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The First Non-Binary Deity: Asu-Shu-Namir

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What Are Pronouns? Why Do They Matter? — Pronouns.org Resources on Personal Pronouns

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What Are Pronouns? Why Do They Matter? — Pronouns.org Resources on Personal Pronouns

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Pronouns.org Resources on Personal Pronouns

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In English, whether we realize it or not, people frequently refer to us using pronouns when speaking about us. Often, when speaking of a singular human in the third person, these pronouns have a gender implied -- such as "he" to refer to a man/boy or "she" to refer to a woman/girl. These associations are not always accurate or helpful.

Often, people make assumptions about the gender of another person based on the person's appearance or name. These assumptions aren't always correct, and the act of making an assumption (even if correct) sends a potentially harmful message -- that people have to look a certain way to demonstrate the gender that they are or are not.

Using someone's correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person's name can be a way to respect them. Just as it can be offensive or even harassing to make up a nickname for someone and call them that nickname against their will, it can be offensive or harassing to guess at someone's pronouns and refer to them using those pronouns if that is not how that person wants to be known. Or, worse, actively choosing to ignore the pronouns someone has stated that they go by could imply the oppressive notion that intersex, transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people do not or should not exist.

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What Are Pronouns? Why Do They Matter? - Pronouns.org Resources on Personal Pronouns

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"Hi! My name is ____ and my pronouns are ____." Pronouns.org offers ample practical resources and information to help you understand personal pronouns, how to share/ask/use pronouns, correct mistakes, and more!

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Terminology adapts and changes as societies change and develop understanding, so this is a useful list to refer to for up-to-date terms.

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LGBTQAI+ explain what being trans is all about

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LGBTQAI+ explain what being trans is all about

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Organisations in London for Young LGBTQIA+ People

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Organisations in London for Young LGBTQIA+ People

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ORGANISATIONS IN LONDON FOR YOUNG LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE

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The experiences of lesbian, gay, bi and trans pupils in Britain’s schools.

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Stonewall School Report 2017 shows anti-LGBT bullying and language has decreased across Britain's schools since 2012

But almost half of all LGBT pupils still face bullying at school for being LGBT, and more than two in five trans young people have tried to take their own life

This new research must act as a wake-up call for schools, government and politicians

School Report 2017 is Stonewall's new research with the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge into the experiences of over 3,700 lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) pupils in Britain's schools.

The study shows that while progress has been made over the last decade, many LGBT young people continue to face significant challenges in Britain's schools.

Download the report

Key findings

Nearly half of LGBT pupils (45 per cent) - including 64 per cent of trans pupils - are bullied for being LGBT in Britain's schools.This is down from 55 per cent of lesbian, gay and bi pupils who experienced bullying because of their sexual orientation in 2012 and 65 per cent in 2007

Half of LGBT pupils hear homophobic slurs 'frequently' or 'often' at school, down from seven in 10 in 2012

Seven in 10 LGBT pupils report that their school says that homophobic and biphobic bullying is wrong, up from half in 2012 and a quarter in 2007. However, just two in five LGBT pupils report that their schools say that transphobic bullying is wrong

Just one in five LGBT pupils have been taught about safe sex in relation to same-sex relationships

More than four in five trans young people have self-harmed, as have three in five lesbian, gay and bi young people who aren't trans

More than two in five trans young people have attempted to take their own life, and one in five lesbian, gay and bi students who aren't trans have done the same

What pupils said

I felt like whatever I was doing was worthless. Even if I did well in school, it wouldn't matter to people because all they would care about is me being gay.

Zoe, 12, secondary school pupil, England

No one I've spoken to at school has ever knowingly met a trans person before or been taught anything about trans people and what we might need.

Reece, 18, now in employment, Yorkshire and the Humber

Once in sex education, I asked about safe sex in same-sex relationships and I was told that it was 'inappropriate' and 'that is not suitable for classroom discussion'. I was told to leave the room.

Dorian, 13, secondary school pupil, West Midlands

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Stonewall School Report 2017 shows anti-LGBT bullying and language has decreased across Britain's schools since 2012 But almost half of all LGBT pupils still face bullying at school for being LGBT, and more than two in five trans young people have tried to take...

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What is the difference between sex and gender? - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

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This article sets out the interpretation of the terms "sex" and "gender", which the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and UK government bodies will be using to assess how the UK is progressing towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The goals cover a range of areas, including health, the environment, the economy and inequalities. Sex and gender are relevant across the SDGs as a whole, but are particularly important for Goal 5: Gender equality.

As the UK's national statistics institute, ONS is responsible for monitoring the UK's progress towards the global SDG indicators. Part of this role includes putting the data into context. For more information about SDGs, please see our online reporting platform.

Sex and gender are terms that are often used interchangeably but they are in fact two different concepts, even though for many people their sex and gender are the same. This article will clarify the differences between sex and gender and why these differences are important to understand, especially in research and data collection. How and why sex and gender is important for SDGs and the principle of "leave no one behind" will be considered. It includes the UK government position on these concepts. ONS has done a lot of research and participated in discussions to understand these terms.
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2. Definitions and differences

The UK government defines sex as:

referring to the biological aspects of an individual as determined by their anatomy, which is produced by their chromosomes, hormones and their interactions

generally male or female

something that is assigned at birth

The UK government defines gender as:

a social construction relating to behaviours and attributes based on labels of masculinity and femininity; gender identity is a personal, internal perception of oneself and so the gender category someone identifies with may not match the sex they were assigned at birth

where an individual may see themselves as a man, a woman, as having no gender, or as having a non-binary gender - where people identify as somewhere on a spectrum between man and woman

The World Health Organisation regional office for Europe describes sex as characteristics that are biologically defined, whereas gender is based on socially constructed features. They recognise that there are variations in how people experience gender based upon self-perception and expression, and how they behave.

Essentially, nearly all people are born with physical characteristics that are labelled male or female. In 1964, Robert Stoller ¹ coined the term gender identity, which refers to an individual's personal concept about their gender and how they feel inside. It is a deeply held internal sense of self and is typically self-identified. Gender identity differs from sexual identity and is not related to an individual's sexual orientation (for more information, see the Terminology page of the Gender Identity Research and Education Society). As such, the gender category with which a person identifies may not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

Gender is increasingly understood as not binary but on a spectrum. Growing numbers of people are identifying as somewhere along a continuum between man and woman, or as non-gendered (neither man nor woman) (see Gender Spectrum). Therefore, they often have their own words to describe themselves rather than using pre-defined categories of male and female (for more information, see Gender Identity Workshop, Summary of Discussions). While more people are identifying as non-binary, this is not a new concept and has existed for many years across different cultures around the world.

Notes for: Definitions and differences

Stoller, R. J. (1964). A contribution to the study of gender identity. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, volume 45 issues 2 to 3, pages 220 to 226.
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3. Variations in sex characteristics

Sex and gender are both generally referred to in two distinct categories: male and female or man and woman. However, there are naturally occurring instances of variations in sex characteristics (sometimes known as intersex). This is where people are born with hormones, chromosomes, anatomy or other characteristics that are neither exclusively male nor female. They are usually assigned a sex (male or female) by their family or doctor at birth as birth certificates require the sex of the child - either male or female. Individuals with variations in sex characteristics might identify as male, female, or intersex, and they may consider themselves to be a man, a woman, or to have a non-binary identity.
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Transgender or trans is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned at birth. The Equality Act 2010 contains the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, which is defined as follows:

"A person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if the person is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning the person's sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex."

This definition covers a wide range of people at varying stages of transition. A person does not need to have legally changed their gender to be included within the definition of the protected characteristic, nor do they need to have had any kind of surgery. The protection extends to anyone who has been treated less favourably because of gender reassignment, regardless of whether they have that characteristic or not.

Many trans people go through a process called transitioning: changing how people see them and the way they look to align with their gender identity. It can involve changing characteristics, appearance, names and pronouns, and may include medical treatment, such as hormone therapy or surgery. Some people may not go on to have surgical procedures, but just have the "lived experience" in the gender they identify as. Definitions and terms are very personal; people who have transitioned do not necessarily identify their gender as trans. They may see their gender identity as a man or woman, or have different preferences and words to describe themselves (for more information, see Trans Data Position Paper).

Transitioning can also involve legally changing gender under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which allows trans people to obtain a new birth certificate showing their new name and sex. It is important to note that the law in the UK treats the terms sex and gender as interchangeable. This is shown by the Gender Recognition Act allowing someone who is changing their gender to change the sex marker on their birth certificate.

The term trans is often grouped with sexual identity and orientation (for example, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)), however, it is independent of who you are attracted to and should be considered as separate.
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5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): gender and sex

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal set of goals, underpinned by targets and indicators. They seek to eradicate inequalities, ensuring that no one is left behind. Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the focal point of UK data for the global SDG indicators.

The data used to report on the indicators are often collected by other organisations (such as the NHS and government departments) and may not match SDG requirements. Most data collected captures those who are male or female only, and in some cases is labelled sex and some cases gender. There are very few organisations that collect data on gender identity. For more information, please see the Equalities data audit.

In the SDGs, the goals and targets tend to refer to gender, for example, "Goal 5: Gender equality" and "Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all". However, indicators refer to sex, for example, "Indicator 5.b.1: Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex" and "Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities". This makes it complex in understanding what data are required and what information needs to be collected.

The main principle of the SDGs is to "leave no one behind". To meet this, each of these indicators are to be broken down, where relevant, by eight characteristics required by the United Nations (UN). In paragraph 74.g of Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, they state the disaggregations are: income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migration status, disability and geographic location, and other characteristics relevant in national contexts. However, in paragraph 17.18 they state gender instead of sex (the other disaggregations are the same).

The terms sex and gender appear to be used interchangeably. The "other characteristics" outlined in the Agenda relate to human rights and international laws, and include sexual orientation and gender identity. This suggests that measuring both sex and gender is important to ensure that no one is left behind. However, the Equality and Human Rights Commission indicates there may be a concern when it comes to reporting, especially when data are disaggregated. Even where data on gender identity are collected accurately, the amount of data may be so small that disclosure control means the data cannot be provided.
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6. Data collection: benefits and complexities

Sex and gender data can be collected in various ways, as: biological sex, self-defined sex and gender identity. For many people, their sex and their gender are the same, so when asked about sex or gender they do not see a difference, and will just respond "male" or "female" as appropriate.

There are many positives in collecting gender identity data. The Equality and Human Rights Commission indicates that people welcome inclusion in surveys as it provides opportunities to express their opinions and to raise the profile of gender identity in society. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) gender identity workshop suggested that gender identity data would be useful to monitor discrimination and equality, and to inform policy. It would:

assist with allocation of funding and specialist services

provide education and awareness of gender identity

be beneficial to have official, reliable data about the size of the trans population

However, there are many different challenges in collecting and reporting gender information. Gender identity is subjective and often non-binary, therefore, data collection needs to be more detailed than simply man and woman. There are the issues of confidentiality, privacy, context, which information is appropriate to ask for and whether people would answer openly.

It is important that respondents have the opportunity to identify their own gender and that they are comfortable in doing so. It was suggested in the gender identity workshop that people may not wish to divulge some information. This was more likely if they were transitioning or not "out" about their identity for fear of discrimination or harassment, or being unsure about what their information would be used for. Those who have transitioned may see this as part of their past and not want to disclose this, or have always felt they are the gender they identify with and therefore have not made a "transition".

Under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, people who have transitioned are not required to (but can) reveal their gender history and Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 says no one is required to reveal their gender identity. This could make the collection of accurate data difficult. Additionally, in some cases gender identity is not fixed but fluid, for example, with people who identify as non-binary. This could mean that you may not be reliably measuring something for all time.
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Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not currently collect data on gender identity in any social surveys and there are no harmonised questions across the Government Statistical Service (GSS). However, data collection methodology and question designs are being explored. The Census White Paper: Help Shape Our Future recommended that there will be a question on gender identity (while keeping the existing question on sex) for those aged 16 years and over for the 2021 Census for England and Wales. There is a dedicated web page outlining the work carried out and further work planned. The devolved authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland are also considering the issue in the context of their data collection.

During the consultation for the 2021 Census for England and Wales and a gender identity workshop, it was confirmed that information about gender identity for all ages was needed to inform government policy and to allocate resources and service planning. With the 2010 Equality Act specifying gender reassignment as a protected characteristic and the government agreeing to assess how to measure the size of the UK trans population, there is increasing demand for data on gender identity (for more information, see Government Response to the Women and Equalities Committee Report on Transgender Equality). The Census White Paper: Help Shape Our Future outlines the latest position regarding gender identity questions in the 2021 Census for England and Wales.

Measurement and data on a person's sex are still useful in certain areas, for example, healthcare and fertility. There are also some sex-specific laws, though these are changing. For example, pension provision is different for males and females, with males having a higher retirement age.
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Sex and gender are different concepts that are often used interchangeably. The UK government refers to sex as being biologically defined, and gender as a social construct that is an internal sense of self, whether an individual sees themselves as a man or a woman, or another gender identity. They encompass many different identities and may be non-binary (that is, not a man or a woman).

Office for National Statistics (ONS) is researching how best to collect data on gender identity. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will look to report data disaggregated by gender identity and sex where possible as part of the principle of "leave no one behind". All SDG data can be found on our reporting platform.
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What is the difference between sex and gender? - Office for National Statistics

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Exploring the difference between sex and gender, looking at concepts that are important to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Our project, that promotes critical thinking around gender stereotypes through storytelling.

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Learn about non-binary activist and actor Ki Griffin

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Learn about non-binary activist and actor Ki Griffin

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Dealing With Bullies As The FIRST Non-Binary Person on British TV | Headstrong | Channel 4

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The language around sex, gender and sexuality changes all the time. Stay in touch with the communities you are writing for.

People hold strong and differing opinions about language around sex, gender and sexuality. This section should help you get started but the best thing is to test your content and services with the people who use them.

Only mention sex, gender or sexuality if they're relevant, for example, to signpost people and help them get the health information and access to treatment they need.

When to use "sex" and when to use "gender"

Many people think that sex and gender are the same but they mean different things. It's important to be clear about the difference.​

Sex

Sex is biological (male or female). It's based not only on the genes we inherit, but also on how our external and internal sex and reproductive organs work and respond to hormones. Sex is the label that's recorded when a baby's birth is registered.

We use "sex" or, better still, the body part associated with biological sex when we're writing about things like screening that is sex specific, for example, breast and cervical screening.

Sex assigned or registered at birth

We use the phrase "sex assigned at birth" when we're talking about trans health and gender dysphoria, as this is the language our audience uses. In other cases, we use "the sex someone was registered with at birth" because user research shows that most people understand this better as it refers to an actual event.

Intersex

We use "intersex" in some content about people with differences in sex development (DSD) because some people prefer it to DSD.

DSD involves genes, hormones and reproductive organs, including genitals. A person's physical sex development, internally, externally or both can be different to most other people's.

Most people with DSD have a clear sex that is registered at birth. Some adults with DSD prefer the term "intersex" to DSD but they may want to keep their legal sex as male or female. Other people see "intersex" as distinct from male and female.

Gender

Gender is more complex. It refers to our internal sense of who we are and how we see and describe ourselves.

Someone may see themselves as a man, a woman or neither (non-binary). Being non-binary can mean having no gender, a different gender, or being in between genders. Gender can be fixed or fluid. Some people identify with a gender opposite to the sex they were registered with.

We use the word "gender" when we're:​

discussing the social idea or identity as opposed to the biological sex, for example, if we're writing about gender dysphoria or transgender​ health and social care

writing about a survey or report based on gender, such as gender diversity​

writing about the results of a national census, where there is a question about gender identity as well as sex to identify the trans (including non-binary) population​

Gender neutral language

We make content gender neutral as far as possible. In general, we word our content to avoid masculine and feminine pronouns ("he" or "she"). Instead we use "you" where appropriate and sometimes "they" when we need a gender-neutral pronoun (unless this is confusing).​

Example

You should see the GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis so they can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe any necessary treatment.

Avoid asking users for their title, such as Mr, Miss, Mrs, or Ms.

Transgender

We use "trans" as an umbrella term to describe people whose current gender identity or way of expressing their gender differs from the sex they were registered with at birth. Some, but not all, trans people want to transition (change) socially or medically or both.

We use "trans woman" for someone who was registered male at birth and now identifies as a woman and "trans man" for someone who was registered female at birth and now identifies as a man.

We use "trans woman" or "trans man" in content about the particular health needs of trans people - for example, screening or treatments that trans people need to be aware of, like advising a trans man about cervical and breast screening.​

Otherwise, we leave out the word "trans" and just refer to men and women, if relevant.

Note: we use "sex assigned at birth" when we're writing for a trans audience. Read more about sex assigned or registered at birth.

Sexuality

We use language about sexuality when it's helpful to signpost or help people get the health information and access to treatment they need.​

For example, when we're talking about specific sexual health services or sexual health content, we use words like:​

lesbian

gay

bisexual

men who have sex with men (MSM includes men who may not identify as gay)​

Would you like to contribute to this guidance?

Please let us know how this has worked for you and, in particular, if you have research findings to share. This will help us improve it for everyone.

Before you start, you will need a GitHub account. It's an open forum where we collect feedback.

If you have any questions, you can message us on Slack. You will need a Slack account if you do not have one. Or you can contact us by email.

Updated: September 2021

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Sex, gender and sexuality - NHS digital service manual

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The language around sex, gender and sexuality changes all the time. Stay in touch with the communities you are writing for. People hold strong and differing opinions about language around sex, gender and sexuality. This section should help you get started but the best thing is to test your content and services with the people who use them.

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Tower Hamlets School Library Service  |  Trans and Non-Binary Resources

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Tower Hamlets School Library Service  |  Trans and Non-Binary Resources

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1.  Listen to people with lived experience.

2.  Don’t deny experiences just because you haven’t witnessed or participated in them.

3. Do your own research, educate yourself.

4.  Advocate for others.

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Teen and YA books with LGBTQAI+ characters

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Teen and YA books with LGBTQAI+ characters

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Representation is so important, both for teens who are themselves LGBT and also for others to gain more empathy and understanding. These books for teens and young adults all feature lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender characters and relationships.

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Created by young people for young people, 'What is Gender?' combines animation and documentary interviews to explore how diverse gender can be.

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What is gender? (Inspiring Equality in Education)

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An ally is someone who advocates alongside marginalised communities to empower their voices and together spread knowledge, awareness, respect, and to challenge oppression.

If you agree in equality and fair treatment of people who identify as LGBTQ+ then you are already an ally. But there are some really simple things you can do to go from passive support to being an active and engaged LGBQ+ ally.

Familiarise yourself with the language

Use respectful terminology to everyone around you and to help you to feel more confident when discussing LGBTQ+ issues. Read a glossary of terms and teach yourself the right language to use when talking with LGBTQ+ people.

It's okay to ask questions but check the person you're asking is happy to answer them and that they're not offended or uncomfortable. It's not for LGBTQ+ people to teach you everything themselves. Take time to teach yourself the language and experiences.

Identity-based language for LGBTQ+ people can be an individual thing. Don't assume everyone is comfortable using the same language to describe their identity or experiences. If in doubt, check with individuals to make sure you're using language they're comfortable with.

Learn the history of LGBTQ+ activism

Getting to know the history of LGBTQ+ activism is a significant part of becoming an LGBTQ+ ally. It's important to understand the social context of people's experiences, how far we've come, and how far we need to go. It can help to expose us to the culture of those different from us and can help to encourage tolerance through understanding.

The gay rights movement teaches people the kindness and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the ability to stand up and achieve what they believe in.

Discover the challenges and barriers the LGBTQ+ community face today

To be a good ally, it's important to understand how LGBTQ+ people's gender identity and sexuality exist in relation to other social issues. Research the barriers different members of the LGBTQ+ community face and learn how you can focus your support to make a difference.

Understand that the LGBTQ+ experience is not the same for everyone

People have different experiences based on how other aspects of their identity (such as race, religion, gender, and disability) interact with their sexual or gender identity. Make a conscious effort to seek out different voices and perspectives, including those of people marginalised within the LGBTQ+ community.

Don't make assumptions

A meaningful way to show that you're an ally and a safe person is to not make assumptions about people's identities. This involves being mindful of your default assumptions and unconscious biases. If someone refers to their 'partner', use neutral pronouns instead of assuming their partner's gender; if someone refers to having an ex-partner of a particular gender, don't assume that this defines their whole identity; don't assume that because someone is trans, they've had certain medical interventions.

Get involved in the community and speak up

Discover campaigns and groups in your local area that you can get involved with.

Although it's not always easy, there are situations where being an ally counts. The best way to encourage allyship is to start a conversation. If you hear or see something negative or harmful, challenge this, even if you don't think there is anyone from that community present. Show that you're a safe person for LGBTQ+ to be themselves around. Use your voice alongside LGBTQ+ people to help create a safe environment for all but don't overshadow an LGBTQ+ person's right to speak up for themselves.

Being an ally means working alongside LGBTQ+ people to achieve equality.

It is about amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community.

Four simple ways to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community

Correct people if they misgender someone, even if that person isn't in the room

Speak up when a person uses slurs, assumptions, stereotypes, or harmful language

Promote diversity and celebrate different identities

Update your email signature to include pronouns

Show your support by wearing a Pride lanyard or pin (you can collect these from Student Support)

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Information on how to be an ally to people who identify as LGBTQ+.

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International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association:  Sexual Orientation Laws

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International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association:  Sexual Orientation Laws

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Maps | sexual orientation laws Every year, along with the State-Sponsored Homophobia report, ILGA World publishes also maps of sexual orientation laws in the world. A useful tool for human rights defenders, these images expose the arbitrariness of persecutory laws, and starkly indicate the absence o…

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Today on the site, I'm welcoming Chrissy Holm, author of the new memoir Finding Sunlight, to discuss find herself and her bisexuality after being raised in purity culture. Here's a little more on the book:

In the inspirational coming-of-age memoir Finding Sunlight (Wise Ink, September 2023), Chrissy Holm separates the pressures of purity culture from all the possibilities of meaningful love. Homeschooled at church and raised by a devout father, Chrissy suppressed her bisexuality and followed all the teachings of purity culture. But when she turned sixteen, her parent's divorce flipped the script. Devastated and unsure of her values, Chrissy embarked on a long journey, often making mistakes, until she figured out just exactly who she is and what she believes in. Raw and hopeful, this liberating memoir is an intimate look at figuring out how to forgive-and love-after purity culture.
Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon
Imagine soaring in the sky on a hot air balloon ride with an ex-boyfriend, wondering if you should've married him while also being interested in pursuing someone else. You feel like you know what you're doing, yet floating up there, you feel unstable and unable to get down. For me, that state of confusion-while thousands of feet in the air-stemmed from purity culture. When I was a kid in the '90s and early '00s, I learned from my church that dating was only intended for marriage. That I needed to "remain pure" and abstain from sex before marriage. As a woman, it meant succumbing to traditional gender roles and submitting to men. And it meant that it was a sin to love anyone of the same sex.

But I knew deep down, after a game of truth or dare with one of my friends who was a girl, that this meant I also had to hide my sexuality and desires. As I continued life, I was homeschooled at my church and learned more about "God's will" and how I could abide by it. Flash forward a few years when I attended a purity conference with my mom and sisters, where speakers talked about making decisions about relationships and sexual health. They encouraged us to maintain purity, especially in a world that promotes sexual promiscuity. One speaker in particular focused on how she became a grandmother at age thirty-six and blamed it on generations of sex before marriage. Though romantic relationships were forbidden in my house until I was sixteen, I still sought out connections with boys. And with every relationship I entered, I had to imagine it was my intention to marry them, even at a young age. I also needed to satisfy them and address their needs, as mine came last. And yet, when I had moments of attraction to women sprinkled throughout my teenage years, I had to hide in shame in hopes that no one would discover my secret. If I forced myself not to think about it, I would be safe, and God wouldn't send me to Hell. When I turned fifteen, I dated someone who I eventually lost my virginity to. Instantly, I felt shame, guilt, and like I had failed as a Christian. I was going to Hell, and nothing would save me - not even Jesus, whom I had accepted into my heart when I was six. At seventeen and eighteen, I kissed two girls, and those small moments allowed me to slowly unbury that part of who I was, though it would take many more years to express it out loud. More clarity would start to arrive as I headed to college a few months after breaking up with my boyfriend and the hot air balloon ride. At school, I learned the differences between sex and gender. I learned about gender roles, societal expectations, and sexuality. During lectures about cohabitation, my throat would close, and my stomach would churn, but I realized that it was okay to live together and be in a sexual relationship without being married. It was the first time I had accepted and understood that. In my college relationships, each moment I embraced sex or intimacy before marriage, I still felt in the pit of my gut telling me it was wrong. But yet, I kept learning and continued embracing my desires. The second night I met my now-husband, we had sex. I had come a long way beyond shame and confusion, and for the first time in my adult life, I felt empowered. Over the next several years, I learned more about well-being, spirituality, and sexuality. I prioritized my health, set boundaries, sought therapy, and found ways to practice self-compassion. I spent time in nature, hiked, and connected with people who understood the harm of restrictive religion.

On one of those long hiking trips, one person inspired me to dedicate myself to writing a book, a passion of mine since I was little. Over the following five years, my memoir became a space to heal and reflect on these aspects of my life - sex, love, purity, religion, sexuality, and more. And though I stepped away from the church, I built a community and found acceptance and empowerment in who I am. I finally had the courage to share and no longer hide my queer identity. While there still may be flashes of shame and guilt that sit in my body, it's finally freeing to know that I can connect the dots and understand where that's coming from. It's liberating to know that I can feel stable, get down from that hot air balloon ride, and ground myself with greater clarity.

***

Chrissy Holm (she/they) is a writer, editor, and project manager. She is the host of the podcast Stirred By Words, where she interviews guests and discusses words, writing, and wellness. Her writing has been featured on Everyday Health, National Council on Aging, and more. She is an alumni at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, where she studied Public Health Education and Promotion. Chrissy lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and daughter.

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Queering up your shelf, one rec at a time!

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This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Attribution: Goran tek-en

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18 Hours delivers events and education with a focus on global citizenship and diversity and work with teachers to give them the skills, confidence and practical approaches to incorporate active global citizenship into schools.

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Bring the global dimension into your classroom and teach an understanding of the Global Goals, Help pupils develop into active global citizens and challenge stereotypical thinking. Promote creative and critical analysis about the world we share and the social, political and environmental forces that shape it.
Diversity and Identity | Human Rights | Interdependence | Sustainability | Social Justice | Peace and Conflict

We can easily find ways to fit in with current topics.
Teacher, Sacred Heart RC Primary School

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Bring the global dimension into your classroom and teach an understanding of the Global Goals, Help pupils develop into active global citizens and challenge stereotypical thinking. Promote creative and critical analysis about the world we share and the social, political and environmental forces that shape it.

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Global Learning London works with children, young people and their wider communities, to cultivate optimism and action for a more just and sustainable world.

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About Global Learning London

Our work stands on the shoulders of giants. We were incubated in the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service (THSLS), of which we remain an integral part. While still in the womb, we fed on stories, books, public service, curiosity and wonder. We continue to fly the flag for THSLS and all other libraries from which we, and so many other sparks, were born.

We are part of the Consortium of Development Education Centres, which brings together independent, not-for-profit organisations that support and deliver global learning in schools and communities across England.

Be Curious

Ask more questions. Challenge your own and others' assumptions. Be critical but stay kind.

Protect the Earth

It is our only home. Reuse, Recycle, Regenerate. Reduce consumption. Then reward yourself with a forest shower (that's a walk in the woods).

Take Action

Immerse yourself in your communities. Lend a hand to a cause. Be part of something good. Belong.

Dream Big

Be creative. No harm has ever come of imagining a better you and a better world. But stay grateful for all that you are and all that you have.

Connect

Entangle your beliefs and struggles with those of others. Build movements together. In a world where we are taught to compete, intentional collaboration is a radical act.

Share the Power

Whether we have a little or a lot of it, we can make small or big interventions to rebalance the power. Speak up. Give attention where it is lacking. Shine your light where it is needed.

We plant seeds for learner-led projects, then move out of the way and cheer them on as they grow. We seek to create environments where we are all learners - where power is truly shared.

What we do -
We work with children, young people and their wider communities, to cultivate optimism and action for a more just and sustainable world.

Why we do it -
We believe that a kinder, more equitable world is possible, one where people and planet thrive to their full potential and beyond.

How we do it -
We work together with teachers and schools to open up spaces for learning and enquiry into how to be better facilitators for our children's growth and where global perspectives and indigenous wisdoms are central.

We create workshops, festivals and encounters to forge connections between children, young people and their local communities. We ensure families, small local businesses, and community are part of the conversation, and that children's voices flow into them, and are amplified within them.

We plant seeds for learner-led projects, then move out of the way and cheer them on as they grow. We seek to create environments where we are all learners - where power is truly shared.

We change systems. We lobby government and local councils to reform education, from the bottom up.

We do all this with curiosity, creativity and critical thinking, and with art and culture at the heart.

We are not afraid to challenge and be challenged. Because our cause is greater than our fear.

What is Global Learning?

Global Learning, or Global Citizenship Education, aims to empower learners to engage and assume active roles locally, nationally and/or globally, to face and resolve global challenges and ultimately to become proactive contributors to a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. It builds on a diversity of world views and indigenous wisdoms to foster the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and behaviours towards a kinder, more regenerative way of life. Global Learning is a key element of Target 4.7 of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Education: to ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture's contribution to sustainable development.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up to date with all news and events.

Faaria is Head of GLL and has over 15 years of experience in training, programme management and strategy in the charity sector. She has developed and facilitated training and workshops with teachers, students and small charities on global learning, anti-racism, and global issues, including workers' rights and climate change. She is a Director for CoDEC and leads on our Anti-Racist work across England.

Triny is a Latinx management professional with over 20 years of global experience in the heritage sector, working with schools and managing learning programmes. At GLL, she manages projects, internal finances and the research, development and promotion of our CPDs. Triny leads on our community engagement work, finding ways to connect, listen and support the communities we work with.

Fatema has over 15 years' experience of branding, strategy and communications in the creative arts sector, as well as working with young people and artists across exhibitions, events and learning activities. In 2020, Fatema managed our rename and rebrand, and consulted on our communications strategy. She is responsible for several programmes at Global Learning London, oversees our communications, alongside generating new project ideas and opportunities, and developing our community engagement. She currently works with a host of organisations, including arts, mental health and education organisations, consulting them on their community programmes and strategies.

Our Partners and Supporters

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Our work stands on the shoulders of giants. We were incubated in the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service (THSLS), of which we remain an integral part. While still in the womb, we fed on stories, books, public service, curiosity and wonder.

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Consortium for Development Education Centres

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About the Network - The Global Learning Network

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CoDEC brings together independent, not-for-profit organisations that support and deliver global learning in schools and communities across England.

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About Tower Hamlets School Library Service

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About Tower Hamlets School Library Service

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About us – Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services

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“I am always extremely happy with the selection of books I receive from the Library Service. The children love them and they are always of a high quality. This is a very valued service and I am always grateful that I am able to use it. The staff at the library are always incredibly helpful and efficient. They work very hard and do an excellent job”Headteacher, Primary School in Tower Hamlets

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Allsorts of Visibility: Celebrating LGBTQAI+ People of Colour

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Allsorts of Visibility: Celebrating LGBTQAI+ People of Colour

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This  is a series of resources intended to celebrate and showcase LGBT+ people of colour.

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Allsorts of Visibility: Celebrating LGBT+ People of Colour is a series of resources intended to celebrate and showcase LGBT+ people of colour. The resources are by no means an exhaustive list of all LGBT+ people, nor can they ever be. But they are a continual work in progress, and an expanding collection. The people in these resources have been selected by Allsorts young people, volunteers, staff and supporters of the project.

We would like to thank all involved in updating, maintaining and feeding into this project, with special thanks to its creator, Marquita Smith. Thank you!

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Allsorts of Visibility: Celebrating LGBT+ People of Colour is a series of resources intended to celebrate and showcase LGBT+ people of colour. The resources are by no means an exhaustive list of all LGBT+ people, nor can they ever be. But they are a continual work in progress, and an expanding collection.

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https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/content/two-spirits_map-html/

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This text and the language in the corresponding map was updated in consultation with a world gender expert* in October, 2023. NOTE to teachers and students: Some school or corporate domains block custom Google Maps so you may need to log in under a different or personal email address to see the map.
Throughout recorded history and since time immemorial, thriving cultures have recognized, revered, and integrated more than two genders. Terms such as transgender, gay, or bisexual are Western constructs that often assume three things: that there are only two sexes (male/female), as many as three sexualities (gay/straight/bisexual), and only two genders (man/woman).

Even after the end of the modern era and as the colonial period wanes, hundreds of distinct Indigenous societies around the globe still retain their own long-established traditions for third, fourth, fifth, or more genders. The subject of Two Spirits , Fred Martinez, for example, was not a boy who wanted to be a girl, but both a boy and a girl-an identity his Navajo culture recognized and revered as Meanwhile, Hina of Kumu Hina is part of a native Hawaiian culture that has traditionally revered and respected , those who embody both male and female spirit. It's not uncommon for third gender people to perform critical spiritual and religious functions in their communities.

Among many Indigenous societies, two prominent features often distinguish the lives and social roles of third gender persons from those of cisgender persons or contemporary transgender persons in non-Indigenous societies. The first is that many Indigenous terms for third gender people contain both the word for "man" and "woman" in their construction, and that third gender people are seen as embodying both of those genders in diverse ways. The second is that the history of many third genders is in the community role of religious specialists, which also takes diverse forms, depending on the beliefs of diverse cultures. While not all third gender persons are defined in these terms, across our species, this phenomenon of the third gender religious specialist, healer, or spiritual worker has been part of our collective identity and human experience since time immemorial. Since the beginning of the 21st century, we've seen tremendous expansion of the role that transgender, gender diverse, and third gender people have in society, following the tenuous establishment of civil rights for gay and lesbian people in many nations and increased access to gender-affirming care in the transgender community. Many Indigenous transgender people who also identify as third gender are familiar to large audiences via their participation in popular media or social media activism. Third gender people, like the Japanese-Samoan, fa'afafine artist Yuki Kihara , now participate in major global cultural events and function not just as representatives of their gender-based community, but of their nation. Kihara had both a solo exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and represented New Zealand at the 2021 Venice Biennale. In the 21st century, many third gender people choose to take advantage of gender-affirming care, and identify, in addition to being third gender, as transgender. As access to gender-affirming care parallels healthcare access, and both third gender and Indigenous persons are often marginalized economically, it is not as readily available to many Indigenous transgender people, and within Indigenous cultures, medical transition is often seen as separate or secondary to social transition.

Within Western societies, despite centuries of suppression, there are still traces of a past when third or fourth or more genders were recognized within many cultures and societies. In rare cases, they presently exist. An example of this would be the of Albania, women who give up their social role as women to live as men. Likewise, within Jewish culture and law, as many as eight genders have been historically recognized, and in diverse ways. Take a tour with this world map, and learn how many cultures see gender diversity.
*Note: The 2023 update for this text and the map was made in consultation with Badly Licked Bear, who describes themselves as Some school or corporate domains block custom Google Maps so you may need to log in under a different or personal e-mail address to see the map. an educator, writer, artist, and mutual aid worker. They are a storyteller who teaches storytelling by storytelling and they tell circle-shaped stories. Their work is rooted in shifting identity, Looney Tunes, BDSM, deep observation, and their lived experience as an Indigiqueer transfemme.
Explore the map

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On nearly every continent, and for all of recorded history, thriving cultures have recognized, revered, and integrated more than two genders.

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All Oppression is Connected | PBS LearningMedia

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Be sure to preview this material and check your state and local regulations before using this content with your students. This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

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This mind map was created by a learner from Oaklands School in Tower Hamlets.

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For many communities, history about gender fluidity was lost or silenced during colonialism.  Learn more by watching this video.

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For many communities, history about gender fluidity was lost or silenced during colonialism.  Learn more by watching this video.

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Gender identity: ‘How colonialism killed my culture’s gender fluidity’ - BBC World Service

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This video shares the experience of India's trans comunity

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This video shares the experience of India's trans comunity

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India's Transgender Community: The Hijra | Style Out There | Refinery29

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Understanding LGBTQAI+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators

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Understanding LGBTQAI+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators

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Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators | PBS LearningMedia

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Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators offers a series of digital media resources to help teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and other educators understand and effectively address the complex and difficult issues faced by LGBTQ students.
The collection includes a growing…

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"A Place in the Middle:"  Hawaii's Transgender Curriculum

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Sistergirls - Simone and Rosalina's Story

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Sistergirls - Simone and Rosalina's Story

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LGBTQAI+ inclusive books for children and young people

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LGBTQAI+ inclusive books for children and young people

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Welcome to the Stonewall Book List for schools, colleges, parents, and carers. We've hand-selected a wide range of LGBTQ-inclusive books for children and young people to enjoy. Since we first released our book lists, there has been enormous growth in LGBTQ-inclusive children's and young adult literature, which is wonderful to see!

We hope you and the children in your life enjoy the books from this list. As with any resources for children and young people, do make sure you check them first to ensure they suit the child or young person's abilities and needs.

This is an ever-growing list so please do check in for updates from time to time. We are always keen to hear if you've read a fantastic LGBTQ-inclusive book for children and/or young people that isn't yet on the list - please let us know by emailing education@stonewall.org.uk.

Happy reading!

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LGBTQ+ inclusive books for children and young people

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Welcome to the Stonewall Book List for schools, colleges, parents, and carers. We've hand-selected a wide range of LGBTQ-inclusive books for children and young people to enjoy. Since we first released our book lists, there has been enormous growth in LGBTQ-inclusive children's and young adult...

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Trans and Nonbinary Writers to Read on This National Transgender Day of Visibility and Beyond

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From wild sci-fi adventures to dazzling memoirs, here’s a selection of excellent reads that are sure to enthrall.

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Picture books that celebrate LGBTQAI+ families

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Picture books that celebrate LGBTQAI+ families

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Picture books that celebrate LGBT families

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It's so important that little ones grow up and see their type of family set-up reflected in the books you share with them. Here's a list of our favourite children's books that show - and celebrate - diverse families. Perfect for babies all the way up to aged five.

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Middle-grade books with LGBTQAI+ characters

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Middle-grade books with LGBTQAI+ characters

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Middle-grade books with LGBTQ+ characters

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All children deserve to see themselves and their type of family set-up depicted in books - but for many middle-grade readers, finding stories with ...

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In this video, trans and non-binary folk share statements they are tired of hearing.

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In this video, trans and non-binary folk share statements they are tired of hearing.

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Things Transgender And Non-Binary People Are Tired Of Hearing | BuzzFeed India

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Language around gender and identity evolves (and always has), by Archie Crowley

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Language around gender and identity evolves (and always has), by Archie Crowley

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Language around gender and identity evolves (and always has) | Archie Crowley

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Being cisgender means when your gender identity (how you identify) is the same as your sex (your physical form)⁠. In contrast, people who are transgender or nonbinary have genders different from their sexes. Learn more about being cisgender, including how it compares to sexual orientation, and how to be a transgender ally.

What does cisgender mean?

Cisgender refers to "individuals whose assigned sex at birth is congruent with their gender identity, Christy L. Olezeski, PhD, director of Yale Medicine's Gender Program, told Health. The prefix "cis" is actually Latin for "on this side;" on the other hand, the "trans" in transgender means "on the other side of."

An example of someone who is cisgender is someone born with stereotypically female sex organs and who identifies as a woman. The same goes for a person born with stereotypically male genitalia who identifies as a man. In both cases, they were assigned sexes at birth based on their sex organs, and this sex is the same as their gender.

According to the May 2014 issue of Transgender Studies Quarterly, the term "cisgender" was initially created by transgender activists in the 1990s to differentiate between cisgender and transgender individuals without further marginalizing transgender people. "The terms man and woman, left unmarked, tend to normalize cisness-reinforcing the unstated 'naturalness' of being cisgender," the text says. Instead, the magazine suggests using identifications like "cis man or "cis woman" alongside "transman" and transwoman."

It's important to know, however, that there is a bit of controversy around the term. "Some folx would argue that we should use the term cis- or trans- any time we are identifying people," Olezeski said. However, "some folx would argue that we should not identify anyone using these, and should instead just identify folx as men, women or non-binary/gender-expansive or agender."

What's the difference between cisgender and straight (heterosexual)?

It's important to know that gender identity and sexual orientation are two different things. Gender identity is how someone identifies; sexual orientation refers to who someone is attracted to. "As someone once said, gender identity is who you go to bed as, while sexual orientation is who you want to go to bed with," Olezeski said.

That means those who identify as cisgender can fall anywhere on the sexuality spectrum-gay, straight, bisexual, etc.-just as anyone who is transgender, too, can identify with any sexual orientation.

What is cisgender privilege?

In a 2014 article published in the Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, Julia R. Johnson, PhD, explains that "cisgender privilege is given to persons whose morphology aligns with socially-sanctioned gender categories." People who do not identify as cisgender-namely transgender people-experience discrimination on many levels.

Johnson's article outlines a few different examples of what cisgender privilege can look like: "Some forms of cisgender privilege include: Having a government-issued identification that accurately represents one's identity; not being ''asked . . . what my genitals look like, or whether or not my breasts are real, what medical procedures I have had''; not being forced ''to adopt a different gender presentation'' or denied medical care; or being refused ''access to, and fair treatment within, sex segregated facilities'' such as bathrooms, homeless shelters, prisons, and domestic violence shelters."

These inequalities translate into worse health. The barriers to medical care can prevent transgender people from getting routine screenings. Meanwhile, the stress of discrimination can also make LGBTQ+ people more at risk of having mental health conditions-a risk worsened by being unable to get gender-affirming care.

How can you work against cisgender privilege?

To become a transgender ally (a cisgender person working to fight for the rights of the transgender community), cisgender people must confront their own privileges. You must examine not only your own relationships but also societal structures that oppress transgender people. Avoid asking questions like those listed above. Support transgender people in their fights against oppressive systems like bans on gender-affirming care.

Also make sure to educate yourself on issues that people in the transgender community face, speak up against comments or actions that marginalize transgender people, and always remember to use someone's appropriate pronouns to avoid misgendering them (if you are not sure how to do this, the easiest way is to share your own pronouns and ask for theirs).

To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter

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Being Cisgender and Straight Aren't the Same Thing-Here's the Difference

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Being cisgender means when your gender identity (how you identify) is the same as your sex (your physical form)⁠. In contrast, people who are transgender or nonbinary have genders different from their sexes. Learn more about being cisgender, including how it compares to sexual orientation, and how to be a transgender ally.

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Global Learning, or Global Citizenship Education, aims to empower learners to engage and assume active roles locally, nationally and/or globally, to face and resolve global challenges and ultimately to become proactive contributors to a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.

It builds on a diversity of world views and indigenous wisdoms to foster the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and behaviours towards a kinder, more regenerative way of life.

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Audrey Mason-Hyde’s shares their experience on being queer

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Audrey Mason-Hyde’s shares their experience on being queer

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Toilets, bowties, gender and me | Audrey Mason-Hyde | TEDxAdelaide

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A Guide to Showing up for Non-Binary People

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A Guide to Showing up for Non-Binary People

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eggtooth (@eggtoothproject)

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8 Ways to be a better ally to LGBT Disabled people

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As this year’s Disability History Month comes to an end, Stonewall’s Accessibility Forum have highlighted 8 ways you can become a better ally to LGBT disabled people. One in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity...

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How rural queer communities connect through storytelling

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How rural queer communities connect through storytelling

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photographs by Annie Flanagan

Hermelinda Cortés, pictured with son Santos Timmons Cortés at their Virginia home, is part of the editorial advisory team for the Country Queers podcast. She and Rae Garringer, the podcast's host, met at a 2013 where she facilitated a conversation among rural queer Southerners. Garringer hopes to interview her for the project someday.

In the summer of 2014, Rae Garringer took a road trip.

Toting a tent, atlas, camera, and recorder, Garringer manoeuvered their tiny Subaru on a winding route across the rural United States, from Mississippi to New Mexico to Colorado. They spent some nights in campgrounds, some in hotels. But more often than not, Garringer slept on the couches and floors of near-strangers, eating food from their grills, walking their land, riding their tractors-and recording their stories.

The trip did a number on Garringer's wheezing car, but each mile served a purpose: As a queer person in Appalachia, they needed to know they weren't alone.

Garringer ended up with 45 hours of tape that proved they weren't-the seeds of an oral history project in its fitful early stages. Then summer, and the Subaru sputtered to a stop. Garringer went back to work at a public school in West Virginia, where they didn't feel they could be out. Still, the trip changed things for Garringer, who returned home to Appalachia in 2012 after eight years away. They were prepared to feel isolated, but the interviews they collected on their trip told a more nuanced story.

"Rural queer lives look so different, across space, across people's identities," says Garringer."I came back like, 'Oh yeah, we are everywhere.' Which I'd felt to be true, but I didn't have personal evidence for it."

Sharing stories

Much of the transcribed audio Garringer collected during their Kickstarter-funded road trip was added to a website: " Country Queers." Hoping to provide access to the kinds of stories they had needed and couldn't find, Garringer had begun by interviewing friends, then friends of friends. A fledgling network grew through word of mouth. When the project began in 2013, it was a solo endeavor; today, Garringer works with an assistant editor and three editorial advisers, all encountered along the way.

Now, 65 interviews later, the oral histories are taking the form of a podcast, set to a gently-strummed banjo. Even as the project grows, the goal remains the same: figuring out what the future can look like.

"As much as this project has been about amplifying people's stories and raising our visibility, there is such a personal piece for me of like, how do we do this?" Garringer says. "How do we thrive in these places?"
(Related: Half a century after Stonewall, hear these stories of resistance and resilience.)
Garringer received a master's degree in folklore at the University of North Carolina in 2017 after leaving their position in West Virginia, but initially had no experience with oral history. They gravitated to the method naturally-listening carefully to stories was a childhood instinct, honed and harnessed to benefit others. Tommie Anderson, the podcast's assistant editor, often thinks about what it would have meant as a teenager to hear the terminology offered in interviews, and to discover a selfhood through the stories of strangers.

"The stories containing a lot of the language that we needed...would have changed things," Anderson says. "Drastically."

This is oral history, distilled to its essence: One person shares, one listens and records, and the past becomes a living thing to learn from.

A history of histories

Oral traditions have existed for generations, but oral history began "robustly emerging" within academia after the 1960s, says Seth Kotch, director of the Southern Oral History Program. Young activists and organisers were entering graduate school, wanting to learn from an older generation. Even today, many oral historians approach the work from a "justice-seeking perspective," says Kotch, and most focus not only on public movements, but on the details of individual lives.
(Related: Learn about five powerful movements fuelled by young activists.)
The discipline isn't without critics. Some scholars in empirical fieldsclaim "objectivity as the benchmark for academic truth," says E. Patrick Johnson, who publishes and performs stories of queer Black individuals in the South. Because memories are rarely objective and almost always contradictory, oral history is often thought to be unreliable, fluctuating, even fluid.

In this way, it'sinnately queer, says Jason Ruiz, co-author of Queer Twin Cities, a Minnesota oral history project. Ruiz believes that when the field of queer studies turned theoretical, oral histories emerged as a reminder that queer lives were also tangible things.

"The foundation of queer oral history work is a total frustration-sometimes anger, sometimes grief-at being left out of the archive," Ruiz says.

Perhaps as a result, oral history is uniquely suited for community use. Myrl Beam, oral historian for the Tretter Transgender Oral History Project, calls the form a "history from below," accessible to individuals outside of power structures, including academia.

"When someone with a Ph.D. goes out into [a] community and gathers these stories to be held in a university repository, that's valuable, in some ways," Beam says. "But a community archive is even more valuable, because it transforms the community it documents."

From a distance

The Country Queers project is a reflection of that transformation. By embracing the contradictions of oral history, Garringer hopes to complicate media's prevailing narrative of rural queer life, which emphasises isolation, secrecy, and danger.

In reality, no two stories sound the same. The project leaves room for fluidity: Garringer always follows interviewees' leads, even if they end up speaking about horses, goats, their garden or snow cone stand.

"My hope has been that [the project is] for rural queer people," Garringer says. "I want it to be first and foremost about us seeing each other."
(Related: How do you beat loneliness during a pandemic? LGBTQ elders lend their wisdom.)

Rae Garringer and friend Jacob Mack-Boll attend the Isom Days Festival in Kentucky. Garringer had no experience with oral history when Country Queers began, but the format's accessibility attracted them. "[This] project is a story of what happens when you feel like this is so urgent that you just need to do it, even though you don't have all the tools or a lot of money or a lot of training or a lot of support."

Country Queers relies on this connection. Sam Gleaves, who was interviewed for the website in 2013, believes he wouldn't have been at ease sharing his experience with someone who wasn't queer, or who didn't grow up in Appalachia. Without this mutual understanding, the more complicated parts of his coming-out story-including his family's reaction-might have been misrepresented.

The connection Garringer helps to build is even more intimate in podcast form. You can hear people's "hearts in their voices," Gleaves says.

Lately, Garringer has been thinking about that intimacy. In 2013, they felt alone. In 2020, much of the world feels the same.

Garringer couldn't have predicted a pandemic, but they're glad the podcast's themes are resonating. The stories are personal, but each episode offers wisdom: how to survive isolation, how to find community there.

"Country queers know how to do this," Garringer says.

Over the past few months at their home in Kentucky, they've been attending virtual film screenings and Zoom gatherings. They can still swim in the nearby lake and walk in the woods. And being home has its advantages: The first episode of the podcast features audio of their dog and ducks. The sound disrupts the quiet. From there, the stories start.

Nicole Blackwood is a freelance writer based in Boston. You can find her on Twitter.

Annie Flanagan is a documentary photographer focusing on issues surrounding gender, sexuality, and trauma in the United States. Follow them on Instagram.

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'We are everywhere': How rural queer communities connect through storytelling

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photographs by Annie Flanagan Hermelinda Cortés, pictured with son Santos Timmons Cortés at their Virginia home, is part of the editorial advisory team for the Country Queers podcast. She and Rae Garringer, the podcast's host, met at a 2013 where she facilitated a conversation among rural queer Southerners.

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“The Gender Unicorn”    |    Trans Student Educational Resources, 2015. 

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“The Gender Unicorn”    |    Trans Student Educational Resources, 2015. 

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You can learn more about gender identity, gender expression/presentation, as well as sex assigned at birth, this the Gender Unicorn , a comprehensive infographic and teaching tool about gender.

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Note: There is an interactive version of the Gender Unicorn that is only visible on desktop. English Coloring Book (English) Español (Spanish) Português (Portuguese) ру́сский язы́к (Russian) 日本語 (Japanese) Deutsch (German) Français (French) italiano (Italian) ภาษาไทย (Thai) Türkçe (Turkish) Nederlands (Dutch) ភាសាខ្មែរ (Khmer) magyar (Hungarian) dansk (Danish) íslenska (Icelandic) English Interactive (English) Coloring Book (English) [...]

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Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity: What Is The Difference?

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Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity: What Is The Difference?

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Watch this video from AMAZE Org to learn about the difference between Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity.

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Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity: What Is The Difference?

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Health and Care LGBTQ+ Inclusion Framework

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Health and Care LGBTQ+ Inclusion Framework

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The NHS, along with other health and care organisations, seeks to provide fair access to health and care for all, to improve the health of all parts of the population, and to be an inclusive employer. And yet, the sparse data that currently exists, along with feedback from members of the NHS Confederation's Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network, exposes that we are still on that journey.

Leaders of NHS organisations seek support on how to make progress and deliver on their role in creating genuine improvement for staff, patients and the population. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a catalyst for the Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network, in collaboration with the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network, to develop this inclusion framework.

This framework comprises six key pillars of inclusivity that organisations should aim to build to create and maintain inclusive cultures:

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Health and Care LGBTQ+ Inclusion Framework

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The NHS, along with other health and care organisations, seeks to provide fair access to health and care for all, to improve the health of all parts of the population, and to be an inclusive employer.

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Please note you need the password to access the video.

Password: youmestory

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Using the image above , ask participants to think about how the following people are feeling:

The Lord,

The faceless creatures,

The director,

A young person watching the video, who doesn’t always feel like they fit in,

A person who identifies as non-binary.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lHvzKEicUa8MBHXOEq3pw8QZF0nXLGLa/view?usp=sharing

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Here's the stroy template so learners can practice.

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Historic England | Teaching LGBTQAI+, KS3 

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Historic England | Teaching LGBTQAI+, KS3 

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Teaching activities

There are many activities in the downloadable pdfs including ones which focus on:

Terms - developing a greater understanding of the terms around sexuality and gender and understanding of the complexity and sensitivity of the language

Roman Britain - understanding that different times and cultures have been more or less accepting of a range of sexuality and gender identification starting to build a picture of LGBTQ history and its place on the map of England

Law and Punishment in British History - learning about the law and punishments associated with LGBTQ history and developing an understanding of why some histories are easier to discover than others

Is This Discrimination? - learning to articulate their reasoning and demonstrate some understanding of transgender, mental health and racism and demonstrating their understanding of how prejudice operates

Drama - an opportunity to develop documentary drama skills. A script has been created from a real account of the police raid on The Temperance Hall Cross Dressing Ball, Hulme, Manchester, 24 September 1880.

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Teaching LGBTQ at KS3 | Historic England

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There are many activities in the downloadable pdfs including ones which focus on: Terms - developing a greater understanding of the terms around sexuality and gender and understanding of the complexity and sensitivity of the language Roman Britain - understanding that different times and cultures have been more or less

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Girls toys vs boys toys:  The experiment

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Girls toys vs boys toys:  The experiment

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This video can be used for discussion on gender stereotypes and how they impact how we relate to each other.

Investigate and discuss the negative impact of gender stereotypes on children and young people.

Research into the negative impact of gender stereotypes on children and young people:

44%of girls said being good-looking was most important

1 in 8 of the young people said that ‘being tough’ is important in boys

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BBC - Girl toys vs boy toys: The experiment

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Gender specific toys: do you stereotype children?

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Activism Fatigue: The Mind is a Powerful Resource of Change

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It is never easy to create change. As we are currently witnessing with the civil rights, PRIDE, and BLM movements to see a positive change in our world, one must take action to create a movement. This is not an easy task, and there are bound to be obstacles that need to be overcome.

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Stonewall have spent more than 30 years working towards a world where all children and young people have access to an LGBTQ+ inclusive education.  They have a selection of best practice toolkits and resources available, depending on your needs

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Best practice, toolkits and resources

Stonewall have spent more than 30 years working towards a world where all children and young people have access to an LGBTQ+ inclusive education.

Stonewall's dedicated team of education professionals work hard to bring you the resources and guidance you need regardless of whether you're just getting started with your LGBTQ+ inclusive work or whether you're looking to further embed and develop your practice. Whether you're looking for best practice guidance and policy templates, posters or lesson packs written by a qualified teacher, there's something here for you.

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Learning with Stonewall

Stonewall have spent more than 30 years working towards a world where all children and young people have access to an LGBTQ+ inclusive education.

Stonewall's dedicated team of education professionals work hard to bring you the resources and guidance you need regardless of whether you're just getting started with your LGBTQ+ inclusive work or whether you're looking to further embed and develop your practice. Whether you're looking for best practice guidance and policy templates, posters or lesson packs written by a qualified teacher, there's something here for you.

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Stonewall have spent more than 30 years working towards a world where all children and young people have access to an LGBTQ+ inclusive education. Stonewall's dedicated team of education professionals work hard to bring you the resources and guidance you need regardless of whether you're...

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Story of a High Schooler struggling to come out as a trans.

After knowing who they truly are for a while, they finds themselves fatigued by their fear of whether others will accept them or not.

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'Still Me' follows the story of a non-binary teenager (Bailey). After coming to terms with their identity it's time for them to come out at school and navigate what this means for their social life.

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Schools OUT UK are proud of working with The Proud Trust to spread Schools OUT UK concepts of usualing, actualising and realising.
The Rainbow Flag Award partner organisations are thrilled to have the blessing of Sue Sanders and Schools OUT UK, to offer a complementary website to The Classroom, by d…

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Being yourself is a wonderful thing and no one is the same as anyone else.

How can we use the word 'identity' to describe how we feel about ourselves?

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Why LGBTQIA+ representation matters in the Early Years

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Why LGBTQIA+ representation matters in the Early Years

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The importance of representation within the Early Years is a subject of continual discussion.

What do we hope to add to that discussion? Well, we felt like we had heard from so many other professionals about the different ways that we should promote diversity and support children and families within the sector.

Yet, there wasn't a lot of accessible information to help us explore why we do things the way we do when it comes to discussing LGBTQIA+ in the Early Years.

Some settings had even told us that they didn't focus on this enough "in case the parents find out". In fact, it's something we hear a lot. We thought it was time to ask why, and what we can do about it.

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Why are some settings afraid of focusing on LGBTQIA+ Awareness?

It's so important to be reflective on our own practice and think about why it might be that people worry about how to discuss LGBTQIA+ in the Early Years. We wondered:

Is it due to individuals not knowing enough about a certain aspect of the LGBTQ community?
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Is it that they fear addressing an issue that they aren't totally confident in?
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Or is it that they may be taken out of their own comfort zone when looking at these important issues with the children?

But pushing ourselves from our comfort zone is how we improve. Ultimately, how would a child in our setting feel within their day-to-day experiences if they knew that they felt different to other children in some way but didn't have a trusted adult to help them?

That's why, in 2020, the LGBTQIA+ Early Years Working Group was formed. There are now 17 members involved, each working within different sectors and roles from Early Years settings through to schools.

approaches that currently exist within our society and systems.

What does heteronormative mean?

Heteronormativity is the idea that society views heterosexuality as the 'norm'. This means if you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community, you're seen as different. Then along with that, come gender stereotypes and negative viewpoints that can easily harm people who don't fit that heternormative view of the world.

As with anything in the Early Years, to help improve our approach on a certain issue, it is always about bringing the narrative back to keeping the unique child at the centre of our approaches and celebrating this. With that in mind, let's start with why this matters.

The why...

Just like us, you may be thinking, why? Why do we need to get involved when it comes to LGBTQIA+ representation?

Well, let's take a trip to an early years setting. Within this setting there is a same-sex female parent couple and their 3-year-old Maisey attends full-time. Maisey is positive, confident within her play - generally a happy young human. One day, Maisey asked her key worker, Paul, 'Paul, where are the pictures of my mummies?'.

What she meant was - where is my representation?

Maisey comes from a loving home, but when she goes to nursery, like all children she's soaking it all in. And she's starting to notice that her voice is missing. Where is her family, she's wondering, which she knows as the 'norm' at home.

We're sure you can start to connect the dots. This story leads us into our why...

Children quickly pick up on whether their environment represents them - or not. Representing the voice of every child is crucial for learning and development, and that's why it's so important to get to know your parents or carers who identify as LGBTQIA+.

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Getting to know your LGBTQIA+ families

It's important that you ask the same questions of LGBTQIA+ families that you ask everyone, but you could also ask some questions which are specific to them, such as:

What names does your child call you?

How would you like us to refer to you when we speak to your child?

How would you like us to describe your family to others, children and families etc?

How would you like me to respond to questions about your family?

Something to bear in mind is that even though these questions are quite open, some parents and carers who identify as LGBTQIA+ may be quite private, and might not be comfortable straight away with sharing details about their home life or family relationships. This is where it's so vital that your environment is as inclusive as possible, and you're prepared to answer all questions children ask - so that children like Maisey have the opportunity to see a true reflection of society today.

How to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ families

Within your setting, it is important to make every effort to make your environment welcoming and nurturing for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Here are some examples, a start to reflect on your setting and how you can make your environment inclusive:

1. Make all of your forms reflective of the language that is welcoming to all kinds of families - for example, changing the spaces that request the names of 'father' or 'mother', instead using 'parent' or 'guardian'
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2. In your written communication, address families with inclusive phrases like 'Dear Parents and Carers' or simply 'Dear Families'
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3. Make diverse images more visible in your setting, with books, posters and play equipment that visually represents all children and families within our society.

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The how...

There are lots of fantastic resources and guidance already out there to help you be a more supportive setting for all children and families. These include fantastic case studies about how settings have already moved forward with being a good example of LGBTQIA+ inclusivity fromour own LGBTQIA+ Early Years Group and this Early Years toolkit from Stonewall.

Our advice would be to start by taking some time to reflect on where you are as an organisation and as individuals. Ask:

What is your current curriculum and delivery of LGBTQIA awareness?

How often do you discuss this?

What resources do you have that show same-sex families?

Is your delivery merely a gesture, or is it embedded within your ethos and culture?

We know from experience and discussions with other settings that everyone is on a journey in their learning and delivery of LGBTQIA+ awareness. Knowing this and accepting this will make it easier to ensure that the discussions you have with your teams aren't focused on who is 'right and wrong' but instead framed around the needs of the children and of their families. If you're so afraid of getting things wrong that you can't have that discussion to begin with, then making any progress is going to be almost impossible.

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Engaging beyond your setting

Engagement with the wider community is also very important. As with everything that we do within the Early Years, we need to ensure that we are communicating with families about our offer and how we celebrate differences - this includes our LGBTQIA+ delivery.

Children in your setting migh have same-sex parents, same-sex relatives or may be on their own journey to explore their gender. These are all great learning opportunities for the child, but also for us as professionals. The community and families that you work with will be a great resource to help shape your discussions and experiences with this. We need to 'normalise' the discussions around LGBTQIA+, so that this is seen as of equal importance to all other discussions around personal development.

In summary, you should:

Make sure that your offer is embedded within your ethos and that your discussions with colleagues and families are focused on the child.
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Constantly review what you're doing and how you're doing it, asking - does it showcase the best that you can be?
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Use readily available resources for inspiration and ensure that this is a longer-term plan for your setting.
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Embrace the challenges and prepare for them, by talking with other settings who may be further ahead on their journey.
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Remember, that doing the right thing for the child and family may not always be the easiest thing to do. But this shouldn't detract from the work we do each day to prepare our children for life in the modern world.
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The hope...

We hope that this blog will inspire you to reflect on your own values and beliefs, as well as that of your setting. We know that this may be a sensitive issue for you to discuss with colleagues and to get started with, but as with all areas of personal and social development it is key to ensure that you're meeting the needs of the unique child and their family.

There are laws and protections in place to support this work, including the Equality Act 2010, which can be referred to when framing discussions and training to help focus your

The support that we provide to each other is even more important now and in the future and learning from each other's strengths and areas of development will ensure that each child in every setting is getting the best start in life.

The LGBTQIA+ Working Group have invested time and effort in sharing best practice and creating a magazine to accompany the LGBTQIA+ Early Years Awareness Week (22nd-26th February 2021) Awareness Week. This can be downloaded for free from the www.lgbtqearlyears.org website and we hope that this will be a great platform to share with colleagues and families within your setting. It includes lots of links and supporting documents to help you with your next steps and time remind you that you're not alone! There are many organisations and supporting agencies who can help and advise if you're unsure on any aspect of LGBTQIA+ terminology or inclusion into practice.

Every child and family has the right to feel included and represented within their setting. We hope that this blog, the magazine and awareness week help to inform wider discussions across all Early Years settings to ensure that we get it right from the start. Our children are with us for a relatively short period of their formative years and we need to be confident and courageous in delivering what is right for every one of them. Be proud of your setting and its offer and be the hope for every child and family that you work alongside.
Aaron Bradbury is a Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood at Nottingham Trent University, and has been working in the Early Years. He's currently a member of the Executive Committee of the ECSDN (Early Childhood Studies Degree Network), the co-founder of The Early Years Academy and provides an online platform for practitioners and all Early Years professionals via his app and website, Early Years Reviews by Aaron.
Gary is the Headteacher of a special school in Derby and has over 12 years' experience within teaching and school leadership. He lives with his husband in Birmingham and has worked in many different settings, including Early Years and primary schools (both mainstream and SEND). Gary introduced and hosts the fortnightly SENDVoices Twitter chat held on a Saturday morning and plans to host a special online BrewEd focusing on SEND.

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Why LGBTQIA+ representation matters in Early Years | Famly

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The importance of representation within the Early Years is a subject of continual discussion. What do we hope to add to that discussion? Well, we felt like we had heard from so many other professionals about the different ways that we should promote diversity and support children and families within the sector.

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From American designer Willie Norris to Indian doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju to British writer Paris Lees, GQ celebrates influential trans creators

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From American designer Willie Norris to Indian doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju to British writer Paris Lees, GQ celebrates influential trans creators

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From American designer Willie Norris to Indian doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju to British writer Paris Lees, GQ celebrates influential trans creators

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From American designer Willie Norris to Indian doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju to British writer Paris Lees, GQ celebrates influential trans creators

Across the globe, trans rights are on the frontline of human rights. In the US, the Republican party has introduced a blitz of legislation aimed at making it harder for trans people to access basic healthcare, while the Biden administration has proposed changes to Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools and colleges, that would further protect transgender students. In Spain, a bill is moving through parliament that would allow 16-year olds to freely change their gender (previously, a doctor's diagnosis was required); 12-year-olds would be able to do so with a judge's approval. In England, a media environment hostile to trans people persists; France just banned conversion therapy; Mexico recently issued a birth certificate with a third gender to a non-binary person for the first time. Meanwhile in sports, which have become a key testing ground for trans rights, just last week German soccer passed new laws allowing transgender athletes to decide whether they want to play for men's or women's teams, while FINA, the world governing body for swimming, announced a new rule that would prohibit transgender women from competing in major women's races, and create a new "open" category for them.

In the face of what Transgender Europe, a network of organisations dedicated to strengthening the rights of trans people in Europe and Central Asia, describes as " slow progress" across many countries, trans people continue to survive and, when allowed, thrive. Of course, none of this work happens on its own. Here, the GQ global network spotlights eleven trans artists, activists and creators to talk about their lives and conditions in their country.

Willie Norris is the American design director of the men's clothing brand Outlier.

Can you name an LGBTQIA+ person or artwork that inspired you to live in your truth?

David Robilliard was a British poet and artist who died in 1988 from AIDS. His work is truthful, sad, desperate and sexy. I'm an avid collector of his books and works- anything that shows up on ebay I scoop up if I am able to.I have an edition of his that is a small matchbox with the words "OLD FLAMES ARE DEAD MATCHES" printed on it. I had it framed and it is now one of the few things I have on the walls of my apartment. I meditate on it daily and it always leads me somewhere new, somewhere exciting, somewhere true.

Can you describe your personal style and how it's evolved since you have become more vocal about your identity?

For a few years now I have been honing in on this term "workwear bricolage" to summate my personal style. Workwear is the basis for my personal wardrobe and it is supported by flourishes of femininity and nostalgia. Funnily enough, since transitioning my wardrobe has gotten decidedly more masculine on the whole. I've never enjoyed wearing menswear more.
Is there a particular organisation you think is doing important work right now?
Black Trans Liberation, founded by Qween Jean, is actively building community in the pursuit of Black trans equality. They aim to end homelessness within the trans population by providing access and resources from community partners that empower and celebrate the TGNC community. I am eternally in awe of Qween's grace and her ability to energise so many people from various walks of life.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Going blonde.

Jake Zyrus is a Filipino singer who became the first solo Asian artist to get a Top 10 album on the Billboard charts.

Is there a person who inspired you to live in your truth?

Growing up, I didn't know about transgender people or what it meant to be trans. But I always knew deep in my heart that I was born in the wrong body. When I was 20 years old, a friend and I were talking about Cher's kid, Chaz Bono, and his transition journey. After doing my research on him, it was an "aha" moment for me. I realised that I was trans too.

A person who inspired me more directly was Ellen DeGeneres, who was one of the people who gave me my first big break in the US. Beyond that though, I always think about when she came out years ago, and how she lost her job, friends, a lot of people in her life, even her supporters. What she went through and what she eventually became? What an amazing journey.

Sometimes I get strength from that story. I appreciate the [cultural] changes, I feel them. Seeing stuff like that is where I get the strength to fight, that hopefully someday people will focus on my talents again too, instead of just my sexuality.

How has your personal style evolved since you became more vocal about your identity?

Before I first came out-I initially came out as a lesbian-I dressed very androgynously, to the point that it confused a lot of people. I would wear statement costumes that were very loud and dramatic. Since my transition though, I've become more understated. I still incorporate both feminine and masculine styles but the amazing thing about fashion and style is that it has no gender-at least it shouldn't have. I like what I like and my gender doesn't have to define my style.
What are the most urgent issues facing trans people in the Philippines?
Violence against trans people is one of the most urgent issues in the Philippines. We all know that violence knows no gender and it can happen to anyone. But in the Philippines, over 50 transgender people have been murdered since 2010.

Dr. Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju is an Indian trans activist, digital content creator and surgeon-in-training.

Is there a person or artwork that inspired you to live in your truth?

One of the first exposures I had to trans people was Gazal Dhaliwal. Someone who has written some of my favourite films in Bollywood. Through her visibility, through her sharing of personal experiences as a transgender woman. She gave me hope and a vision for the kind of life I wanted to lead. And that's really all it takes for someone who is still figuring out who they are. All it takes is one queer or one trans person to make you feel like you're not alone. And that you deserve to take up space and exist. Her appearance on Stayamev Jayate many years ago allowed me to have this conversation with my parents. Her visibility reassured my family that it is possible for a trans person to achieve things and to hone their talents and skills and really make it in life.

What professional obstacles have you had to overcome as a trans person?

Professional obstacles differ from profession to profession. Medicine is a very heteronormative and cisnormative space where medical colleges, hospitals and healthcare institutions are still very far behind as far as queer and trans inclusion are concerned. Cisnormative and heteronormative ideals of what a respectable doctor should look like, unfortunately, do not make space for queer and trans people because they have historically been seen as not respectable. So, any amount of visible queerness is looked down upon. For me to go to the hospital on a daily basis is quite scary because you're worried that fellow doctors or a patient may be made to feel uncomfortable by your presence and you may be discriminated against. Transgender people in India and across the world have such difficulty in accessing primary healthcare or gender affirming care. You don't always find people you can relate to or confide in. So, there have been many obstacles, including finding accommodation as a transgender person on a university campus.

In the content creation space, there are very few out-and-proud transgender people on the internet who create content around their experiences. That's changing and I'm very glad that it is. But around the time I came out and started to make my identity visible, it was very hard because there was very little information out there about how to go about navigating this space while receiving endless abuse from trolls and ghost profiles. To listen to transphobia on a daily basis in your DMs and in your emails can be quite distressing. As for the realm of acting, I find that in the Indian film industry and globally there aren't enough trans people playing trans characters, especially ones which are sensitively written.
Is there a particular organisation you think is doing important work right now?
One organization I see doing a lot of good work is the TWEET Foundation. They work actively towards rehabilitating queer and trans youth by providing housing and providing opportunities so we may live safer and more dignified lives. PeriFerry is also doing excellent work in that area.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement to this day, most definitely will be, having the courage to come out to myself. Before you deal with the outside world, it really takes a lot to be able to look in a mirror and tell yourself that "This is who I am, this is the life I want to live and that's that". I think, no matter what I accomplish in my medical or my content creation or acting career, I think it really started with that.

Jackie Kratz is a French model agent who promotes diversity and focuses on the inclusion of queer talent in the fashion industry.

Is there a person or artwork that inspired you to live in your truth?

I remember, when I was just starting puberty, searching Google on the family computer (secretly of course) on "how to become a boy." That's how I came across Kael T. Block's XX Boys photography project of trans boys from all over the world. Some of them had scars on their torsos, the same scars that I have now. Through this project, I knew that I didn't have to simply endure my life. Knowing that transitioning was possible gave me the hope I needed to get through adolescence. This is why visibility matters.

What are the most urgent issues facing trans people in France?

I cannot pretend to provide an analysis as detailed as some activists could. That said, I find that there's a dissonance between the advances on some fronts and the failure of the state and governmental actors to defend trans rights. It is likely to represent a major issue in our future struggles, especially in a climate that makes it more difficult for public figures to take a stand supporting the rights and lives of trans people. Trans people need access to their civil rights, stable jobs, and housing. They need public policies that address their precarious situations, often excluded from support networks-they should not be rejected or labeled.

How have you been celebrating Pride?

For me Pride Month is a month of commemoration, to thank our elders who fought and who allowed us to be able to live somewhere other than in a closet. However, I make it a point of honor to celebrate our identities 12 months a year and not just during the month of June. Because let's not forget that our lives as a trans person and all that that implies of oppression exist every month of the year, I take this opportunity to salute the collectives and associations in activity throughout the year.

On Pride day, I'm with my friends and it's really a special moment. We are among ourselves so we feel strong and safe, our queerness is not a weakness that day, a sensitive point that puts us in danger. No it's a bit special day because we are together and we occupy the space surrounded by people who celebrate the same thing. As if this space finally belongs to us as it should.
Is there a particular organisation you think is doing important work right now?
Acceptess-T has been in existence for more than ten years, and they contribute to advancing the social rights of trans people while also providing material support of the most precarious people, largely through FAST [the acronym for le Fonds d'Aide Social Trans, which provides food, housing, and other assistance]. This organisation also supports and helps the development of other newer organisations. XY Media is another interesting organisation. It's the first French audiovisual transfeminist media company and counteracts the reactionary and false discourses around trans people.

Tourmaline is an American artist and activist whose work appears in major museums.
Who inspires you to live in your truth?

Photographs of Marsha P. Johnson and her truly unique style of clothing. She would collect clothing from the trash and fashion herself in this very unique and singular way that would inspire the landscape around her. And then she would do a fashion moment across the length of Christopher Street and kind of do a runway walk. To me that is very inspiring. Any time I see a photo of her in the West Village in her looks, showing up, it's really incredible.

Texas Isaiah is a photographer and a friend of mine who is truly a visionary, and his portraiture is just really singular in the landscape and so evocative in what it brings into focus. I would also say Joshua Allen: They're one of the most powerful emerging voices in the artistic landscape. They just made this new body of work, and it's really incredible and inspired. It's a series of photographs and video.
How has your personal style evolved since you became more vocal about your identity?
My personal style is fun, hot, nothing serious is going on here. Slutty and iconic. Shy girl meets hentai. There's been a lot of people who've poured their focus and energy into helping me evolve my style, whether that's romantic partners or professional ones, or friends. Two people right now who I collaborate frequently with are Miss Claire Sullivan, who is a fashion designer and now has her own design brand, it's custom couture, and then also Becca McCharen-Tran, who owns and runs Chromat. The film that just won Basel's biggest art prize in June featured Miss Claire's fashion designs as well as my photographs. Becca and I came out with a swimwear line together underlying the idea of, how do we bring more people to the party, how do we show up at the party more. The unifying principle of all of my work is that the party is truly more fun when more of us feel like we can get there.

My style and fashion has really evolved, and it's been fun, too. A long time ago I used to work at the Gap, and clothes really matter to me. Trans people were literally policed in New York City through fashion and style. If you were a trans woman and you weren't wearing three articles of quote-unquote "male clothing," you would be arrested and put in jail. These things have history and they really matter and they're also so powerful and fun. Sometimes we leave out the fun aspect.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My greatest personal achievement has been away from any kind of spotlight or external validation and fame. It's been a slow journey back into remembering my beauty and the importance of my voice and presence. So often that happens in a moment when I'm confronted with messages that happen to really counter that, and I have to make a decision to line up with what I know to be true. Sometimes it's easier to know that what you're doing is important when other people are saying hey, that's really important. But to me the really gratifying work has come when I'm deliberately tuning to a knowing of my value, and beauty, and power, regardless of what other people are saying. And that has been really what has fuelled so many projects of mine, both on a personal level of how I show up for myself and other people, and also on a more professional level, whether it's organising or my artistic practice. The work that is in the Met or the Tate or the MoMA or the Getty, those are all from that central core component of just remembering our beauty, and also that pleasure and ease and luxury and rest are really important and good things. It just is a thread that goes through so much of my life.

Paris Lees is an English journalist, presenter, campaigner, model, and the author of the 2021 memoir What It Feels Like for a Girl.
Your memoir describes growing up in Noughties Britain, what do you think has changed since then?
Social media has been good for social causes but there's also been this new breed of really extreme transphobia. It's a reaction to the fact that we are more visible, and that more families are supporting their kids in the way that I needed to be supported growing up. Thankfully, we're seeing a generation coming up now who are primed to flourish.

Tell us about an organisation that's doing important work right now?

Extinction Rebellion. To me they're the only people who understand the urgent and serious threat posed by climate change. I don't see LGBTQ people speaking about this enough and they should - science is clear that we are looking at societal collapse within our lifetimes. No one is going to respect your pronouns when they're trampling over you for the last tins of food.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

When I came to London I met a DJ called Alex Silverfish who let me stay at hers during a heatwave. She was so kind and full of life but she was abused every time she left the house. A few years later, she killed herself. I have lots of stories like this and it could have been my story. So being alive, and thriving, in the face of relentless hostility.

Ander Puig is a Spanish actor who recently joined the cast of Netflix's Elite for the show's sixth season.

What professional obstacles have you had to overcome as a trans person?

I really didn't have to face any professional obstacles. That's my experience, luckily, but I guess a lot of trans people still have to go through all that.

What are the most urgent issues facing trans people in Spain?

Family support. I think there's still a lot of people lacking their parent's support. They're not believed, they're forced to walk alone. That's the start of it all. You need to hold the hand of your loved one through all this process.
Tell us about an organisation that is doing important work right now?
There's this organisation in Barcelona called Trànsit, that offers trans people counsel and support since day one. You can request an initial meeting, and then you tell them how you feel, what you need, if you want to start transitioning... They walked me through it and I'm really thankful for that.

Imara Jones is the American creator of TransLash Media, a cross-platform journalism, personal storytelling and narrative project.
Who inspired you to live in your truth?
A historic figure I think about often is Mary Jones who was a Black trans woman in 1830s New York City. Hers is one of the earliest known examples of trans people in US history. She had the courage and bravery to be herself despite living in a society where both her identity as an African American and as a transgender woman were weaponised against her. Even though the full details of her story are not known to us, she is a unique example that merely declaring your existence is power. With respect to art work, the first time I saw a representation from Ancient Egypt of Hatshepsut, a woman who declared herself Pharaoh and ruled as a man with one of the most successful reigns of her time, I knew that I was looking at my own truth.

What are the most urgent issues facing trans people in America?
The urgent issues confronting our community are the more than 300 anti-trans bills pending in more than 40 states across the country and the entire operation on the Christian Nationalist right--including billionaires, politicians, non-profit groups, think tanks, and religious institutions--that are behind it all. This conglomeration of extremists, what I call the "anti-trans hate machine," both want to push trans people out of public life and to impose an anti-democratic future on us all. They are not only an existential threat for trans people but to the very idea of freedom itself.
What professional obstacles have you had to overcome as a trans person?
The biggest obstacle is for people to actually take you seriously and to consider your voice worthy. Many women speak about how they can be in a room full of men, make a powerful observation before a man says the same thing, and be totally ignored. Now imagine that same scenario and being trans. This is one of the reasons I created TransLash Media, so that members of our community could have a platform where they would always be heard.

Gigi Spelsberg is a German actress, model and host of a party series for trans people in Kreuzberg, Berlin.

What professional obstacles have you had to overcome as a trans person?

I had to overcome fear. Many people still haven't met a T* person in their personal lives yet therefore I still feel pressured sometimes going into meetings. Trans* and xenophobia is a real issue that Trans* people are facing on a daily basis. The T* community has long been underrepresented in the movie and fashion industry but society is evolving and things have accelerated towards a new normal. It was really difficult in the beginning navigating on my own and I'm very grateful being represented by my agents (both women!) who carefully got me into great casting opportunities.

What are the most urgent issues facing trans people in Germany?

Trans rights are human rights. The right of self determination is long overdue in Germany and globally-a rapid and fluid bureaucracy in regards of name and pronoun change is mandatory. Banning all laws and terms in regards to gender transition. Easy access to HRT (hormonal therapy) and affirming surgeries.
Is there a particular organisation you think is doing important work right now?
The Marsha P Johnson Institute and their fundraising campaigns.

Satsuki Nakayama is a Japanese model and actor.

How has your personal style evolved since you became more vocal about your identity?

I used to wear lots of men's clothes and didn't really show my skin, like I would put on a long shirt to cover my arms in summer. Since I've started transitioning, I wear a t-shirt any time I want. It's not so much of 'pulling off a masculine style' anymore, but more natural to wear men's fashion for me now.

What professional obstacles have you had to overcome as a trans person?

I started to work more with cis male actors. It's not easy to be completely comfortable with that, but I enjoy doing it. Because I don't want to be 'The Transgender,' I want to be seen as a man.

We are not only dealing with transsexuality when we talk about genders. There are more issues out here. I was fortunate enough to have an accepting environment around me, so I haven't gone through a lot. We need more understanding from the surroundings. Even if transgender doesn't make sense to you, I think we all know how to be aware of and show empathy for each other.
How has your personal style evolved since you became more vocal about your identity?

When I started to question who Mauro is, I also started to question why I wear what I wear and what I want to project with the way I dress. My style has been changing and I am constantly thinking about how I can be masculine without having to replicate these behaviours and toxic choices.
What are the most urgent issues facing trans people in Mexico?
The shortage of medicines is a critical problem. The majority of trans people in Mexico do not have the economic resources to buy their medicines in private pharmacies, since they are very expensive and unfortunately our health insurance does not cover our hormones. And not least, the fact that they are killing us and there are no laws to defend us and protect us from the dangers that come with being a trans person in Mexico, especially when talking about my trans sisters. Hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community are never heard or taken into account and this must stop.
What's an organisation that is doing important work right now?
There are many worth mentioning, such as Refugio Casa Frida and LLECA, which provides shelter and support to migrant LGBTQ+ people from all over the world. Vida Alegre Shelter provides support and shelter to elderly LGBTQ+ people living on the streets-they are a sector that is under the shadow and need the most support and visibility to lead a dignified and accompanied old age. There is also Casa Hogar Paola Buenrostro and Casa de las Muñecas Tiresias, both run by Kenya Cuevas, a trans woman sex worker who has managed to motivate hundreds of LGBTQ+ people who live with HIV and find themselves on the streets to overcome the situations that they have gone through to seek a better future.

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11 artists and activists on the state of trans rights around the globe

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From American designer Willie Norris to Indian doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju to British writer Paris Lees, GQ celebrates influential trans creators Across the globe, trans rights are on the frontline of human rights.

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Non-Binary Inclusion in Sports | PBS LearningMedia

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Be sure to preview this material and check your state and local regulations before using this content with your students. This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

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The Intersection of Religion and LGBTQ Identity

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The Intersection of Religion and LGBTQ Identity

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The Intersection of Religion and LGBTQ Identity | PBS LearningMedia

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Be sure to preview this material and check your state and local regulations before using this content with your students. This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

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If you would like to contact the You, Me, Story! Team, please email hello@globallearninglondon.org

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Comprehensive list of organisations by Mind

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Comprehensive list of organisations by Mind

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Gives information about mental health support for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer or questioning (LGBTIQ+).

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Youth and Communities Services

Coronavirus
We offer both online AND in person youth group sessions.
A full calendar of online youth groups can be found here. Please contact us on [email protected] if you need to talk to a youth worker.

Youth Groups for Young Trans and Gender Variant People

Gendered Intelligence run trans youth groups in London, Leeds and online for a range of ages from 7 to 30. We also run groups specifically for young trans people of colour and transfeminine young people, as well as extra projects such as a swimming group, Nature Connections and Youth Board.

Our youth groups are open to all young trans people, no matter how you identify or whether you are questioning your gender. We use trans as an umbrealla term and are fully inclusive of non-binary individuals; please don't worry about not feeling 'trans enough'.

There is no fee to access our youth groups. We can reimburse travel for at least £7 per person at every session if the cost of travel would prevent you from getting to the groups.

At the youth groups you can:

Meet other young trans, transgender, non-binary or gender questioning people, socialise, make friends, have fun and get some support

Find out information about coming out / disclosing, transitioning, your rights as a trans child, teenager or young adult, how to negotiate life post-transition, and more

Have a safe and supportive space to explore your gender identity if you're questioning, be yourself if you're not out, or have an opportunity to chat about trans stuff.

Online Youth Groups

We are currently running youth groups online alongside ourin person sessions.

Please email [email protected] with the subject 'ONLINE YOUTH GROUPS'. Include your name, age, whereabouts you live in the country and if you are ok with being contacted by phone, by a GI youth worker. A worker will arrange a time to call or text you. This is an initial check-in and find out your needs for being involved. You don't have to send any details at first if you just want to ask us a question. If you don't want to speak on the phone we can email back and forward with you to assess your needs. Once you have spoken with us and shared your membership details, you will then be added to the mailing list so you can join the next online session.

Then what? The lead youth worker will then send you and email with a link to the online space.

These are trying times, but as trans people our community is familiar with overcoming challenges and we will adapt. If you're a young trans person, please know that we have no intentions of leaving you to face the times ahead without support - we will continue to support you for as long as we can. If you're worried about how things are, or concerned about your well-being or safety if you need to isolate, let us know and we will do what we can to support you.

Camps/Residentials

Applications for Camp 2022 are now closed! We have been overwhelmed by the number of applications we have received for this years camp so have had to close booking early. Find out more information here

Calendar

Working Agreement

Check out the working agreement for our Youth Groups

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Youth and Communities Services We offer both online AND in person youth group sessions. A full calendar of online youth groups can be found here. Please contact us on [email protected] if you need to talk to a youth worker. Gendered Intelligence run trans youth groups in London, Leeds and online for a range of ages from 7 to 30.

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Please click here to access the PDF version of the You, Me, Story Learning Guide.

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Please click here to access the PDF version of the You, Me, Story Learning Guide.

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The content in this padlet is organised by sections, following the structure of the guide.

Please see the column header for the section name and page.

We have also included opportunities to continue learning on columns next to each section.

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This guide, created by Amélie Lamont, will  help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally. 

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This guide, created by Amélie Lamont, will  help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally. 

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https://guidetoallyship.com/