The US-based Biden Foundation has launched a campaign that encourages parents of transgender children to understand and support them.

The foundation, which was set up by former vice-president Joe Biden and his family launched the Advancing Acceptance campaign on February 5. The organisation is partnering with the Movement Advancement Project and Gender Spectrum to make a number of resources available to parents and their transgender children.

Among the resources is an infographic, demonstrating the positive impact of familiar acceptance on young trans people, and a Q&A video with two parents of a trans boy.

The parents, Hilary Berman and Jon Ruth speak about their son’s experience with transphobic bullying at school, and how they dealt with it:

“The school used the opportunity to provide transgender awareness and anti-bullying discussions for the kids. We also talked to the parents to help them understand what happened.”

Speaking about the way in which she accepts her son Berman said:

“He just wants the same things that every other kid wants. And I, as a mother, just really want him to be treated equally.”

Speaking on the importance of acceptance, Ineke Mushovic executive director of the Movement Advancement, outlined the goal of the campaign:

“Too many families and the lives of too many transgender children have been devastated by parents who reject these children or try to force them to be someone they’re not.

“The Advancing Acceptance campaign provides data and resources to help families gain understanding, and learn how they can support their transgender or gender diverse child in ways that help them survive and thrive. “

Emily Hecht McGowan, who works as the director of LGBT+ equality at the foundation spoke about the need for understanding and tolerance in terms of parenting and transgender children:

“Some people don’t understand that some of what they are doing and saying are actually harmful to young people.”

Hecht McGowan continued:

“We want to educate people about how important it is and what good it does for LGBTQ young people when they are accepted.”