Beyond the Binary: Discussing Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Identity in K-12 Schools

Why Should We Teach Children About Transgender People and Issues?

In order to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all students, it is important to discuss transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary identities and topics in schools and classrooms. Gender identity is a significant aspect of identity and the human condition and there have been transgender and non-binary people since ancient civilization. As educators, it is important that we help young people understand and accept the diversity of our world and acknowledge that everyone deserves to be their authentic selves.

It is also important for educators because bullying and harassment of all kinds disproportionately impact LGBTQ students and in particular, gender non-conforming students in the younger grades and transgender and non-binary students in the older grades.

Effects of Bullying and Harassment of Elementary Students

In the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) survey, Playgrounds and Prejudice: Elementary School Climate in the United States, they report that elementary students who do not conform to traditional gender norms are more likely than others to say they are:

• 56% vs. 33% called names, made fun of or bullied in school.
• 42% vs. 61% less likely to feel very safe at school.
• 35% vs. 15% likely to report that they sometimes do not want to go to school because they feel unsafe or afraid there.

Effects of Bullying and Harassment of Older Students

For older students who are transgender, GLSEN’s Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation's Schools reports:

• 90% of transgender students heard derogatory remarks (homophobic language and negative remarks about gender expression) sometimes, often or frequently in school
• 90% of transgender students heard negative remarks about someone’s gender; expression sometimes, often, or frequently in school;
• 89% of transgender students are verbally harassed (called names or threatened) in school;
• 55% of transgender students have been physically harassed (pushed or shoved) in school; and
• almost half of all transgender students have skipped a class or a day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable.

Legislation and School Policies to Make Schools Safe and Inclusive for Transgender Students

Increasingly, schools are working to protect transgender students from harassment and discrimination. The ACLU publication Know Your Rights: A Guide for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Students, which is updated regularly. It includes relevant local, state and federal laws; your First Amendment rights; information about important items such as clothing, school events, transitioning, your name/pronoun use, privacy, sports, locker rooms/restrooms, etc. Some states have laws and/or policies specifically protecting transgender students in public schools from harassment and/or discrimination and several states also have more general laws that ban bullying and harassment of any sort but don’t specifically mention gender identity.

The best and most comprehensive laws, policies and guidelines focus on three areas: (1) harassment and bullying of transgender and gender non-conforming students, (2) addressing gender-segregated spaces in school such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and line formations, and (3) dealing with records and rules such as names/pronouns, official records, identification, privacy and dress codes. 

Find out if your school, district or state has such a policy and if not, work to institute one. GLSEN and NCTE have published a Model District Policy on Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students that is useful to read.