About Your Black Transgender Child, the Book

By Dr. Lulu (Uchenna Umeh, MD, MBA, FAAP)

Hola Family!

It gives me great joy to present this book to you! This book has been dubbed "the book I was born to write" by my very supportive, nearly 90-year-old father. During this month of my birthday, I want to present my new book and my new offer to you. I have been thinking a lot about my new direction, which is to help physicians and other healthcare professionals with creating and building affirming patient-centered practices focused on Black LGBTQIA patients.

As a queer pediatrician and the mother of a Black transgender daughter, I have walked the path of both healer and parent, navigating the complex and often hostile landscape of raising a Black trans child in America. My latest book, About Your Black Transgender Child: Answers to MOST of Your Burning Questions, is more than a guide, it is a love letter, a roadmap, and a call to action for parents, caregivers, and allies committed to affirming and protecting Black trans youth.

This book was born from the countless questions I have received from parents who are afraid, confused, or simply seeking to understand. “What does it mean for my child to be transgender?” “Did I do something wrong?” “How do I support them while dealing with my own fears?” And the most gut-wrenching: “How do I keep my child safe in a world that doesn’t always see their humanity?”

Black trans youth face unique challenges at the intersection of race, gender, youth, and gender identity. They experience higher rates of rejection, homelessness, mental health struggles, and violence. But they also embody immense resilience, strength, and joy when they are affirmed. The goal of this book is simple: to provide parents with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support their child wholeheartedly, even when society tries to convince them otherwise.

What This Book Offers

• Clarity on Gender Identity and Transitioning Many parents of trans children, especially Black parents, are entering unfamiliar territory. This book breaks down complex concepts like gender identity, pronouns, medical and social transitioning, and what it all means for your child’s well-being.
• Cultural and Faith-Based Perspectives Many Black families struggle with affirming their LGBTQIA+ children due to cultural, religious, or generational beliefs. I address these concerns with sensitivity, offering ways to reconcile faith, tradition, and unconditional love.
• A Focus on Mental and Physical Health Black trans youth face alarming disparities in mental health and healthcare access. This book arms parents with the knowledge they need to advocate for their child in medical settings, combat bias, and ensure they receive competent and affirming care.
• Real Stories and Practical Guidance This is not just theory; it is lived experience. I weave in real stories from Black trans youth and parents who have walked this path, offering reassurance and actionable steps for families.
• Navigating the World as a Black Trans Child From school systems to social circles, Black trans youth experience discrimination in unique ways. This book offers strategies for advocating at school, handling bullying, and preparing for adulthood.

Why This Book Matters

We live in a time where Black trans lives are under attack: politically, socially, and even within their own families. But love is radical. Love is resistance. And affirming a Black trans child is one of the most powerful acts of love a parent can offer.

I wrote About Your Black Transgender Child because I know what it feels like to wrestle with fear and uncertainty. I know what it’s like to wonder if you are doing the right thing. But I also know the joy of seeing my daughter thrive, knowing she is deeply loved for exactly who she is.

If you are a parent struggling to understand your trans child, this book is for you. If you are an ally seeking to support Black trans youth, this book is for you. And if you are a Black trans person looking for reassurance that you are seen, valued, and worthy of love, this book is also for you.

Our children deserve to live. They deserve to thrive. And they deserve parents who will stand in the gap, learning, growing, and loving them fiercely. About Your Black Transgender Child is here to help you do just that. I have ordered 100 copies of the paperback version to autograph for you; all you need to do is respond to this article or type the word "Book" below.

Dr. Lulu (Uchenna Umeh, MD, MBA, FAAP) is a queer Nigerian-born pediatrician, author, speaker, and parent coach specializing in supporting families of LGBTQIA+ children. She is the founder of the AFFIRM Healthcare Professional Training Program, which equips healthcare professionals with the tools to provide affirming, patient-centered care to Black LGBTQIA+ patients. Learn more at https://www.dr-lulu.com/affirm (website under construction).