Mediation Can Assist LGBTQ+ Families Navigate Effective Parenting Plans
In honor of Pride Month, the Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC located in Brooklyn, New York, celebrates gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer families in their efforts toward creating effective parenting plans. Mediation is often the most effective method to communicate a parent or child’s individual needs and interests in a respectful and productive manner.
Transitioning as a transgender child, adolescent or parent can be a complex journey involving many personal, social, legal and medical considerations. Having an experienced mediator can potentially help families navigate this path in a constructive way.
A neutral third-party mediator can provide a safe space for open and honest dialogue between transgender youth, their parents/guardians, and other involved parties like teachers, doctors or therapists. The mediator does not take sides, but facilitates communication so each person’s perspectives and needs are voiced and understood.
Parental and family acceptance and affirmation is crucial for the wellbeing of transgender youth and transgender parents. However, families may initially struggle with the transition due to their own fears, beliefs or lack of understanding. A mediator can validate feelings while providing education to separate fact from myth. They can reality-test different scenarios to find common ground.
Legal and medical issues often require agreement between parents and transgender adolescents before certain steps like puberty blockers or gender confirmation treatment can proceed. A mediator can help all parties work through potential areas of conflict surrounding these decisions.
Schools may need mediators involved if issues arise around affirming the student’s identity through name/pronoun usage, gendered spaces like bathrooms/locker rooms, updating records, training staff, preventing bullying/harassment and more.
Overall, having an experienced LGBTQ+-affirming mediator in the loop can provide invaluable guidance and neutral facilitation for these complex family journeys. The ultimate goal is ensuring the best possible outcome and support for transgender youth and transgender parents to live as their authentic selves.
The Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC recently became a founding member of the The American LBGTQ+ Museum in NYC. For more information check out their website. The museum seeks to incorporate community collaboration, intergenerational dialogue, honor Queer trailblazers.
If you would like to learn more about mediation and the Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC, please contact www.hbernsteinlawandmediation for more information. Helene Bernstein is the Current President of the Family Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York.
This blog constitutes legal advertising and was assisted by AI. Prior success using mediation does not guarantee future successful results.