In recent years, the rights of trans people have been brought to the forefront of political debate by the far right, whose rhetoric against minors is widely adopted in the name of "sacred childhood." Alternative libertaire met with Espace mineurs trans Toulouse to discuss the support provided to trans minors in this reactionary context. ---- Can you introduce your organization to our readers, what are its objectives and methods of action?
EM2T: We are an association that has existed for 3 years (previously it was a collective) that provides support to trans and non-binary minors and their loved ones (family or other adult representatives). We focus on comprehensive support with monthly drop-in sessions. We first try to address various needs: health, education, administrative and legal issues, as well as family ties. But we also want to contribute to the well-being of young people: providing them with a welcoming space where they can relax, play, and so on.
Espace Mineur·es Trans Toulouse (EM2T) is an association that supports trans, non-binary, and questioning minors, as well as their families, in Toulouse and the surrounding area.
Your drop-in sessions are open to trans, non-binary, and questioning minors, but also to their families: what does this work with families entail?
The overall support includes administrative tasks, such as changing a name, as well as addressing the school environment and supporting families in their interactions with institutions, because this is where violence is particularly prevalent. We also provide mediation and parenting support. In some cases, it's the adult who contacts us, wanting to support the child or try to better understand the situation and get help. In other cases, it's the young person who contacts us, wanting to meet peers and needing help to be better understood and supported by their family.
The association is mixed; the volunteers are trans and cisgender, which provides different perspectives for discussions with parents. Some parents participate in the association after having benefited from it, and that's a real asset.
Most mothers take the initiative, doing the work of training themselves and becoming "experts," but we're seeing more and more fathers coming. We also believe it's important to welcome everyone, for example, the siblings of the child involved, because the association is a resource.
The Fransgenre association[1]recently reported that despite offering 22 training sessions for healthcare professionals in 2025, not a single endocrinologist had attended, and 85% of those contacted refused to treat transgender people. How do the medical profession's reluctance to train on this subject impact transgender and non-binary minors?
In short, the situation is much more difficult for minors. For example, in Toulouse, outside of hospitals, no endocrinologist seems willing to take on any case.
We are facing a major obstacle: the reactionary and far-right rhetoric that resonates in the media and exerts influence. Healthcare professionals who could have been allies are now less willing to act. The proposed law banning healthcare for transgender minors gave France the impression of a glimpse into the reality of the medical profession. Even if we already saw how they behave with children, it's tenfold when they're trans.
In Paris, the law seems to be better respected thanks to 15 years of activism and allies in the hospital system[2], but it's expensive for families from other regions to travel to Paris to benefit from it.
Sign that reads "Protect trans kids."
Ted Eytan: You recently organized a study day at a university. How can we develop access to information and raise awareness among a wider audience today?
We work at the INSPÉ (National Higher Institute for Teacher Training and Education) as part of the training for future teachers; this is an important first step. Because one of the first places where young people begin their social transition and experience violence is school. Therefore, it's crucial to raise awareness among the adults who work there. To intervene directly in schools, accreditation is required, but the term "trans minors" acts as a deterrent, due to fear of reactions. However, we need to broaden our reach (youth and cultural centers, community centers, etc.), and we're not yet working with healthcare professionals. Civil registrars at town halls are also not trained, not even in the basics of providing respectful service without adult bias. People aren't necessarily consciously transphobic, but children are often not recognized simply because they are children. Therefore, the study days and conferences we give provide opportunities to inform and engage with the public. Inter-organizational collaboration is also absolutely essential: children's rights groups, feminist groups, and other organizations that support and amplify our message...
More generally, what demands do you have to improve the living conditions of trans and non-binary minors?
We must fight against adultism. We must recognize the voices of these individuals, including those who experience intersecting forms of oppression, their right to self-determination, and their right to participate in decision-making processes that affect them.
We demand easier access to healthcare covered by health insurance, including psychological support, puberty blockers, and hormone replacement therapy, according to the individual needs of young people. We also call for mandatory training for healthcare professionals.
We demand strict measures to combat discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools, public spaces, and homes. This includes awareness-raising and training for teachers, school administrators, and parents; protocols including the correct use of chosen names and pronouns; the integration of educational content on gender diversity into school curricula; and more peaceful access to leisure and sports activities. We are also simply calling for the enforcement of existing laws regarding administrative changes and the simplification of procedures for minors.
What about the specific situation in Toulouse?
Requests to change a child's first name are systematically refused by the city hall and are often not even reviewed. Then, prosecutors refuse, justifying the refusal by claiming the child is "too young," even though no law sets a minimum age for this! The family court judge also provides this reason for refusal. We are witnessing a resurgence of the pathologization of transition, particularly dysphoria. There is a refusal to listen to the child directly. This situation needs to be brought to light.
Access to healthcare in general is deteriorating in a context of austerity and medical deserts.
Interview conducted by UCL Toulouse
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[1]Information, self-support, and advocacy association for transgender people - Fransgenre.fr.
[2]This led to the creation of Trajectoires jeunes trans (TJT), an information and guidance platform for transgender or gender-questioning children, adolescents, and young adults, their families, and their healthcare providers.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Espace-pour-les-mineur-es-trans-Toulouse-EM2T-Il-y-a-un-refus-d-entendre-l
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Link: (en) France, UCL AL #368 - Antipatriarchy - Space for Trans Minors Toulouse (EM2T): "There is a refusal to listen to the child directly" (ca, de, fr, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]
Source: A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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