From an early age, kids understand both simple and complex ideas of gender identity. They learn and absorb the categories we teach them, and then eventually find their place within, or beyond, these categories. The surprising truth is that we all know who we are from a very young age, including the truest expressions of our gender identity, and we then spend most of our lives searching for the words, tools, safety, and agency to share ourselves with the world. In recent years, we have seen more transgender and gender diverse kids exploring new words and models to describe their identities. In this talk, you'll hear about this gender evolution, including how to talk to and support the young kids and teenagers in our lives, as they lead the way toward a more expansive and inclusive future.

Filmed September 20th, 2020 at Mia in Minneapolis. Dr. Angela Kade Goepferd (she/they) is the Chief Education Officer for Children's Minnesota, the Medical Director for the Gender Health Program, and also sees patients in the Children's Minneapolis Primary Care Clinic. Throughout their career, Dr. Goepferd has worked with and advocated for transgender and gender non-conforming youth and provide health professional training for pediatricians and clinic staff, social workers, school nurses and others to improve their skills and comfort working with LGBTQ patients and families. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx