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The National Association of School Psychologists has just issued a position paper on dealing with transgender students. We have it available on PDF format. --->
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Children are identifying as LGBTQ at increasingly earlier ages. Children may have siblings, friends, or parents who identify as LGBTQ. Many are unsure and questioning. It has fallen upon elementary, middle, and high schools to welcome, affirm, and provide support for these children. This cannot be done if schools turn a blind eye when faced with LGBTQ issues. LGBTQ issues are community issues.
We hope to establish a diaglog between teachers, administrators, counsellors, parents, and school psychologists in which we can share ideas, resources, and concerns. Please share with us what you and your school are doing to promote and provide service for your LGBTQ community. Do you have support groups? Does your school have a Gay/Straight Alliance Chapter? Is there inservicing for your staff? Would you like to get together with others to discuss this? Click here to contact us.
The transgender and gender nonconforming child needs a safe environment in which to thrive. They need parents/guardians, schools, friends, and those in helping professions to be advocates. If you find yourself in a position where you are dealing with such a child make sure that you get advice from a profession who is familiar with these issues. It may mean contacting someone in a city in your state or on the east or west coast. The Gender Spectrum Organization is a good place to start. It is common for parents and advocates to travel large distances and sometimes even relocate, in order to help their child. It is so important to let the child know that they are loved and that it's ok for them to be who they are.
One word of warning: when you hear someone suggesting that the child should be discouraged from expressing their true selves (eg. taking away a doll a boy is playing with or making them conform to traditional gender standards) know that the child is being hurt by this. They are being punished for being who they are. Seek advice/counseling elsewhere.
The question has been raised, "Are there any books for children that deal with having transgendered parents?" Here's one that's available.. Carly: She’s Still My Daddy, by Mary Boenke. Illus. by Dolores Dudley. 2004. PFLAG/TNET. (Available from Two
Lives Publishing.) This booklet, written from a child’s point of view, is about a father’s transition from Carl to Carly. This is the only early elementary text for children that we have found on a transgender family.
Wisconsin Gazette reported recently that last year Wisconsin had 143 active GSAs in high schools and middle schools which means that about one in three districts have GSAs. Two goals this year is to expand the number of GSAs and to establish safe zones at schools. This year GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) is making available safe-space kits costing $20 for any middle or high school in the country. The National Education Association is also focused on educational and social justice for the 2012-13 year. At the federal level, HR-998, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, would prohibit discrimination in public schools based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.
For the record, Wisconsin law bans discrimination and harassment based on real of percieived sexual-based orientation but not based on gender identity or expression, nor are transgenders included in its hate-crime laws.
We urge you to consider establishing a GSA in your school and establishing safe-zones. Links are below
GSA link
GLSEN link
The Gay Straight Alliance has a nice website for things you can do for TDOR (Transgender Day of Remembrance) on Nov. 20. Here's their link: Click Here
Daily Kos has posted a rather large list of LGBTQ childrens books. Here's the link: Childrens' Books
Don't forget to check out our Parent's pages for insights and resources.
We hope to establish a diaglog between teachers, administrators, counsellors, parents, and school psychologists in which we can share ideas, resources, and concerns. Please share with us what you and your school are doing to promote and provide service for your LGBTQ community. Do you have support groups? Does your school have a Gay/Straight Alliance Chapter? Is there inservicing for your staff? Would you like to get together with others to discuss this? Click here to contact us.
The transgender and gender nonconforming child needs a safe environment in which to thrive. They need parents/guardians, schools, friends, and those in helping professions to be advocates. If you find yourself in a position where you are dealing with such a child make sure that you get advice from a profession who is familiar with these issues. It may mean contacting someone in a city in your state or on the east or west coast. The Gender Spectrum Organization is a good place to start. It is common for parents and advocates to travel large distances and sometimes even relocate, in order to help their child. It is so important to let the child know that they are loved and that it's ok for them to be who they are.
One word of warning: when you hear someone suggesting that the child should be discouraged from expressing their true selves (eg. taking away a doll a boy is playing with or making them conform to traditional gender standards) know that the child is being hurt by this. They are being punished for being who they are. Seek advice/counseling elsewhere.
The question has been raised, "Are there any books for children that deal with having transgendered parents?" Here's one that's available.. Carly: She’s Still My Daddy, by Mary Boenke. Illus. by Dolores Dudley. 2004. PFLAG/TNET. (Available from Two
Lives Publishing.) This booklet, written from a child’s point of view, is about a father’s transition from Carl to Carly. This is the only early elementary text for children that we have found on a transgender family.
Wisconsin Gazette reported recently that last year Wisconsin had 143 active GSAs in high schools and middle schools which means that about one in three districts have GSAs. Two goals this year is to expand the number of GSAs and to establish safe zones at schools. This year GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) is making available safe-space kits costing $20 for any middle or high school in the country. The National Education Association is also focused on educational and social justice for the 2012-13 year. At the federal level, HR-998, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, would prohibit discrimination in public schools based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.
For the record, Wisconsin law bans discrimination and harassment based on real of percieived sexual-based orientation but not based on gender identity or expression, nor are transgenders included in its hate-crime laws.
We urge you to consider establishing a GSA in your school and establishing safe-zones. Links are below
GSA link
GLSEN link
The Gay Straight Alliance has a nice website for things you can do for TDOR (Transgender Day of Remembrance) on Nov. 20. Here's their link: Click Here
Daily Kos has posted a rather large list of LGBTQ childrens books. Here's the link: Childrens' Books
Don't forget to check out our Parent's pages for insights and resources.