Talk about it. Understand the risk & impacts.

Understanding THC and its impact

THC is a psychoactive drug, which changes the function of the nervous system and, in turn, a person’s mental state, it alters the senses, alters the perception of time, changes moods, impairs body movement, increases difficulty with thinking, problem-solving, and impairs memory.

THC impacts individuals, families, schools and communities. Start the conversation.

… It’s a journey for a child, and a journey for a parent. … Parents may wonder, or even doubt, that their child is sure they’re genderdiverse, but the benefits of being with them on their journey, no matter what the outcome, are powerful.”

Syvertson-Hagestuen trained with Stephanie Brill, the author of “The Transgender Child” and “The Transgender Teen,” and founder of the group Gender Spectrum. When Brill moved to Jackson in 2017, she said most therapists were sending families to Salt Lake City or Denver for therapy because they did not feel as if they had the training and experience necessary to deal with transgender or gender-diverse patients.

“It came from the goodness of their hearts,” Brill says. “They wanted families to be with a therapist with experience, but imagine being told you have to drive four hours to get therapy. You’re being told you don’t belong here.”

Brill helped establish virtual support groups for families and kids in Jackson, Teton Valley, and across Wyoming. She provides learning opportunities for therapists and resources for families, so they don’t feel as if they must leave the area to find guidance. Now Syvertson-Hagestuen and Smirl are among the small, but growing, number of therapists in the area trained to work with gender-diverse clients and their families.

“In the past, a lot of transgender and nonbinary community members felt so uncomfortable they moved away,” Brill says. “My feeling is that people shouldn’t have to choose between the land they love and the community they grew up in, and being themselves.”

Still Sarah and Steve think their child will probably need to leave the area to really thrive, at least for a while. Right now, they say the political climate in both Wyoming and Idaho is hostile and unwelcoming, even though their child has found a network of accepting friends and attends support groups for gender-diverse youth in Jackson Hole that has helped them gain confidence.

“It’s scary,” says Sarah. “It feels as if government is trying to come between you and your child and your doctor. The message these bills send out to our kids is that they shouldn’t exist, that something is innately wrong with them.”

Salix is a junior in high school. Salix identifies as genderqueer and uses “they/ them” pronouns. Salix is also gay. They say they can’t ignore the politics.

Pronouns In Email Signatures

More and more often individuals are opting to include their pronouns in their email signatures. For cisgender people, this may seem unnecessary. But it’s not. You should never assume another person’s identity based on their appearance or name. Furthermore, it can be awkward and uncomfortable for people to have to ask or tell everyone they’ve ever met or worked with to use pronouns that may not be readily apparent. So, help people out. Just make note of your pronouns. It sends out a message that you are a safe and welcoming ally to all people, regardless of their gender or sexual identity.

“It’s hard to see the people that we’ve elected—well not me, I’m only 16, but the people my town has elected—it’s hard to see them make these decisions that are either directly or indirectly harmful.

“All I’ve really wanted is respect,” Salix says. “Sure, I’m gay, but I’m also a human being. We are all humans.”

Respect, according to Salix, comes down to listening and trying.

“What matters to me is not that you are 100 percent perfect, but that you are trying,” they say. “I can tell when someone is trying and that means a lot to me.”

“I don’t think parents have to fear change,” Brill says. “Our kids live in a more complex world than we grew up in. It can be a monumental task to know how to parent in this time.

But kids need the same thing from us that they have always needed. They need our ear, they need boundaries, they need unconditional love and support, and they need a safe place to work through challenges.”

Statistics show that genderdiverse youth are vulnerable. The Trevor Project, a group dedicated to ending suicide among LGBTQ young people, conducted a survey in 2022 that showed 45 percent of LGBTQ youth had seriously contemplated suicide, while more than half of all transgender and nonbinary youth have had suicidal ideations. Such young people are at risk, not because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but because of the way they are mistreated and stigmatized by society.

“Being gender-diverse in and of itself does not elevate risk. Rather it’s ignorance, rejection, and stigmatization that makes this population more vulnerable,” Syvertson-Hagestuen says.

Sarah and Steve do worry. People notice Alex. They have piercings and colorful hair, and sometimes dress in a way that pushes the boundaries of gender expectations.

“It’s important to support Alex in who they want to be, that’s the job of all parents, but we have fear—fear of how others will

If I had one wish, in their words...

Teton Youth & Family Services is here for you. Any Day. Any Time.

Offering case management and therapeutic support for young children navigating trauma to residential and wilderness-based opportunities for teenagers facing an array of challenges.

Helping children and families find their way. Reach us at 307.733.6440 or visit TYFS.ORG treat our child,” Steve says. “Alex has to remember that outside our house, they are a target. Self-expression is great as long as you feel safe. We discuss safety plans in ways we wish we didn’t have to. But that’s the reality. Our child is a target just for being themselves.”

“We have a really amazing kid,” Sarah says. “They are smart, artistic, funny, athletic. Being trans is just one thing about them; it’s not even the most interesting thing about them.

“We want people to realize that those of us raising trans and nonbinary kids are not so different, so scary, so ‘other,’” she says. “We are just families trying to do what is best for our kids.” tf

Local Support Groups

Parents and Caregivers of Transgender, Nonbinary, Gender-Expansive, and Questioning Children and Teens Virtual Support Group: Zoom meetings held the third Tuesday of each month 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. MST. sbrill@genderspectrum.org

Virtual Support Group for Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Questioning Teens and Adults: Zoom Meetings held the second Tuesday of each month 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. MST. tinyurl.com/3dyv33vr

Gender Diverse Youth Meet-Up, adult supervised: Meetings held once a month, irregular dates. tinyurl.com/3dyv33vr