Information for
School Administrators and Educators
Here's What We Do...
"During the late winter of this school year I was contacted by an elementary school principal informing me that the parents of a primary grade student were preparing to assist their child in making a gender transition. Prior to that time we had no experience with transgender issues at the elementary school level. These parents referred us to Kim Pearson as a person who might be able to help us better understand the challenges faced by their family.
One phone call to Ms. Pearson led to a conference call including several district officials. We were unanimous in our belief that Kim was indeed a person with whom we could do business. Several comments made by Kim during these phone calls inspired our confidence, not the least of which was, 'Our goal is to keep your school district out of the national media.' "
(Continue reading this letter) (Read letters from others who have worked with TYFA)
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| TransYouth Family Allies Resource Documents |
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Although it is uncommon for the media to become aware of a gender variant student, it does happen on occasion. Based on our experience with schools all over the United States, TYFA recommends having in place a plan that includes the following guidelines to assist in minimizing any adverse effects that media attention could have on the learning environment at your school.
Understanding Through Education, K-12
A TYFA Workshop
TransYouth Family Allies is the only National non-profit organization that educates and advocates exclusively for gender variant children and transgender youth. As such, we have unparalleled expertise and experience to draw on when partnering with educational institutions. We have worked with hundreds of schools and organizations, in every type of political climate, all over the United States. This extensive experience allows us to anticipate many of your concerns and to effectively address those that will come up due to your unique environment.
Questions Frequently Asked by Educators
A Schools Guide to Protecting the Privacy Rights
of Gender Variant Students
> Note: This document is intended to be used in conjunction with “Understanding Through Education” workshops provided by a TransYouth Family Allies facilitator.
Frequently Asked Questions
This documents is a compliation of questions and answers frequently asked by parents, educators and practioners.
This document is an introduction to language used when discussing the topic of gender variant and transgender children.
How Young Is Too Young
Written by TYFA Advisory Board Member, Reid Vanderburgh, MA this piece addresses the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation as well as the joys and challenges of childhood gender transition.
Difference isn’t wrong…it just is
Excellent introduction to gender variant and transgender children and their families. Feature article by TYFA Executive Director, Kim Pearson, published in The Bottom Line (San Diego, CA), November 2, 2007.
he Ian Benson Project and Amethyst Ribbon Campaign
This is a TYFA program under development which addresses harm reducation and suicide reduction/prevension.
| Other Resource Documents: |
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| These resource articles have been published by various authors and are provided here for your convenience. Please print as posted here and give credit to the original source/author.
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GLSEN’s fifth biennial National School Climate Survey (NSCS, 2007)
This is the only national survey concerning the school experiences of students who identify as LGBT, show that issues of sexual orientation and gender identity remain a very big deal in our schools, This comprehensive 174-page document demonstrates the urgent need for the education of school administrators nationwide. (10-10-2008)
WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health)
The WPATH
Board Committee on Public Policy, Advocacy & Liason has issued a very important statement which lays a strong foundation for removing exclusions for medically necessary health care treatment and insurance coverage for transgender children and adults. (July 18, 2008)
AMA House of Delegates
At the 2008 AMA Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates, several items of importance to GLBT persons were approved. Among these was Resolution 122, "Removing Financial Barriers to Care for Transgender Patients..." In addition, physicians are encouraged to post the AMA Non-Discrimination policy prominently in their offices.
American Academy of Pediatrics
This document is excerpted from “Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5-12", Bantam 1999. It was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and briefly illustrates that by age 4, children’s gender identity is stable, and they know they will always be a boy or a girl
To the Beat of a Different Drummer
Source: Contemporary Pediatrics, By: Ellen C. Perrin, MD, Edgardo J. Menvielle, MD, Catherine Tuerk, MA, RN
“A child who is truly ‘gender-variant’ is one who exhibits an ongoing pattern of behavior, not merely a passing interest in the clothes or the preoccupations of the opposite sex.