Association
TransParents
Geneva

About us

The TransParents association was created by a group of parents of transgender, non-binary or gender-identity-questioning children. It is open to anyone interested in questions of gender identity, from the perspective of family support. It offers a friendly, safe space for exchange and dialogue to parents and relatives, whose diverse voices we want to make heard, and whose individual and family journeys we want to bear witness to.

TransParents Association - Geneva is a non-profit based on the articles 60 and on of the Swiss Civilian Law.

Our Objectives

To create a safe and caring space for exchange and dialogue between parents and relatives.

To help parents and relatives of transgender, non-binary or gender-identity-questioning people have diverse and plural exchanges and discussions.

To guide parents and relatives through the multitude of information available from associations and on the Internet.

Become a member

The TransParents association has around forty-five members (mid 2023). More than two-thirds are parents of transgender, non-binary or gender-identity-questioning children. The other members, relatives and/or allies, work to develop and raise the profile of the association's activities within associative and institutional networks.

Members meet at least once a year to discuss the association's strategic orientations.

The association offers three membership options.

  • 30 CHF – individual
  • 50 CHF - family
  • 20 CHF - suspended

The suspended membership fee allows people with financial difficulties to join the association while benefiting from the solidarity of other members.

Become a member

The TransParents Committee

Flore
Blancpain

Co-president

As a former delegate from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), I'm open to discovering new horizons. When my 13-year-old son announced to his father and me that he wasn't the gender we thought he was, I realized that I had to be open-minded to a subject I knew little about. Above all, I realized that my son would need his parents and those around him.

Along with other parents, we realized that there was no association of involved parents in French-speaking Switzerland. Bringing the voice and diversity of our young people to the fore, supporting them on their journey: all this seemed obvious to me, and in line with my values and commitments.

Sandrine
Gamblin

Secretary

As a teacher-researcher in the social sciences, I thought I knew and understood the issues surrounding LGBTQ+ people. When I learned that my 11-year-old child identified as transgender, I had to learn to live with it. I looked for the "right" support, from associations and professionals, in line with my values (listening and caring). But how do you sort through the multitude of information available when, as parents, you're struggling with your own doubts, fears and questions?

Sharing my experience, listening to other concerned parents, offering practical information, these are the motivations behind my involvement in the association.

Karel
Leeflang

Co-president

I'm passionate about agriculture and food, and work as a consultant on the challenge of feeding over 9 billion people in a healthy way, without destroying our planet. When our youngest child, now 16, explained he was a boy, my first two thoughts were that he should feel safe at home, and be able to express himself freely. Since then, it's been a journey of discovery, not always easy, sometimes lonely, but above all very rewarding; discovering a new way of parenting and understanding the importance of identity. The TransParents association has enabled me to meet other parents and exchange ideas with them. Now it's my turn to share my experiences as a parent of a trans person, and to convey a positive image of parenthood to the young people concerned.

Sophia
Kräuchi

Treasurer

Passionate about social justice and human issues, I trained as a lawyer and now work in the social sector. When my child came out as trans gender, my first reaction was one of pride, even great pride. To better support him, I read up on the subject and contacted associations. Through these structures, I met other caring parents, proud to grow every day, like me, with and thanks to their child.

With a group of parents, we set up the association to provide a voice of support, to help other parents, relatives and people concerned, and to share our values.

Our ethical charter

01

Kindness and respect

All members of the association aim to show kindness to transgender, non-binary and gender identity seekers, whatever their chosen path. Members should respect this same line of conduct between themselves and towards those close to the people concerned.

02

Confidentiality

Members undertake not to divulge information shared within the association concerning other members and their relatives. Any external sharing of information, particularly in the media, is subject to the explicit consent of the persons concerned and requires upfront agreement of the Association's Committee.

03

Privacy policy

All members respect the privacy of other members, their families and friends.

04

Neutrality

Members recognize that there are various modalities of gender transition and that each situation is personal and individual. Members undertake not to seek to impose their personal approach.

Become a member

Words ♡

A l’occasion de la journée mondiale du coming-out (11 octobre), des parents nous racontent…

But Mum !

"I already was a girl when I was born, it's just that you didn't know it yet!"

L.B. mother of E. (7.5 years old)

Once we'd got over the initial shock,

our love for A. enabled us to measure the tremendous adventure that lay ahead of us all.

Jacqueline, mother of A (21 years old)

Before leaving the house,

she slipped the book “Call me Nathan” (Appelez-moi Nathan) into my shopping bag, with a note: "Mom, I'm just like him, except that for me it's the other way around, I want to become a girl".

Isabelle, mother of A. (17 years old)

He had taped his new first name

and his pronouns on the door of his room when leaving for school. It's up to me to understand.

Flore, mother of A. (13 years old)

"I think you've guessed it mom, I'm actually transgender".

She texted this message before taking off for the States. I replied that we'd always be there for her, but had to wait until the plane landed 8-hours later to read her reply.

Céline, mother of M. (17 years old)

"Now I've found my place.

I finally feel good about myself."

E. 19, starting her transition.

"Mum, I have something not at all important to tell you".

I tell myself it's serious.
"I'm a boy".

Sandrine, mother of F. (11 years old)