School Personnel Questions and Answers

Sometimes, questions or concerns may arise concerning the appropriateness of taking time to address issues of gender identity and gender expression in a school setting. Below are some common questions that address these concerns specific to transgender and gender non-conforming topics.

Q: Why are we spending time on gender identity topics?
What does it have to do with school?

One of the most common forms of verbal harassment and bullying at schools targets staff or students who are perceived to be gay... and the primary indicator of "perceived gayness" is gender non-conforming expression. The majority of students bullied for being gender non-conforming are heterosexual and cisgender (non-transgender). These slurs can escalate to physical violence. By addressing and ending verbal violence, we create safer schools for all students.

Q: Our students are from a variety of cultures. We just don’t hear this discussed at our school!

Just because we don't always hear the words used as insults regarding gender identity issues, it does not mean that students aren't using them. Inappropriate terms about transgender issues and gender non-conforming people exist in every language and culture. By addressing name calling generally, we teach students to respect differences that also include transgender and gender non-conforming persons.

Q: But this name calling is rare at our school. Besides, there are no gay kids at our school!

This is not about "gay" issues... gender identity is different from sexual orientation and develops, in general, much earlier.  Even if name calling is rare, it still occurs. It must be addressed to encourage respect for differences — and to prevent violence. Further, just because staff may not know of any transgender-identified students, it does not exclude their existence. Statistics indicate that 1:250 children born may be significantly gender non-conforming.  School sites must be safe for all students as well as parents, caregivers, other family members and staff.

Q: Younger children are too young to begin a discussion of gender identity issues!

All children have a sense of their own gender identity. For most, that gender identity corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth AND with society's expectations for a "boy" or a "girl". But not all children experience their gender in the same way. Children watch TV and movies that discuss, satirize, and ridicule gender non-conforming people. Our obligation as educators is to confront stereotypes and address inappropriate language to make schools safe for all students and families. These discussions are not about sex or sexual orientation, but about respect for the many different ways someone can be "a boy", "a girl" or some other form of gender expression altogether.

Q: But the parents at our school aren’t ready to be confronted with transgender topics.

All educational programs should be conducted without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The school community has a right to know that gender identity issues are being discussed in an attempt to create safe environments for all students. Further, parents/caregivers should be encouraged to participate in the educational process that addresses all verbal violence/slurs, including those that pertain to transgender children and youth.

This brings up the stereotype that because we are discussing transgender issues we are discussing sex. We are trying to make school climates safe for all students, including those who are gender non-conforming, identify as transgender or may be perceived by others to be gender non-conforming. This discussion has nothing to do with sex.

Q: But what about the religious beliefs of our families?

There exists a separation of church and state in the United States. One of our greatest freedoms allows people to believe whatever they want, and this includes religious beliefs. We teach students to respect differences that include transgender persons. This does not mean students are expected to like everyone who is different, but to respect the rights of others in our community. This does not infringe on any religious beliefs.

Q: Our students are just too young to know about this stuff.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children come to an awareness of their gender identity by the age of four. By giving students the opportunity to ask questions and seek answers, we affirm them in their search to understand their own gender identity and that of other students.

Q: There are so few transgender students. Other student issues are more pressing -- why not focus on them?

Transgender and gender non-conforming students cross all cultural, racial, and socio-economic boundaries. These young people are five times more likely to attempt suicide, and are nearly nine times more likely to be threatened or injured at school than are cisgender and gender conforming students.

Further, insults and slurs about "feminine" males or "masculine" females — or those who are perceived to be — are far more common than any other verbal attacks on school sites. It must be remembered that harassment cannot be tolerated on any level.