Gender Inclusive Sexuality Talks for Parents and Teens
Official title: Parents ASSIST for All LGBTQ Youth (Hillman)
Run by University of Pennsylvania · NCT07825571 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests the GIST program to help parents talk with transgender, gender-diverse, lesbian, or bisexual female youth about sexuality at home.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07825571 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are English-speaking parent–youth dyads in the United States, where the youth identifies as transgender, gender diverse, lesbian, or bisexual female and is between 12 and 18 years old.
✕Probably not a fit
Youth or parents without interest or access to online interventions or those not meeting eligibility may not experience benefits.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will enroll 300 parent–youth dyads to evaluate a 5-session online program that trains parents to discuss sexuality in an inclusive way as transgender or sexual minority identities emerge. The study will compare the GIST program to a control condition, focusing on improving the quality and frequency of parent–youth communication about sexuality and related health topics. Outcomes include changes in mental health symptoms for both parents and youth and changes in dyadic health behaviors. Participants include youths aged 12–18 who identify as transgender, gender diverse, lesbian, or bisexual female, and their English-speaking parents in the United States. The study is led by the University of Pennsylvania with location at Penn Nursing in Philadelphia, and aims to provide scalable guidance for families navigating gender and sexuality discussions at home.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families may experience better communication about sexuality and improved mental health and health behaviors for both parents and youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that parent–child sexuality communication interventions can improve dialogue quality and some health outcomes, but this specific GIST program is novel in its online, multi-session format for this population.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Youth participants are: identify as transgender or gender diverse, or lebian or bisexual female be between ages 12-18 years able to comprehend spoken English resides in the United States consents or assents to study participation Parent participants are: the parent, legal guardians, legal custodians (hereinafter "parent") of index youth age 18 or older able to comprehend spoken English resides in the United States consents to study participation consents to their child's study participation Exclusion Criteria: Excluded youth participants are: non-transgender or gender diverse or lesbian or bisexual female youth Excluded participants are: parents whose child does not meet eligibility criteria
Where it's running
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Penn Nursing
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dalmacio D Flores — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Dalmacio Flores, PhD, RN
- Email: dalmacio@nursing.upenn.edu
- Phone: 215-573-8253
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Helping Parents Talk About Sexuality with Gay or Bisexual Sons
This study tests Parents ASSIST, a five-session online program to help parents communicate about sexuality with their gay or bisexual sons.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.