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Exploring Gender Diversity: Implications for School Settings

Exploring Gender Diversity: Implications for School Settings. NAIS 2014 Presented by Dr. JoAnn Deak and Sandra Luna. Julia Morgan School for Girls and the journey towards gender inclusion. 2011: Application from a self-identified transgirl 2012: Think Tank assembled with

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Exploring Gender Diversity: Implications for School Settings

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  1. Exploring Gender Diversity: Implications for School Settings NAIS 2014 Presented by Dr. JoAnn Deak and Sandra Luna

  2. Julia Morgan School for Girlsand the journey towards gender inclusion • 2011: Application from a self-identified transgirl • 2012: Think Tank assembled with • JoAnn Deak, Ph.D. • Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D. • Simone Marean, E.D., Girls Leadership Institute • Shannon Minter, J.D., National Center for Lesbian Rights • Heads and representatives from Girls Middle School, Seattle Girls School, East Bay School for Boys, Pluralistic School One, and JMSG • Today: Education, examples, enrollment

  3. Why the Think Tankand Why this Workshop • Develop awareness about gender and gender diverse children and teens • Understand various medical, legal, psychological, and educational issues associated with gender diverse children and teens • Surface questions related to the needs of gender diverse children and teens in school settings • Identify resources that will inform decisions about policy, pedagogy, and community engagement • Establish a community of colleagues for ongoing dialogue and support

  4. Emerging Understandings of Genderand Gender Diverse Children and Teens • The Complexity of Gender • Dimensions of Gender • Gender and Culture • Reflecting on our own experiences of gender

  5. Emerging Understandings of Genderand Gender Diverse Children and Teens • Definitions: • Assigned gender/biological/anatomical sex, binary • Gender normative, cisgender • Gender identity/affirmed gender, transgender • Gender expression • Gender nonconforming/gender variant/gender diversity • Gender fluidity • Gender queer • Gender spectrum • Sexual orientation • Gender transition: internal, social, medical

  6. Medical, Legal, Psychological, and Educational Issues • Gender and Medical Considerations • Typical questions and issues faced by transgender chlidren and teens and their families/caregivers • Hormone blockers • Cross-sex hormones • Surgery

  7. Medical, Legal, Psychological, and Educational Issues • Gender and Mental Health • What are some of the developmental issues related to gender? • What resources and support within the school community might be needed? • Gender Dysphoria diagnosis, GID • Depression, self-harm

  8. Medical, Legal, Psychological, and Educational Issues • Gender and the Law • Evolving federal protections • Equal protection clause of 14th Amendment; 1st Amendment • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act • Title IX impacts schools that receive federal funds but suggested that it represents a baseline of care for all schools • Equal Access Act

  9. Medical, Legal, Psychological, and Educational Issues • Gender and the Law • State protections • California Assembly Bill 1266 • Massachusetts and Colorado have statewide policies in line with AB 1266 • Colorado and Maine statewide human rights commissions have held that state laws require schools to respect students’ gender identity • Many school districts, including Los Angeles Unified, have adopted similar policies • Employment: 15 states, DC, and 143 localities prohibit discrimination on basis of gender identity or expression

  10. Medical, Legal, Psychological, and Educational Issues • Harassment and Hostility • Addressing Bullying and Discrimination in Schools • Overarching question of gender and gender independent children and teens in schools • Privacy: Gender neutral bathrooms, locker rooms • Athletics • Sleeping accommodations for overnights

  11. Towards Gender Inclusion • “Entry Points”: More than accommodations • Overarching and comprehensive • Aim for authentic understanding and respect • It is about being ready: education, education, education… of faculty, staff, students, parents, board

  12. Towards Gender Inclusion • Personal Entry Points • Individual educator’s understanding of gender and beliefs based on critical reflection • How do these concepts of gender map onto your experience at your school? • What questions does it raise for you in the context of education? • Can you consider a non-binary concept of gender?

  13. Towards Gender Inclusion • Structural Entry Points • Institutional steps creating a foundation for gender inclusive practices • Policies/administrative regulationsprotecting gender diversity • Model policies created by California Safe Schools Coalition, Gender Spectrum • Systematic training of faculty and staff • Written materials and information about gender diversity • Signage/visuals celebrating gender diversity

  14. Towards Gender Inclusion • Structural Entry Points • Institutional steps creating a foundation for gender inclusive practices • Student information systems allowing families to self-identify their gender and preferred names and pronouns • Procedures/forms that reflect a non-binary understanding of gender • Restrooms/facilities that provide options for privacy without stigmatizing students • Evaluate dress codes so they are respectful for all along the gender spectrum

  15. Towards Gender Inclusion • Interpersonal Entry Points • Individual interactions and communications that reinforce the school’s commitment to gender inclusion • Language challenging binary concept • Help students understand the difference between patterns and rules

  16. Towards Gender Inclusion • Instructional Entry Points • Opportunities for faculty, staff, students, parents, and the board

  17. Questions and Concerns • What are some of the questions and concerns we have related to addressing the needs of transgender and gender independent students in school settings?

  18. Online Resources • Gender Spectrum, www.genderspectrum.org • National Center for Transgender Equality, www.nctequality.org • National Center for Lesbian Rights, www.nclrights.org • Transgender Law and Policy Institute, www.transgenderlaw.org • American Civil Liberties Union, www.aclu.org/translaw • Medical Care for Gender Variant Children and Young People: Answer Families’ Questions, National Health Service, www.gires.org.uk/sexologies.php • RHO Fact Sheet: Supporting Gender Independent Children and Their Families, www.rainbowhealthontario.ca

  19. Other Resources • The Transgender Child by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper • Gender Born Gender Made by Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D. • Transgender Rights by Paisley Currah • NAIS Trendbook2013-2014, “Equity and Justice Outlook: Gender Identity and Expression,” pp 88-95. • Contact Sandra Luna Head of School at Julia Morgan School for Girls sluna@juliamorganschool.org (510) 632-6000 x128 5000 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94613

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