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Supporting a gender diverse student at school is mostly about ensuring the student’s identity is treated as valid. Often this starts with a conversation around how the student wishes to identify, how they may wish to express their identity, what facilities they’re going to be comfortable using, and what they may expect from staff and students. Legally speaking, schools in the ACT are required to recognise X gendered students. As a result, schools must be able to accommodate the needs of gender diverse students.
There can be a lot of gender segregated activities at school. “Girls vs Boys” can be a quick and easy way to pick sporting teams or pair off students for an activity. It’s also common for health classes to be gender segregated, as well as some extra-curricular activities. Rather than make special accommodations for gender diverse students that may single them out, why not reconsider how these activities are generally approached? Chances are by making such spaces safer for gender diverse students, more equitable conditions are being made for all other students.
There is often not a clear transition pathway, or sometimes a pathway at all, or a set of needs and priorities for gender diverse students. There may be a desire to change names, pronouns, language, or other markers. It might mean that the student would like access to a gender neutral bathroom or be free to make a decision about what uniform they wish to wear. There may also be a desire for nothing to change, other than you knowing that they are gender diverse. The best thing to do is to start a conversation with them.
While studies haven’t focused on gender diverse students yet, it is worth noting that broader studies of the LGBTIQ+ community do show higher rates of mental illness, self harm, and suicidality that directly correlate with experiences of discrimination. The best way to combat this is to ensure that gender diverse students have an environment that supports them. This can mean targeting bullying when it occurs, just like with any student, and encouraging your school to be more open and accepting of gender diversity For many, the opportunity to join peer support groups can give them access to positive reinforcement and safe environments to express themselves.
Another common issue for gender diverse students at school is that of privacy. When a student identifies as gender diverse, it is important to let them come out to others in their own time. This is trusted information, and they alone have the right to tell other people or consent to them being told, including other staff, if and/or when they want to. It is important to let them tell their parents in their own time, and ensure they are emotionally supported at school. If the school has access to a counsellor, it might be worth referring the student to them. Not all gender diverse students will have a supportive enough home environment to tell their family, or to be able to be themselves in the family home. Ensuring and respecting their privacy at school can provide them with a safe environment for processing their feelings and experiences.
AGA acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as the traditional owners of this land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to the Elders of the Ngunnawal Nation, both past and present. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connections to land, water and community. Always was always will be.