latrobe.edu.au CRICOS Provider 00115M

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1 Gender affirming schools: Towards safe schools for gender diverse and transgender young people in Australia Dr. Elizabeth Smith Research Officer SHE / ARCSHS 13 th November 2015 latrobe.edu.au CRICOS Provider 00115M

2 Authors: Elizabeth Smith, Tiffany Jones,Roz War, Jen Dixon, Lynne Hillier and Anne Mitchell Funded by: beyondblue Photos: Minus 18 Kite design: Robyn latrobe.edu.au/arcshs 2

3 What does the research tell us about gender affirming schools? 3

4 Sexualities 4

5 Gender identities 01

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8 Support from teachers and inclusive policies For the majority of my schooling I was not "out". Though by the end of year 12 I was out to a number of staff members who did all they could to assist mein a period when my parents refused to allow me to transition or even to have contact with LGBTI support services of any kind. My teachers broke multiple rules to allow me to leave school without my parents permission for medical appointments. Despite this however, the school administration had policies that were directly inappropriate.when they found out that I was planning to attend the year 12 ball in a dress with a boy as my date I was strongly advised not to do it. (Woman, 20 years). 8

9 Highly visible gender affirmation For my last three years of high school I went to a selective public school so the culture there was brilliant with an amazing, accepting and diverse student body. Lot's of kids identified with different sexualities and genders and I felt for the most part my school did and would accommodate for them within reason. (Questioning, 17 years). 9

10 Respect for privacy and activism I am not completely out at my school however I am lucky enough to attend an incredibly accepting school. Those of my teachers (including executive staff) who are aware of it are incredibly accepting and respect my desire for privacy.furthermore, when I approached them to do some advocacy on Trans* issues on a LGBT activism event (the first at my school) the teachers running it where extremely supportive as was our acting principal at the time. While my school can be very conservatively Christian it is changing, becoming more tolerant with even the library recently buying LGBT themed books. (Trans, 17 years old). 10

11 Are experiences of gender affirmation at school on the rise? Age group Percent and number 18 years old and under 41% n=78 19 years old and above 59% n=111 TOTAL 100% n=189 11

12 Teachers generally using my correct name, pronouns, or identity 45 Mostly appropriate years and under 19 years and over Mostly appropriate Cramer's V =.218; P= <.05 12

13 Principals or leadership generally using my correct name, pronouns, or identity 40 Mostly appropriate years and under 19 years and over Mostly appropriate Cramer's V =.198; P= <.05 13

14 Respect for my desire for privacy around gender identity or transgender issues 40 Mostly appropriate years and under 19 years and over Mostly appropriate Cramer's V =.306; P=

15 Support for my attempts at activism around gender diversity, transgender or intersex issues 40 Mostly appropriate years and under 19 years and above Mostly appropriate Cramer's V =.269; P=<.01 15

16 My teachers -How supportive are these people or communities in your life? 70 Supportive years and under 19 years and over Supportive Cramer's V =.366; P=

17 Support from teachers and leadership Use of correct names, pronouns, and identity Highly visible gender affirmation of all students Respect for privacy Support for activism Inclusive policies 17

18 Thank you Elizabeth Smith Research Officer ARCSHS Ph: latrobe.edu.au CRICOS Provider 00115M