups working hand-in-hand to help trans youth, the trans community and the families and allies who support trans children.

Board member Evelyn Lindenmuth added, “TYFA envisions communities free of suicide and violence in which all children are espected and celebrated. We encourage everyone to work together for the greater good. Our gender variant and transgender children are depending on us all to provide new understanding. Difference isn’t wrong, it just is.”

TransYouth Family Allies (TYFA) is a national nonprofit that empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.

Kim Pearson, Executive Director
kimp@imatyfa.org
1-888-462-8932 (888-IMA-TYFA)

This is the CNN story that ran Tuesday, February 12th

UPDATE: CNN has changed the air time for this piece to between 5:30PM-6:30PM EST so that it will be on PRIME TIME news. Make sure you tune in!!

TYFA Executive Director Kim Pearson will appear on the CNN Headline News today at 3PM EST to discuss a family that TYFA has been working with in Colorado. This family has an 8 year old affirmed female that has been enrolled in school as a female after previously attending the same school as a male.

A parent in their community contacted the local media to express his “concerns” about this child entering their school. There was a local story done on the family that was not very favorable. The case has now been picked up by the national news and will be discussed today on CNN.

Please tune in and offer your comments to CNN and your support for this wonderful family.

TransYouth Family Advocates, Inc. is on the road

TYFA Executive Director, Kim Pearson, President, Shannon Garcia, Director “Just Evelyn”, and Board of Advisors Member Dr. Kelley Winters (Keynote Speaker) will hit the road to Denver to present at the Colorado Gold Rush Conference. The conference will take place February 21-23, 2008 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Denver.

TYFA will present four dynamic family workshops on Saturday, February 23, 2008. The full day of workshops will be included in your registration fee of only $50.00 per adult and kids are free.    

Successful Partnering With Schools K-12
Does your child’s school accept and affirm their gender identity and expression as you do?  Do they have the education and tools they need to provide the optimal learning environment for your gender variant child?  TYFA can help you learn effective communication techniques for educating your child’s school on topics such as using proper names and pronouns, bathroom and physical education accommodations, and changing gender markers to reflect the child’s true identity.

Creating Positive Media Experiences
Have you, or do you anticipate being approached by the media to do an interview? Our families are increasingly sought out by media outlets wanting to present the life stories of gender variant and transgender children and their families.  Once your story is on national television you can’t take it back. Let us provide you with an informational packet and discussion to help you make informed decisions about your participation with the media

Find Healthcare Providers for your Gender Variant Child No Matter Where You Live
Not all of us live in major metropolitan areas with access to specialists well versed in treating gender variant and trans youth.  Do you live in rural America?  Do you need practical tips and techniques to find healthcare providers for your child?  This is the course for you.  In this hands-on, interactive session, we will empower you with tools to find, screen, network, and educate your child’s health care team.

Who, How, When?  Informing Others of Your Child’s Gender Variance
Do you ask yourself these questions?  Do you have difficulty determining if and when it is appropriate to disclose your child’s gender expression?  TYFA will help you formulate disclosure plans and introduce you to the A.C.E. Program (Attitude, Confidence, and Education) to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.

In years past Colorado Gold Rush has been an adult focused conference with family programming being introduced for the first time last year. Let’s show them how many families of gender variant and transgender children there are out there! Come join us!

For more information and to register, please visit the Colorado Gold Rush and TYFA information page. Choose the option for Single Day of Workshops Only. Meals are available as part of the conference, but need to be purchased separately as indicated on the registration page. Families interested in attending other workshops offered on any day of the conference may do so for an additional fee. If you have questions or concerns regarding the registration process please contact Kate kath539@earthlink.net.

We hope to see you there!

TransYouth Family Advocates, Inc. (TYFA) is proud to announce the launch of TYFA-TALK!

TYFA_TALK is an online support group and referral source for parents, grandparents and guardians negotiating the journey of raising gender variant and transgender children ages 3-18. Members will be able to ask questions, gather information and seek support and referrals from TYFA Board Members and other parents, grandparents and guardians who are also raising gender variant and transgender children.

Prospective members will be asked to provide a brief bio including their first name and the first name and age of their child, along with a phone number at which they can be reached. Prospective members may be interviewed via telephone at the moderator’s discretion. All information will be held confidential, as TYFA_TALK is a members only group.

You may request membership by emailing shannong@imatyfa.org or by visiting TYFA_TALK-subscribe@yahoo.com.

We are excited about the opportunity to bring families together and provide a forum for support and information gathering. We look forward to hearing from you all!