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Help Prevent Transphobic Bullying

Kay Nicholson

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Aim:

To provide you with information ...

which will give you understanding and confidence,

enable you to support Transgender people, and

help you to address and prevent Transphobic bullying

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‘Everyone is an insider, there are no outsiders – whatever their beliefs, whatever their colour, gender or sexuality.’

Archbishop Desmond Tutu February 2004

A ‘Trans’ spectrum

Trans is an abbreviation and umbrella term for a spectrum of people whose gender identity is different from their birth sex - Transgender.

It is also an abbreviation for Transsexual p erson.

(e.g. and only where necessary, transman/boy or transwoman/girl.)

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Trans People… Appear in every culture – not just a ‘Western Thing’. Have existed through recorded history. Cross all economic and class boundaries. Are both men and women. Are not ‘sick’ or ‘defective’ or ‘mentally ill –

‘Gender Dysphoria’ is a medical condition. Are simply part of natural variation. Want no more than to be themselves, in peace. Need the assistance of medicine to reach that goal.

Source:- Christine Burns MBE Past Vice President Press for Change.

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What is Transsexuality?

A persistent discomfort with the sex assigned to the person at birth; a deep sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex

A strong and ongoing desire to live and be accepted as the sex with which they

identify. A wish to have hormonal treatment, and possibly, surgery to make one’s body match one’s psychological sex

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This is not a mental illness but increasingly understood to have its origins before birth.

Research suggests that a small part of the baby’s brain progresses along a different pathway from the sex of the rest of its body.

(Source GIRES 2011)

What it is not ...

Recognising gender dysphoria

There are various clues that may point to gender dysphoria.

‘Mermaids’ provides information and support for families, teenagers and children with gender identity issues.

www.mermaidsuk.org.uk

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Evidence of transphobic bullying

Half of those born male who identify as female experience bullying

Two thirds of those born female who identify as male experience bullying.

Physical abuse and even unwanted sexual behaviours occur in a majority of reported cases.

Around a quarter of survey participants had been bullied by teachers.

Teachers who are trans had been bullied by staff and pupils. Source – Engendered Penalties. S.Whittle; S.Turner and M. Al-Alami.

Press for Change www.pfc.org.uk 9

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Children usually know how they fit within the gender spectrum by about age 4 or 5. Source – GIRES.

A quarter of transgender children have attempted suicide, and a further 25 per cent have considered suicide. Source – Transkids.

Why should schools take action?

A school with 1,000 pupils will have 6 who experience transgenderism during their lives.

Others are likely to have a transgender parent or relative.

Before puberty 60 out of 1,000 pupils are likely to experience same sex orientation that may be difficult to distinguish from gender dysphoria.

In a staff of 170 there may be one transgender person.

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When might transphobic bullying occur?

When a child shows signs of any identity confusion.

A child in the process of transitioning.

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Schoolboy, 12, turns into a girlA BOY aged 12 turned up at school as a GIRL — after changing sex during summer hols This was the Sept 2009 story

How can you prevent Transphobic bullying?Be prepared - have information about transsexuality

available, including specialist organisations.

Raise awareness - amongst staff and pupils.

Be observant - watch for any signs.

Prevent and protect: ensure that your anti-bullying policy incorporates all forms of

bullying

pupils and staff understand that transphobic bullying is included in the policy.

Remember you are not alone.13

Publications

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Home Office/Gires – ‘Transphobic Bullying –

Could you deal with it in your school?’ (2008) Available on www.gires.org.uk Department for Children, Schools and Families – ‘Guidance for schools on preventing and responding to sexist, sexual and transphobic bullying’. (2009) Available from DCSF

Publications, Nottingham. (Ref.01136-2009DOM-EN) Engendered Penalties. S.Whittle; S.Turner and M. Al-Alami. Press for Change www.pfc.org.uk

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Information and Support Mermaids – The main support group for gender variant children

and teenagers, and their families.BM Mermaids London. 0208 1234819 – Information line Monday

to Saturday 3pm to 7pm only. www.mermaidsuk.org.uk info@mermaids.org.uk

GIRES – Gender Identity, Research and Education Society. Our primary mission is to improve the circumstances in which trans people live, by changing the way that society treats them.

01375 801554 www.gires.org.uk admin@gires.org.uk

Transkids – Primarily for teachers in primary schools, but useful to secondary schools too.

www.transkids.synthasite.com

AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to the following who have kindly allowed us to

use their materials and supported us in this project.

GiresMermaidsTranskidsChristine Burns MBEEquality South West South West Transgender Equality NetworkPress for Change

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