Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mandy Giles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Mandy, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The starting point in the story of Parents of Trans Youth was quitting my office job in nonprofit fundraising in early March 2020. I needed to do something different that aligned with my values and would also allow me to use my skills and talents that I hadn’t been using in that position.

Meanwhile, during that time and even a couple of years before, as the parent of two transgender children, I was constantly being connected with other parents of trans kids all over the country who needed my support in their own parenting journeys. I learned that parents of trans kids are hungry for connection, support, and learning but have trouble finding it easily, and I wanted to provide those services on a larger scale.

I took a leap of faith and quit my job to build something around advocating for transgender kids. I had no idea what form my resource would take but knew it would involve educating and speaking. Then the pandemic hit a week later, and I was devastated. My dream was on hold, and it took me awhile to figure out what my path would look like in a post-covid world. Fortunately, my silver lining to the pandemic was that I was able to use that time to really refine my message and my audience.

Initially I wanted to be the perky, happy voice of supporting your trans kids – not an “angry activist!” However, through my involvement in the 2021 Texas legislative session, I witnessed first-hand a completely different side of what it means to support transgender kids. When your government is taking away the rights of a marginalized group of people and trying to erase them from public existence, it’s time to get angry! I realized that I needed to use that anger and frustration to protect trans kids and be louder about the discrimination that’s happening in Texas and all over the country.

Advocating for transgender kids through that grueling legislative session plus three special sessions, I saw parents not only love and affirm their trans kids but also fight like hell for them. I knew the messaging for what would become Parents of Trans Youth needed to include not only the joy, celebration, and challenges of parenting trans kids but also the need to fight for them and to use my voice to fight back and encourage others to do so.

Throughout 2021, I met with transgender adults, medical experts, other parents of trans youth, and advocates to help discern where I fit into this sphere of advocating for trans kids. I explored how I could use my voice and skills with integrity, because I’m not transgender and can’t speak for trans kids or the trans community. I researched what was already being offered in Houston and Texas, how other parents around the country use their voices and serve others, and any gaps in service.

In February of 2022, I launched Parents of Trans Youth as a mission-driven business. I’m helping parents all over the country (and world!) know that they’re not alone and can get support from someone who’s been there; I’m also privileged to use my platform to raise awareness about the fight to protect trans kids.

Mandy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For most parents, learning that their child is transgender is a huge adjustment. Oftentimes, parents feel alone and overwhelmed and don’t know where or how to process their complicated emotions. Even if a parent is supportive, they may not know where to start.

Parents of Trans Youth provides learning, support, and community to parents and caregivers of trans and gender diverse kids. I share practical tips and tools so parents can find the joy in supporting their trans kids, even while riding that emotional roller coaster. Our accessible information is presented with honesty, vulnerability, joy, and humor so they can feel more comfortable and confident in parenting their transgender children. I help parents make peace with their journeys with their trans kids by providing them with a safe space to ask questions, easy-to-understand, patient explanations, and validation for complicated feelings.

I bring a unique perspective to helping parents through my lived experience as the parent of two transgender children; my leadership and involvement in several local and state-wide advocacy organizations; and my large network of other parents of transgender youth, experts, and transgender adults. Additionally, because my transgender children are over the age of 18, I’m currently one of the few parents of trans youth in Texas who is willing and able to speak publicly without fear of being targeted by state government agencies.

Parents of Trans Youth currently offers an introductory online course, 1:1 direct support for parents, online and in-person events, and support and educational content on social media. I also speak often at universities, schools, organizations, and companies about how to support trans kids and young adults, my path to advocacy, turning allyship into action, and the climate in Texas for transgender children and their families. Parents of Trans Youth is also where my personal advocacy work lives, and I’ve spent lots of time at the Texas Capitol fighting anti-trans legislation.

What gets me through each day is knowing that this work is a marathon and not a sprint. I have to remember what fuels my fire. It’s because I love my kids and that all transgender kids are worthy of fighting for and deserve the same rights and opportunities as any other kids.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Every day, I ask myself if I’m serving my community with honestly, integrity, and vulnerability. As a cisgender straight person, I’m incredibly careful in how I use my voice to advocate for transgender kids and am mindful to speak from my own experience.

Rather than constantly selling, I give generously from my knowledge, experience, and resources; most of what I provide is free in order to serve as many people as possible. While this philosophy can prove challenging for a business, my mission is at the forefront of everything I do, and I believe that my audience appreciates this approach. This outlook is also evident to other educators, advocates, and creators in my space and has opened doors to fun and rewarding collaborations.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

“You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero gave me the kick in the pants I needed to follow my dream! This book helped me realize that I already had all the talent, wisdom, and experience I needed to start my business, and I was the only one holding me back. I love the author’s direct, no-holds-barred style that encouraged me to believe in myself, make some decisions, and get going. Whenever I slip into imposter syndrome or worry what people might think, I remember that I CAN do this and that I am worthy of good things that will come my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.parentsoftransyouth.com
• Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/parentsoftransyouth/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parentsoftransyouth1/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandygiles/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@parentsoftransyouth