# data[].attributes.body
Cultural Exploration of Gender Fluidity

Audience
This text set is intended for 6th grade.

Anchor Text
The anchor text for this curriculum text set is George. This sincere and sweet book by Alex Gino provides insight into the feelings and thoughts of a transgender child who is grappling with gender identity. George is listed at ATOS of 5.0 and Lexile of 790L.

The text would be a whole class read aloud. This text lends itself perfect for this cultural exploration: the story is engaging and students can identify with what the main character is going through on a variety of levels, not only through the lens of gender identify. Any student who has ever felt different could relate to George.

Essential Questions
How are our identities formed and shaped?

How can we encourage each other to “be who we are” and

accept others for who they are?

Standards
AASL

Learners exhibit empathy with and tolerance for diverse ideas by:

1. Engaging in informed conversation and active debate.

2. Contributing to discussions in which multiple viewpoints on a topic are expressed.

Learners actively participate with others in learning situations by:

1. Actively contributing to group discussions.

2. Recognizing learning as a social responsibility.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6

Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.9

Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Goodreads

Gino, A. (2015). George. Scholastic.

# data[].attributes.headline
More teens see gender in non-binary terms

# data[].attributes.subject
More teens see gender in non-binary terms

# data[].attributes.body
This short article explains about a research study published earlier this year on gender identity and trends in transgender or high school students who consider themselves gender non-conforming.

This article would be read independently by students. Students would have discussion questions to process the text and then discuss in a small group.

Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text

Associated Press. (2018, February 14). More teens see gender in non-binary
terms, according to new study. Newsela.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
More teens see gender in non-binary terms, according to new study

# data[].attributes.headline
TEDEx Talks "Gender is not a straight line"

# data[].attributes.subject
TEDEx Talks "Gender is not a straight line"

# data[].attributes.body
This TED Talk by Charlie Hobman is the story of how Charlie who was born female, identifies as male. Charlie explains gender identity in simple straightforward manner. He defines and distinguishes the concepts of sex, gender identity and gender expression in how they come together to make up identity.

Standards
AASL

Learners exhibit empathy with and tolerance for diverse ideas by:

1. Engaging in informed conversation and active debate.

2. Contributing to discussions in which multiple viewpoints on a topic are expressed.

TEDxYouth@Frankston. (2015, May). Gender is not a straight line [Video file].
Retrieved from https://youtu.be/NI0yARyFoIM

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gender is not a straight line. | Charlie Hobman |  TEDxYouth@Frankston

# data[].attributes.body
Imogen Walsh gives a brief but powerful speech clearly explaining the gender spectrum and how gender is constantly evolving.

This TED Talk would be part of short whole class discussion on the Essential Question:
How can we encourage each other to “be who we are” and

accept others for who they are?

Standards
AASL Standard:
Learners actively participate with others in learning situations by:

2. Recognizing learning as a social responsibility.

Learners exhibit empathy with and tolerance for diverse ideas by:

1. Engaging in informed conversation and active debate.

2. Contributing to discussions in which multiple viewpoints on a topic are expressed.

TEDxYouth@Manchester. (2017, January 18). Is gender fluid? [Video file].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LfW33C51WQ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Is Gender Fluid? | Imogen Walsh | TEDxYouth@Manchester

# data[].attributes.body
This picture book aimed for younger students is a great introduction to transgender and Jazz's story. It tells the story of Jazz, who was born male, but identified even at age 2 as a female.

This would be used as a read aloud and whole class discussion.

Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.9

Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Herthel, J., & Jennings, J. (2014). I am Jazz. Dial Books.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
16 year old Jazz Jennings, is an honorary co-founder of the Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation, an author, a tv personality, Youtube Vlogger, a youth ambassador for the Human Rights Campaign and a passionate transgender advocate. Jazz speaks at universities, medical schools, conferences, conventions and symposiums all over the country.

When she was six, Jazz appeared on 20/20 with Barbara Walters, as one of the youngest transgender children to appear in the media. Since then, she's been featured on a variety of major programs and news outlets, including a 20/20 update with Barbara Walters when she was 11, Katie Couric twice, Oprah: Where are the Now?, Dr. Drew, Nightline, Dateline, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, Dr. Oz, Time Magazine, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Elle Magazine, the Rosie Show, The Meredith Vieira show, The View, an Oprah Winfrey Network documentary, "I am Jazz: A family in Transition" and many others. Jazz and her family now have their own GLAAD Award winning docs-series, "I Am Jazz," on TLC. Jazz is the voice of Zadie the first animated transgender character in, Amazon's, "Danger & Eggs". Jazz's doll to be released in the summer of 2017.

Jazz is the youngest recipient of the Colin Higgins Youth Courage Award, the youngest person ever to be recognized in The Advocate Magazine's, "Top Forty Under 40" annual list, OUT Magazine's Top 100 list, the 2014 Trans100 list, and the youngest recipient of the 2014 Equality Florida's, "Voice for Equality" Award. Jazz was honored and recognized at the 2013 GLAAD Awards, where she got to meet former President Bill Clinton. Jazz is the recipient of LogoTV's 2014 youth Trailblazer Award. She was named as one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential Teens for 2014 and 2015. She is also listed on Huffington Post's 14 Most Fearless Teens of 2014. In 2016, Jazz was recognized on Teen Vogue's 21 under 21 list. In March of 2105 Jazz and her family were the recipients of the Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project Award, and in May of 2015, Jazz received the Harvey Milk and Pride Center's Diversity Honors Youth Award. In June of 2015, Jazz was invited to the White House where she met President Obama. In October of 2015 she was honored as Miss Teen Pride USA. Jazz is also the recipient of the 2015 TREVOR Youth Courage Award. In December of 2015, she was honored alongside Caitlyn Jenner at the, "Angels of Change" fundraiser through the LA Children's Hospital. In April of 2016, Jazz was a featured inspirational speaker at WE Day which also featured Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Charlize Theron. The event was attended by over 16,000 students from Los Angeles area schools who earned their ticket by volunteering and service. Jazz is the recipient of Equality California's 2017 Equality Visibility Award and HRC's Youth Upstander Award for 2017.

In 2015, Jazz became one of the faces of Johnson & Johnson's Clean and Clear Campaign: "See the Real" Me. Jazz served as the 2016 Grand Marshal in the New York City Heritage of Pride March. She is the youngest person to serve as Grand Marshal in the history of the march.

In 2014, Jazz co-wrote a children's picture book with Jessica Herthel titled "I Am Jazz", and is the author of her 2016 her memoir, "Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen".

Jazz is no stranger to discrimination. For 5 years she wasn't allowed to use the girls restroom in her school. For 2 1/2 years Jazz was banned from girls' soccer in her state. After a long battle, the United States Soccer Federation ordered her home state to lift the ban. As a result of the discrimination that Jazz was forced to endure, the USSF created a policy to include all transgender athletes who want to play soccer in the United States of America.

Jazz and her family continue to participate in many media projects with a goal to educate, and spread the message of tolerance and acceptance for all Transkids.

Currently, Jazz lives with her family of 6 in South Florida where she attends high school, and is the President of her GSA. Jazz loves to play soccer, binge watch TV on her laptop, hang with friends and is often found cuddling with her 4 cats.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon.com: I Am Jazz: 9780803741072: Herthel, Jessica, Jennings, Jazz, McNicholas, Shelagh: Books

# data[].attributes.headline
"Books that challenge gender roles debut at world's biggest book fair"

# data[].attributes.subject
"Books that challenge gender roles debut at world's biggest book fair"

# data[].attributes.body
This news article provides an expository text on the topic of gender fluidity and presents some opposing viewpoints.
This would be independently read and annotated.

Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.9

Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Agence France-Presse. (2017, October 17). Books that challenge gender roles
debut at world's biggest book fair. Newsela.

# data[].attributes.body
and
Interview with Jen Wang

The Prince and the Dressmaker is a beautiful and adorable graphic novel that tells the story of Prince Sebastian and his new BFF and dressmaker, Frances. As Sebastian's parents are searching for a wife for their son, the prince holds a secret: that he feels more comfortable in dresses.
This interview with the author Jen Wang talks about her inspirartion and research for this graphic novel about acceptance and being true to yourself.

This book talk and interview is intended to generate interest in the graphic novel. It could be used as a small group book club for those students who opt to read it.

Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.9

Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

AASL Standard:
Learners actively participate with others in learning situations by:

1. Actively contributing to group discussions.

Orsini, L. "The prince and the dressmaker is a genderqueer fairy tale for all." (2018, February 12).
Retrieved from Forbes website: https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenorsini/2018/02/12/the-prince-and-the-dressmaker-is-a-genderqueer-fairy-tale-for-all-ages/#55695cf65625

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Prince Sebastian is supposed to be looking for a princess to marry. Instead, the 16-year-old is moonlighting as the fashion icon Lady Crystallia, and he can't tell his secret to anybody except his dressmaker, a talented girl named Frances.

So begins The Prince and the Dressmaker, a graphic novel for anybody who feels like they don't fit the mold. A love story outside of the gender binary, the book goes on sale Tuesday and is available for pre-order now.

In advance of the release, I spoke to Jen Wang, the author of this feel-good modern fairy tale. Wang, a Los Angeles-based cartoonist who previously co-authored In Real Life with Cory Doctorow, shared a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this uniquely gender-positive graphic novel. Be advised, there are some slight spoilers in the interview.

Lauren Orsini: Initially, you said the characters in the book were going to be older. How did aging them down affect the book? How did it affect the book's audience?

Jen Wang: With the characters as teenagers everything is heightened. You're discovering who you are, clashing with your parents and falling in love. It's also more hopeful I think because you're working with characters who have their whole lives ahead of them and they're just learning how they can impact the world by being true to themselves. It's that sense of hope and positivity and I hope younger readers to take away with them.

Orsini: What inspired the story? Did anything in your own life make you start thinking about it?

Wang: I'd been wanting for a while to do a story about a character whose superpower is making clothes that transform the wearer. Simultaneously I'd been wanting to work on something fun like a Disney fairytale musical with a contemporary twist. Gender expression is something I've always thought about growing up and when I happened to be watching RuPaul's Drag Race one day everything clicked into place. It was like a domino effect, the whole story fell into place pretty quickly.

Orsini: How much research went into the gorgeous fashion depicted in the book?

Wang: I spent a lot of time on Pinterest which is a pretty good resource for historical costumes. But I also tried not to be too strict about accuracy because I wanted the book to feel fairytale-like and contemporary. Frances makes clothes that feel fresh and new and I wanted them to defy the silhouettes and conventions of the time. I did a lot of research for context but kept the final product flexible.

Orsini: What was the hardest scene to write, and why?

Wang: I rewrote the ending with Sebastian's father several times. I wanted the ending to be hopeful but still make sense to the characters. I didn't have three books worth of time to develop the King's feelings toward his kid so I had to think very carefully about how to present it in a way that felt in-character but also positive. I still wish I had three books worth of time to flesh it out but I hope the end result is something that resonates with readers, especially parents.

Orsini: By the end of the story, Prince Sebastian seems to still be splitting his time between dresses and menswear. What does this say about his gender identity?

Wang: To me, Sebastian is someone who identifies with different modes of gender expression and is comfortable alternating between both masculine and feminine. Genderqueer is probably the best descriptor. But I'm also open to readers' interpretations of how they see the character. If a reader feels that this story is just the first step to Sebastian discovering they're trans, or if they feel Sebastian is a cis male that likes to dress up I'm happy with all of that!

Orsini: What are you working on next?

Wang: I'm working on a new book that hasn't been announced yet. It's a middle-grade book not related to The Princes and the Dressmaker. I'm optimistic people will like it!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
'The Prince And The Dressmaker' Is A Genderqueer Fairy Tale For All Ages

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Prince Sebastian is supposed to be looking for a princess to marry. Instead, the 16-year-old is moonlighting as the fashion icon Lady Crystallia, and he can't tell his secret to anybody except his dressmaker, a talented girl named Frances. So begins The Prince and the Dressmaker, a graphic novel for anybody who feels like they don't fit the mold.

# data[].attributes.body
This interview with Jazz Jennings piggy-backs on the picture book to give an update on Jazz and put a real face to the story.

This interview would be shown to the whole class followed by a brief discussion.

Standards

AASL

Learners exhibit empathy with and tolerance for diverse ideas by:

1. Engaging in informed conversation and active debate.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text

Muldowney, K., Torres, I., & Valiente, A. (2018, October 15). Trans teen on
sharing the final steps of her transition: gender confirmation surgery
[Video file]. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Health/
transgender-teen-jazz-star-jazz-jennings-sharing-final/story?id=58513271

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's a dream she's had since she was 2 years old.

"When I was 2 years old, I went up to my mom and asked her, 'When is the good fairy going to come with her magic wand and change my penis into a vagina?'" Jazz Jennings, 18, told ABC News' "Nightline" co-anchor Juju Chang.

For Jazz, that dream became a reality. This past June, she underwent her gender confirmation surgery -- a procedure that, in her case, essentially re-fashioned male genitalia into a female equivalent.

"It was like a dream. It was. This is a moment that I had always envisioned and just experiencing it was so surreal. I was like I can't believe this is happening," Jazz said.

Jazz, who is from Florida, is one of the most well-known transgender teens in the country, carrying the torch on behalf of trans rights for the last decade.

Known for her relentless advocacy -- from gender neutral bathrooms, to playing school sports -- she's tackled some of the most divisive issues for trans kids head on.

"From the time I was six years old, I've been sharing my story. And you know at first I thought, 'Okay, this is all going to come to an end one day and then I'll be able to live my life.' But more and more I realized that I was given this platform for a reason and that I have a strong and powerful voice," Jazz said.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

When asked about whether living her life in the public has made it easier or harder to be a trans teen, Jazz said, "It just depends."

"I think for me, I've always been so honest about who I am as a person. And being transgender, I feel like it's something that I couldn't hide no matter what. Don't have to explain myself or the fact that I'm transgender to people who haven't met me before. So it's kind of-- I like that about being public," she said.

Her journey has been documented on her award-winning TLC reality show, "I Am Jazz," which returns for a fifth season on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.

She shared when she, along with her parents, decided to medically intervene with hormone blockers when she was 11, pausing any male development. And then, when she was on the verge of high school, she began taking the female hormone, estrogen.

"I have no regrets because it allowed me to prevent myself from going through male puberty," Jazz said. "I feel like that's why my dysphoria hasn't been so bad is because I look in the mirror, and I see the girl that I am on the inside. But not every transgender person has the opportunity to do that."

In many ways, her journey has all led up to this moment. For Jazz, her gender confirmation surgery is what she says is "the final step of transitioning."

"This is really the last thing that will validate my identity as a woman. There is nothing else after this. I just get to be myself, be in the body that I've always wanted. And then I can live my life as just Jazz," she said.

For years, Jazz's willingness to share intimate details has been her calling card, and this milestone is no different.

"I've been criticized for sharing too much information, and yeah, it is personal and uncomfortable for some individuals. But how are we going to learn if someone doesn't step up to the plate and share their story and personal details," Jazz said.

ABC News

When she first shared her story with ABC News' Barbara Walters in 2007, Jazz was just 6 years old and one of the youngest documented cases of an early transition from male to female. Jazz started her transition at the age of five.

The Jennings family, who have three older children, were already at the time facing backlash for allowing Jazz, at such a young age, to present herself as trans. Ten years later, the family said they still find themselves defending that decision.

When asked how she would respond to people who might think her parents brainwashed her or that she was too young to know, Jazz said, "I really, really hate it."

"And hate's a strong word. But I hate it when people are, like, 'My parents abuse me into being transgender because they wanted another girl, not a boy.' And no, that's not how it was. This was all me. This is how I felt. And I was the one telling them that, 'I'm a girl, I'm a girl,'" Jazz said. "They just embraced and loved me for who I was. And they didn't force me to do anything. They never force me to do anything."

In the upcoming season of "I Am Jazz," viewers will get to see major milestones in her life, including Jazz attending her first prom, celebrating her 18th birthday and the final steps of her transition.

The surgery came with obstacles. Jazz said her doctor requested that she lose 30 pounds before the surgery.

"And that was really, really challenging because I had an addiction to food. And it was something that gave me comfort. And I had to let that go because the surgery is so much more important to me than any slice of cake or pizza," Jazz said.

The surgery was also complicated by Jazz being at the forefront of so many medical options now available to transgender kids, like the hormone blockers and hormone therapy she said helped save her life.

"Being on the blockers is something that I don't regret at all. But the only, you know, downside to it was that I didn't have enough growth down below. So there wasn't enough tissue to work with when it came to the surgery," Jazz said. "And it was very challenging to find a doctor, a surgeon who was willing to perform the operation on me just 'cause I'm such a difficult case."

Jazz and her family sought out a brand new, groundbreaking technique.

"They're using the tissue I have, the peritoneum, and also, they may take a skin graft as well. I say it's going to be like a patchwork vagina, Franken-vagina," she said laughing. "So yeah, as long as it's functional, that's all that matters."

She added, "And I want it to look somewhat pretty, just 'cause it's my body."

ABC News

"Nightline" caught up with Jazz nine weeks after her surgery. Though she was on her way to a full recovery, getting there wasn't easy.

"There was just an unfortunate event and setback where things did come apart, and there was a complication," Jazz said. "I had to come back in for another procedure, but it was just all part of the journey. The good thing though is that it was only cosmetic and external so it wasn't too dramatic."

"My life wasn't in danger. I had the guidance of two incredible surgeons, and they really just supported me throughout the entire process and took control over the matter," she added.

Jazz hopes her surgery will help pave the way for the next generation of trans girls seeking to have the same surgery. With the surgery behind her and now in her senior year of high school, Jazz's future is coming into focus for her, including what she wants to do after college.

"I've been thinking about that more and more lately. And I mean there's really no pressure for me to decide anything right now. However I'm thinking about focusing on like sociology and gender studies. I am finding myself becoming more and more passionate about the gender binary of this world and just the difference between gender and sex and helping people understand that so that all, you know, gender nonconforming individuals can be more accepted in this world," she said.

Jazz said she's thought more about continuing her advocacy.

"I think it really just depends on what direction my life takes. But more and more I'm thinking about just continuing my advocacy," Jazz said. "My passion is reinvigorated not just for trans rights but for equality for everyone and I really think that this world needs some changing, because we are not in a good place as a society right now, and I think if people could open their eyes and realize that if we choose a path of love, of accepting one another and embracing our differences."

Watch the full story on ABC News' "Nightline" TONIGHT at 12:35 a.m. ET.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Trans teen on sharing the final steps of her transition: gender confirmation surgery

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's a dream she's had since she was 2 years old. "When I was 2 years old, I went up to my mom and asked her, 'When is the good fairy going to come with her magic wand and change my penis into a vagina?'" Jazz Jennings, 18, told ABC News' "Nightline" co-anchor Juju Chang.

# data[].attributes.body
This empowering song would be played when the class is about halfway completed with George, reiterating the idea of acceptance and being true to yourself, a common theme in George.

Small groups would discuss how this song connects to the theme of George.

Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.9

Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Gaga, L., & Laursen, J. (2011, February 11). Born this way. Retrieved November
12, 2018, from Genius.com website: https://genius.com/
Lady-gaga-born-this-way-lyrics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Born This Way Lyrics: It doesn't matter if you love him / Or capital "H-I-M" (M, M, M, M) / Just put your paws up / 'Cause you were born this way, baby / My mama told me when I was young / "We are all