Post 11: Gender Identity

 

Guidance for Rhode Island Schools on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students

Argument:

This guide for RI schools is grounded in the belief that students cannot thrive socially or academically if they do not feel safe. Our job as educators is to create an environment that welcomes all students and fosters acceptance. The Journal of Adolescent Health reports, “...transgender youth were more likely to report: being diagnosed with depression compared with students who were not transgender (50.6% vs. 20.6%); suffering from anxiety (26.7% vs. 10% ); attempting suicide (17.2% vs. 6.1% ); and engaging in self-harm activities with lethal intentions (16.7% vs. 4.4%)”. These statistics are alarming to hear, but serve as a call to action and a reminder of just how serious this topic can become. 

This guide does a great job breaking down the RI laws and polices in place to protect gender non-conforming students from discrimination, such as Title IX. These protections include inclusion in sex-segregated environments/activities such as locker rooms, bathrooms, and sports teams, depending on a student's gender identity. The guide also includes a section defining relevant terms regarding gender identity for those who may be less familiar with the topic. 

I especially appreciated the section discussing the protection of children's privacy according to FERPA. When students are having trouble at school, especially when bullying is involved, parents are an important point of contact. However, before talking with parents, it's important to assess a student's environment at home to ensure their safety. Not every household is as accepting as others, so how students express themselves at school may not match how they express themselves at home. It’s crucial to have a conversation with the student before talking with parents to ensure their privacy and well-being are protected.

Unfortunately, kids can be mean when they don’t understand something or when something is different from what they know. Storybooks that spread a message of acceptance, such as It Feels Good to Be Yourself, are useful tools in preventing bullying. 

Reflection: 

As someone who struggled with mental health in my teenage years, I know how all-consuming and isolating those feelings can be. It's incredibly difficult to focus on things like school while trying to put out your own fires. However, I was never bullied or felt unsafe in school. I can’t fathom how anyone, at such a young age, copes with all of that at once.  

This website offers several relevant resources for educators: https://glisten.org/resources/