Creating a safe school environment for transgender students

1. CREATING A SAFE SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENT FOR
TRANSGENDER STUDENTS

2. Gender Ideology
○ Gender is the classification of one’s sex at birth based upon anatomy; male, female or
intersex.
○ Gender ideology is the concept that gender is fluid and not necessarily based upon
anatomy.
○ Gender identity: A person’s internal, deeply-felt sense of being a man, woman, both, or
neither. Gender Identity typically forms between 2 -5 years old.
○ Gender expression: How one outwardly presents their gender through dress, behavior,
mannerisms, hairstyle, etc. that are perceived as masculine or feminine. Most begin
expressing around 2-3yrs.

3. What is Transgender?
• Transgender people are people
who transcend the social roles
assigned at birth based on their
anatomical sex.
• The number of transgender people
is estimated to be <1% of the
population*
* National Transgender Discrimination Survey 2016

4. God created each person male or female;
therefore, sexual difference is not an accident or a
flaw—it is a gift from God that helps draw us closer
to each other and to God. What God has created is
good. "God created mankind in his image; in the
image of God he created them; male and female
he created them" (Gen 1:27).
*Created Male and Female: An Open Letter
from Religious Leaders USCCB, Signed by
Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Laity,
Marriage, Family Life and Youth
What Church Leaders Say
About Gender Ideology

5. The Science: What We Don’t Know
○ There are very few reliable statistics explaining
○ Why people are transgender
○ Who may identify as transgender
○ How many transgender people transition back to their birth sex
○ The research that does exist is limited, controversial, or skewed to fit specific political or
social agendas.

6. The Science: What We Do Know
Transgender people face discrimination and violence throughout society, from family,
teachers, classmates, doctors, judges, landlords, police officers, and more.
Outcomes of this discrimination are often devastating:
○ 41% of transgender people will attempt suicide
○ 40% of transgender people will suffer with anxiety
○ 50% of transgender people will suffer with depression
* National Transgender Discrimination Survey 2016

7. The Science: Improving Outcomes
Outcomes improve significantly when transgender youth are permitted to use their chosen
name at school, home, work & with friends:
○ 71 percent fewer symptoms of severe depression
○ 34 percent decrease in reported thoughts of suicide
○ 65 percent decrease in suicidal attempts
* University of Texas | Journal of Adolescent Health

8. HOW CAN WE MAKE
OUR SCHOOL SAFE?
RESPECT ALL STUDENTS. ACCEPT THEIR DIFFERENCES. UNITE IN GOD.

9. Our diversity teaches
us about God’s
family*
Ours is a richly diverse school
community where differences are to
be understood, respected, valued,
and appreciated.*
*http://www.omcschool.com

10. We can disagree with the
concepts of gender ideology,
support our transgender
students AND REMAIN UNITED
IN CHRIST.
*Created Male and Female: An Open Letter from
Religious Leaders USCCB
All human beings
are created by
God and thereby
have an inherent
dignity.*

11. How Can We Support Our
Transgender & LBG Students?
○ Our school will collaborate with families of transgender & LGB students - or any student -
to ensure EVERY students feel safe at school.
○ Faculty and students will model the Code of Courtesy by respecting all children –
including those who are transgender, gender non-conforming, or LGB – by using proper
pronouns and chosen names.
○ Our school will maintain classroom environments that align with our policies on anti-
discrimination, bullying, and conduct.
○ At the parent’s request, transgender, gender non-conforming, or LGB students will be
assigned a support team of faculty.
Our Faith-Filled Faculty Will Continue Creating A Kinder and Gentler Environment

12. Inclusion Tactics
○ Modify the School Uniform Policy to provide students with options – DONE 2017-18
○ Have a single-stall gender-neutral bathroom – DONE 2017-18
○ Use gender neutral terms:
Use “Friends” or “Students” instead of “Boys and Girls” – IN PROGRESS
○ Avoid segregating classrooms by gender:
Seating, lines, activities, and other groupings are not gender-specific – IN PROGRESS
○ Divvy up classroom jobs evenly:
Do not turn to gender norms to assign tasks such as taking out trash or cleaning
desks. – IN PROGRESS

13. Confidentiality
○ Our school will never disclose a student’s gender identity, transgender, or LGB status
unless it is necessary support the student’s social, emotional, and academic success or
authorized by the parent or student.
○ PERIOD.

14. “With all humility and gentleness, with patience,
accepting one another in love, diligently keeping
the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.”
Ephesians 4:2-3

15. Kids Have Questions. Lots of Questions.
When These Arise, We Will Honor Every Family.
○ Students will ALWAYS be directed to bring those important questions home to their
parents.
Typical responses children will hear from faculty:
“That’s a great question for your parents!”
“Really good question. You should talk to your parents about that.”

16. This is New Territory
○ We are committed to collaborating with parents to make our school safe for every
child.
○ We ask for your patience and compassion in this ongoing process.
○ We ask for your cooperation and support for all students as outlined in our diversity
policy and Code of Courtesy.
○ We ask for your prayers. Prayers of wisdom, guidance, love and acceptance.
○ We welcome your feedback.

17. We Welcome Your Feedback
THANK YOU.