As awareness about trans people has increased over the years, issues about trans and gender identities have sometimes been the subject of controversies, heated debates, and even confusion when it comes to children and youth.

Most recently, a disagreement over the right to transition became the subject of a court case here in B.C.

In late February, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that a 14-year-old transgender boy, supported by his mother and medical professionals, should be allowed to proceed with a gender transition from female to male, despite objections and a lack of consent from his father, who has since filed an appeal.

To offer more understanding about issues related to children and gender identities, SFU sociology professor Ann Travers will be presenting a talk about trans issues and youth.

Travers is the author of the 2018 nonfiction book The Trans Generation: How Trans Kids (and Their Parents) Are Creating a Gender Revolution), which takes a look at the experiences of children who are growing up transgender, ranging in age from 4 to 20 years old, across Canada and the U.S.  

Travers is also leading a study about video game technology and gender diverse youth in the Lower Mainland.

Tonight, Travers will talk about the importance of expanding a focus beyond transgender children who have gained visibility in the mainstream (and who are primarily white and economically privileged) in order to include transgender children from a wider socioeconomic range.

The lecture will include how to support trans kids and what research and initiatives about and for trans youth are currently underway.

The free event will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight (March 14) at the SFU Segal Graduate School of Business (500 Granville Street) in Downtown Vancouver. For more information or to register, visit the event webpage.