Janna Barkin

Janna Barkin is an author, educator, and parent of a transgender person. Janna combines her many years of experience as a preschool educator/director and her expertise as a workshop presenter, speaker, group facilitator, and parent coach to bring educational and inspirational learning opportunities to educators, administrators, parents, caregivers, and community members.

Since 2015, Janna has led a support group for parents and caregivers and another for grandparents of transgender and gender expansive and questioning youth. She has been a featured speaker and workshop facilitator at California Council of Cooperative Preschools Conferences, Gender Spectrum Conferences, the Philadelphia TransWellness Conference, at Fortune 500 corporations including The Gap and Microsoft, and at schools, bookstores, libraries, and other community gatherings.

Janna’s new book, A Grand Love: Stories for Grandparents of Transgender Grandchildren (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024), is sure to be a moving and helpful resource. A Grand Love is a book of personal stories and observations from the perspectives of the author, grandparents of transgender grandchildren, and transgender people themselves. Part educational, part storytelling, and chock full of inspiration, A Grand Love – Stories for Grandparents of Transgender Grandchildren offers unique perspectives about grandparent/grandchild dynamics that are relatable, heartwarming, and though provoking.

Janna’s first book, He’s Always Been My Son: A Mother’s Story About Raising Her Transgender Son (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017), is an inspiring and moving story told from the heart of an extraordinary family. This book recounts the emotional and uplifting journey of raising a transgender child. Written with warmth and humor, He’s Always Been My Son reminds us to accept others for who they are.