Welcoming Transgender, Non-binary and Gender Creative Youth in our Schools

Description

Schools are increasingly called upon to support and integrate trans, non-binary and gender creative children and youth and to adapt to the needs of these populations and their families. The goal of this training is to offer tools to school personnel in order to not only better understand and respond to these children and youth, but also to support the expression of gender diversity throughout the school.

Objectives

1. Working from a developmental and trans-affirming perspective, participants will identify issues and challenges in integrating gender diverse students.
2. Support gender diverse students in the process of social transition.
3. Support school administration in the implementation of measures aimed at the proper integration of gender diverse students.

Content

1. Supporting gender diverse children and youth:

   • 0-6 years: Supporting exploration of gender creative expression and emerging gender identity:
   • Pre-puberty:
     • Supporting exploration of gender identity;
     • Supporting disclosure of gender identity (social transition):
     • Supporting non-disclosure of social transition;
     • Working with parents;
     • School’s responsibility to the child’s gender exploration and gender identity
   • Puberty:
     • Supporting the exploration of gender identity;
     • Managing potential crises brought on by puberty:
     • Support in the disclosure of gender identity (social transition):
     • Supporting non-disclosure of gender journey;
     • Working with parents;
     • When the parent is not supportive: School’s role and responsibilities to the student.

2. Adapting the environment to acknowledge and welcome gender diversity:

   • Questioning gender stereotypes: Elementary and high school
   • Management of gendered spaces (change rooms, bathrooms, etc.).

3. The Rights of children and youth in regards to gender expression and gender identity in Canadian school contexts

4. Welcoming gender diverse parents in school.