The HRC Foundation's Parents for Transgender Equality Council (PTEC) is a group of 24 inspiring parents of transgender youth from across the country. The council serves as a coalition of the nation's leading parent-advocates working for equality and fairness for transgender people, with the intention of connecting, mobilizing and amplifying many of the most powerful voices of love, inclusion and support for transgender equality.
HRC recently sat down with Amber and Adam Briggle, members of the council from Texas. Amber Briggle is an entrepreneur, political junkie, committed volunteer and the proud mother of two amazing children, Max and Lulu. She has spoken publicly and passionately about the rights of the LGBTQ community, including giving a TEDx talk about her journey to accepting Max as transgender and the challenges and triumphs they now face as a family. Amber has spoken at fundraisers and press conferences, and currently serves on the board of the League of Women Voters of Texas. She volunteers in numerous ways in her adopted hometown of Denton, Texas.
Amber's husband Adam is also an advocate for transgender equality. He is a professor of philosophy at the University of North Texas and has been published in The Guardian, Slate, The New York Times, the Dallas Morning News and Salon, and is the author of several books on philosophy and technology.
1) What inspired you to join HRC's Parents for Transgender Equality Council?
Our hope is that by publicly demonstrating to others what unconditional love can really look like for your transgender child, we might be able to give other trans-inclusive families more hope and optimism for their child's future, that we might be able to show other gender nonconforming children that they are worthy of love and encouragement, and that people across the country will open their hearts and minds to being more supportive of trans people.
2) What's been one highlight of your experience as a council member?
Hearing from other parents across the country (during our monthly check-ins and at Time to THRIVE) about their children's accomplishments, and the advocacy work that they're doing within their own communities is incredibly inspiring. We are very much a team!
3) What part of HRC's work do you connect with the most?
We love the resources that HRC has put together for transgender people and allies alike. Being members of PTEC we feel like we are furthering this mission of education and advocacy, because we are living proof that transgender kids exist, and that loving them as much as our cisgender kids brings them mental stability, self-confidence, a sense of safety, and a chance to live life to their highest potential.
4) What's one message you have for other parents of transgender children?
Love your kids. It's just as simple as that. Nothing about your child has changed except the name they've chosen and the pronouns that they prefer. Your child is begging you for love, and it's your job as their parent to protect them from bullies and stand up for their rights. Let us know how we can help, because you and your child are worth it.
To learn more about HRC Foundation's work with transgender youth and their families, visit our Children, Youth and Families program and our Parents for Transgender Equality page.