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This website specifically helps families understand the usages of pronouns at home. It highlights the importance of pronoun usage and etiquette as a means of inclusive behavior at home.

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A pronoun is a word used to refer to either the people who are tallking (like "I" or "you") or a person being talked about in the third person (like "she/her," "he/him," and "they/them"). Since some pronouns are gendered ("she/her" and "he/him"), it is important to be intentional about the way we use pronouns as we all work to create as inclusive an environment as possible. This document outlines why pronouns matter, some tips on pronoun etiquette, and a chart offering examples of pronouns in use.
Download the All Children - All Families Pronouns 101 Guide Here

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All Children - All Families: Pronouns 101 | Human Rights Campaign

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A pronoun is a word used to refer to either the people who are tallking (like "I" or "you") or a person being talked about in the third person (like "she/her," "he/him," and "they/them"). Since some pronouns are gendered ("she/her" and "he/him"), it is important to be intentional about the way we use pronouns as we all work to create as inclusive an environment as possible.

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How Teachers Can Support Transgender Students

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How Teachers Can Support Transgender Students

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This website provides teachers with simple and effective techniques that can ensure a more inclusive environment in their classrooms.

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While the average secondary school will have enough lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students to make up two full classes, 90% of primary and secondary teachers and non-teaching staff report having had no training to support LGBT students, according to Stonewall. For many teachers, it can be a struggle to know how best to support students, especially when there are no policies and procedures in place.

Teachers can use these relatively simple techniques to ensure a basic level of inclusion and care for transgender students in their classroom:

Challenge your assumptions

Commonly heard among staff is, "We've not got any trans students here" - unaware that many transgender students are not out. Class teachers aren't unusually informed about students who transition early - puberty blockers are often prescribed, stopping hormones from developing secondary sex characteristics. Other students may not wish to come out, or only come out selectively. For many students, however, the lack of information about transgender issues and identities can leave them without the language to explain their feelings.

It's important teachers create a safe environment for transgender students, whether or not we are aware of trans individuals in our schools. This enables questioning students to explore their gender and sends a message of acceptance to all students.

Scrap boy-girl seating plans

Students often report that boy-girl seating is the most frequent cause of stress. For non-binary students (those who identify as neither male nor female), such arrangements erase their gender entirely. As Sam*, a year 11 pupil, says: "Every time we're told something like, 'two boys, two girls' in a group, I know it means I have to pretend I'm a girl or get in trouble. It just reminds me no one sees me as I am."

Once you know your class, seating students according to subject ability, target or current grades, or to manage behaviour is relatively straightforward. Until then, ask students to sit next to someone they don't know, by birthday or in alphabetical order. Seating plans can also be used to reduce bullying, including transphobic bullying, by seating vulnerable students with compassionate peers.

Recognise and challenge transphobia

Many schools are now adept at tackling the ubiquitous microaggression, "That's so gay!" Yet we are less skilled at challenging - or even identifying - transphobia. Most common is students misgendering one another as "banter". More typical among boys, this has roots in casual misogyny and can be devastating for young trans students.

Messages from the media infiltrate quickly and students are often exposed to transphobia without realising it. With popular shows like RuPaul's Drag Race, and the poor media reporting on transgender celebrities, such as DJ Stephanie Hirst, students are sent the message that such attitudes are acceptable - even funny.

The key is in educating students as to why this is harmful. I've found that the simplest method is by far the most effective: assume ignorance rather than bigotry and explain why it is offensive. I usually start off by saying, "I know you probably don't mean it this way, but..." and finish off by saying, "so make sure you are presenting your views accurately." Once explained, adopt a zero-tolerance policy on future transphobia. As with all forms of behaviour management, consistency is key: challenge each and every time. It won't take long for the message to sink in that you don't permit transphobic remarks in your classroom, thus creating a safer environment for trans students.

What's in a name?

It's important to honour students' choices of name - for trans students, this sends the important message that you accept their identities unfailingly. In the trans community, one's birth name is known as a "dead name" and should not be used.

It's useful to keep up-to-date seating plans and registers for cover staff. Some registration programmes allow you to list students' preferred names and, as many young trans people may not have had the opportunity to change their names legally, it's crucial to use this where possible.

Ensure safe spaces for trans students

Bathroom access for trans students can be fraught - one study shows that bathrooms, as one of the few spaces unmonitored by staff, are a key location for bullying. While bullies should always be called to account, an additional way to provide students with safe bathroom access is to let them leave the room as their classmates pack away.

Hearing about transgender people in lessons can provide trans and cisgender students alike with role models. ICT classes, for example, might look at the work of pioneer Lynn Conway, and English teachers could use writer Janet Mock's work for non-fiction units. Drama and media classes might look at Laverne Cox's roles. Libraries may wish to stock books which feature transgender protagonists.

Visual spaces can also be used: students can create their own posters, several of Rainbow Teaching's lesson resources can be printed for display, and youth trans organisations often have relevant material to indicate that your classroom is a safe and accepting space.

*Name has been changed to protect students identity.
* Allie George writes under a pseudonym.
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Topics

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How teachers can support transgender students

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While the average secondary school will have enough lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students to make up two full classes, 90% of primary and secondary teachers and non-teaching staff report having had no training to support LGBT students, according to Stonewall.

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This website provides online resources and contact information for transgender people in criss. It also offers multiple transgender organizations and programs.

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GLAAD - GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance.

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Transgender Resources Resources for Transgender PeopleTransgender people in crisis should contact the following resources:The Trevor Project's 24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or TrevorChat, their online instant messaging option, or TrevorText, a text-based support option.

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An umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identify differs from the sex they were given at birth. Their identity is not based on biological or physical factors, but is entirely based on self identity.

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+External portrayals of opposite gender. This can be expressed through the person's name, pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, and/or body characteristics.

+Cross Dressing: wearing clothes that are typically worn by opposite gender)
+Transsexual: people who willingly change their physical sex through hormones and/or surgery.
+Genderqueer: a term used for people who identify their gender as falling outside the conventional binary definitions of “male” and “female.”

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How can teachers accommodate for transgender students?

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How can teachers accommodate for transgender students?

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+Be respectful & nonjudgemental. Students should feel safe when talking to their teachers. Put all assumptions and judgements aside and focus on providing the student with educational support.

+Honor student's choice of names and pronouns. Teachers can avoid titles such as "Mr." or "Mrs." When taking attendance, teachers may use last names or ask students beforehand their pronoun preference.

+Recognize and challenge transphobia. Understand that most of the bullying takes place in school bathrooms. Be aware of any harassment that might take place in or out of the classroom and address this headstrong.

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This website educates parents and family members about gender diversity. It provides a collection of personal stories and resources that may better equip guardians if their child identifies as transgender.

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The Transgender Training Institute provides training and consultation services for the benefit of transgender communities. They provide professional development trainings, program evaluation, curriculum design, and more.

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Supporting Transgender Individuals & Communities Through Excellence in Training & Consulting

The Transgender Training Institute (TTI) provides national training and consulting services that are informed/provided by transgender and non-binary people, for the benefit of transgender and non-binary communities. We work across the United States, providing services including: expert facilitation of transgender-related professional development trainings, training of trainers/facilitators (TOTs), ally skill building seminars and keynote speaking. We combine our topical expertise, formal training as educators, and decades of facilitation experience to provide your participants with powerful professional development and personal growth trainings that inspire change. We also provide support with curriculum design and review, climate assessments, program evaluation, online courses, capacity building, and technical assistance.

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The Transgender Training Institute (TTI) provides training and consulting services that are informed/provided by transgender and non-binary people, for the benefit of transgender and non-binary individuals and communities. TTI provides professional development and personal growth trainings that engage, inspire, and empower our participants.

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Project THRIVE is a human rights campaign that strives to create a more inclusive and equitable support system for LGBTQ people. They equip professionals with the tools and resources to help this community thrive academically and socially.

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Project THRIVE is a multi-year national campaign to create more equitable, inclusive support systems and communities for LGBTQ youth. Project THRIVE will build the skills and capacities of all youth-serving professionals to better meet the needs of LGBTQ young people.

Project THRIVE is a collaborative effort of many national organizations, each committed to identifying opportunities within their own sphere of incluence to increase awareness about and provide resources to address the unmet needs of LGBTQ youth, and to highlight best practices and success stories from their respective professional fields.

Every organization that is part of Project THRIVE has a unique role to play in strengthening family permanence and support, improving health and well-being, increasing school connection and building a foundation of resilience so that all LGBTQ youth can thrive. Project THRIVE is committed to an intersectional approach in the work, and to ensuring that LGBTQ youth of color and those who are system-involved or have a history of homelessness are a priority focus.

The core goals of Project THRIVE include:

Actively promoting well-being for LGBTQ youth within all youth-serving professions (e.g. education, child welfare, juvenile justice, health care, homelessness)

Providing all youth-serving professionals with the tools, resources and training they need to support and affirm LGBTQ youth, in particular LGBTQ youth of color and youth who have a history of system involvement

Increasing the proportion of LGBTQ youth experiencing permanent, supportive connections with caring adults and family networks

Reducing the significant disparities in mental and physical health outcomes among LGBTQ youth

Improving school safety and inclusion so LGBTQ students can suceed and thrive academically and socially

This show of force across professions supported by leaders from the nation's largest health, education, child welfare, legal and juvenile justice organizations is aimed at consolidating work to address with singular focus the persistent challenges and barriers that not only prevent LGBTQ young people from thriving, but continue to compromise their health and safety.
Sign On to Join Project THRIVE
Partner Organizations

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Project THRIVE is a multi-year national campaign to create more equitable, inclusive support systems and communities for LGBTQ youth. Project THRIVE will build the skills and capacities of all youth-serving professionals to better meet the needs of LGBTQ young people.