Top Tips for Trans Inclusion in Your School
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance 2020, what is this?
Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a day to commemorate those who have been killed by acts of anti-transgender prejudice. Today we hold them in our thoughts and remember them in the actions we take to be better allies and to create a safer and more accepting society for trans folk to thrive in.
Key stats for trans inclusion in Britain
The LGBT in Britain Trans Report key findings were:
One in eight trans employees (12 per cent) have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year
Half of trans people (51 per cent) have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination
A quarter of trans people (25 per cent) have experienced homelessness
The Stonewall School Report found:
Nearly half of LGBT pupils (45 per cent) – including 64 per cent of trans pupils – are bullied for being LGBT in Britain’s schools
More than four in five trans young people have self-harmed
More than two in five trans young people have attempted to take their own life
Image description: the trans flagWhat can we do to make our schools more inclusive for trans young people?
We chatted to Max, an educator, inclusion specialist and co-founder of Steps with Theera to gather some top tips for schools regarding trans inclusionWhat are the problems with gendered uniforms?
Some of the problems of gendered uniforms are that uniforms generally separate people into groups. That can then go on to create gender stereotypes. In schools, when gender uniforms are enforced, someone is deciding that one group should dress one way and another in another way. They want to make differentiation but for what purpose? As a trans man my school years were hugely challenging and being told to wear a certain uniform based on my gender at birth just added to that stress. The primary school I went to was selected based on the girls not having to wear skirts as the other local school required that. Whilst at high school, girls could wear trousers but a different colour and a tighter fit to the trousers assigned for boys. The fact that there wasn’t an option to wear the same trousers as the boys meant I spent years making excuses to teachers asking why I was wearing the wrong coloured trousers and they often did this in front of my peers. Do we need to impose a gendered uniform, or can we just have choices? So people can wear what feels right for them.
Can you give us some top tips for trans inclusion in schools:
Staff training
It’s important that teachers and other members of staff are trained and empowered to know how to support the LGBTQ+ community, because if they are trained then it’s likely that they can ensure positive representation of all minority groups not just trans in their teaching and resources outside of PSHE lessons - which is where we typically see it.
Positive representation
As we know, the fear of the unknown is such a huge contributing factor to peoples unconscious bias that the more we see difference, the more we accept it. For a trans person to see someone they identify with in a school resource it can help bridge conversations that they might not know how to have with their peers and families. It can make them feel not alone, the same as when the media positively represents.
School policies and procedures
Another big factor, I think, is does the school recruitment policy reflect the values to your teaching? Whilst we cannot always see LGBT in someone’s appearance it’s incredibly important that their views and opinions are part of the school. Having anti bullying policies for all issues is really important and that they are actually implemented. Having a trans inclusion policy which outlines how the school will manage access to things like PE/games, changing facilities and toilets.
Radical acceptance
Not making assumptions and accepting someone for who they are is very important. And not to question how they are dressing or how they are presenting themselves because they may not be ready to label it or go into more depth at that time.
Language matters
The statistics still tell us that trans people are much more likely to be bullied and often take their own lives. I think the same principles apply here to any other young people that you meet. Your words matter, so speak kindly and ultimately be open to difference.
Areas of support that might be needed:
Signposting to services for trans young people
Is there information about local online support groups that is accessible to your learners without them having to stand out? Such as, do they have to go to a special place to get it? Is there a general area in the school with information for all young people including clubs, extra curricular activities and initiatives they can be involved in?
Trans awareness week podcast
Our newest podcast (click the button below to check it out) which you can find on various popular podcast platforms, is all about Trans Awareness Week. We answer the questions from our own resource ‘Let’s Talk Gender Identity’ and you will hear from Max about experiences growing up trans in Britain’s school system. It is full of top tips and insightful information.
Let’s talk gender identity, a resource you can use in schools to promote positive conversations about difference
Grab this free poster for use in your school and classroom. One of a whole series of equality, diversity and inclusion posters designed to prompt discussion about difference with all young people - no matter how they identify.
New resource for trans awareness week in schools
As a gift from us to you, we have developed this trans inclusion resource for upper KS3, 4 and 5 for use in form time/PSHE/citizenship sessions. Our co-founder Carly is using this in her school over Trans Awareness Week, when will you use it?
Organisations and resources to check out
There are a whole host of fantastic organisations out there doing life saving work. We are proud to amplify the work of other groups - go check them out.
Great video resource
Trans youth bust myths
We have linked to this video in our free resource above, made by the folks over at Mygenderation.