A Literature Review of the Secondary School Experiences of Trans Youth

A Literature Review of the Secondary School Experiences of Trans Youth

 Published by: Journal of LGBT Youth.  2020. Author: Ruari-Santiago McBride.

Find more articles on affirmative care for trans youth at our site: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

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“In this article I review 83 empirical studies that provide insight into the secondary school experiences of trans youth.  The studies show that while some trans youth have affirming experiences, the majority are exposed to institutionalized cisnormativity that makes them vulnerable to macroaggressions, microaggressions and violence within school settings. Trans youth’s exposure to institutionalized cisnormativity was found to intersect with multiple vectors of social power, which subject some trans youth to multiple forms of disadvantage while affording others degrees of privilege.  In conclusion, the findings show that trans youth’s educational experiences reflect broader structural inequalities yet defy essentializing explanations.”

https://www.academia.edu/42009727/A_literature_review_of_the_secondary_school_experiences_of_trans_youth?email_work_card=view-paper

Supporting Gender and Sexual Diversity in High Schools

Supporting Gender and Sexual Diversity in High Schools

Published by: Murdoch University, Young and Well Collective.  June 2016. Author: Jance Pearce, Wendy Cumming-Potvin, Veronica Gardiner.

A comprehensive document outlining  strategies and interventions to build increased awareness and to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents, which leads directly to improved outcomes.  

“Accounts of teachers’ struggles to create safe classrooms and inclusive practices provide valuable insights for other educators, for whom this resource has been written.  The resource builds on the productive work of many community and government organisations, such as the Safe Schools Coalition, Freedom Centre, Curtin University’s Centre for Human Rights Education and the Equal Opportunity Commission, to raise awareness of and support sexual and gender diversity in schools.  It is hoped this resource will be of interest to every educator who wants to engage in conversations to counter discrimination  and bullying specific to gender and sexuality and protect the human rights of all young people, including those who self-identify as LGBTQI.”

https://www.academia.edu/33920096/supporting_gender_and_sexual_diversity_in_high_schools.pdf?email_work_card=thumbnail

Interrupting institutional heteronormativity: School counsellors' role in advocating for gender and sexually diverse students

An important piece on how school counselors and other school allies can be instrumental in creating a safe space for these vulnerable youth, and can make a dramatic impact towards their wellbeing and safety.

Find more information on affirmative care for trans and gender nonbinary youth at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

And Like/Follow us on Facebook for updates: @gdaffirmative

Published in: Canadian Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy. 2019. Author: Tanya Surette.

“Abstract:

“Many gender and sexually diverse students continue to view their schools as a hostile and oppressive environment. The focus in research has shifted more recently from individualizing this problem to understanding the complex systemic and institutional contributors to the ongoing marginalization of this population. As an integral part of the school system, school counsellors are uniquely positioned to offer important individual- and group-level supports to these students. Using narrative interviewing, this qualitative study provides an opportunity to visit the lived experiences of 6 current gender and sexually diverse high school students and their encounters with heteronormativity at school. Their stories offer insights into factors contributing to their distress and demonstrate stress-ameliorating factors that could be used to guide school counsellors who advocate for the safety and inclusion of students with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities…”

“Conclusion:

“The findings from this study offer important insights from students who are currently trying to navigate the often hostile and heterosexist school spaces. By listening to their experiences, opportunities are illuminated for school counsellors to work with students, educators, administrators, and policymakers, to create meaningful changes in their schools and promote a welcoming, safe, and inclusive learning environment. 

“Based on the most recent Canadian study exploring school climates about gender and sexual diversity, there remains a high number of gender- and sexually-diverse students who are uncomfortable accessing support, regarding topics of gender and sexuality, from their school counsellor (Taylor et al., 2011). School counsellors are uniquely positioned to provide opportunities for empowerment, advocacy, self-determination, and reflection with individual students and groups. Counsellors can support students in advocating for a more inclusive and democratic educational experience. 

“Often, when teachers encounter a student who is having trouble at school, they will reach out to the school counsellor for guidance and support. By listening to the stories contained in this paper, counsellors can better understand the barriers that students who are gender- and sexually-diverse experience when pursuing their right to develop a healthy identity. School counsellors can collaborate with their educational team. They can also collaborate with gender- and sexually-diverse youth to create school spaces that help them thrive, and allow space for diverse gender expressions and non-heteronormative sexual orientations.”

https://www.academia.edu/41076146/Interrupting_institutional_heteronormativity_School_counsellors_role_in_advocating_for_gender_and_sexually_diverse_students?email_work_card=view-paper

The Delaware Journal of Public Health: LGBT Health Equity

This issue of the Delaware Journal of Public Health is devoted to LGBT Health Equity and features several articles relevant to trans and gender nonbinary youth and adults. Several are listed below, and others in the journal are interesting as well.

Most notable are:

Keeping Youth Alive: Considerations for Suicide Prevention of Gender Diverse Youth. Author: Elise Mora, LCSW.

“Objective. This article examines suicidality of gender expansive youth and identifies evidence=based practical interventions for healthcare professionals and other adults who interact with gender expansive youth…

“Results. Gender expansive youth are at significantly heightened risk of suicide compared to their cisgender peers. Nonbinary youth are the most vulnerable of all subgroups.

“Conclusion: Explicit recommendations for enhancing resilience for this population complete the article. More research is critical for this demographic, as current literature is severely limited.”

A Mother’s Story. Author: Sally McBride.

“Sally and David McBride’s youngest child came out as transgender on Christmas Day 2011 as a junior at American University. The news rocked their world. Here is their story as told by Sally.”

Building Resilience, Reducing Risk: Four Pillars to Creating Safer, More Supportive Schools for LGBT Youth. Author: Rev Karla Fleshman, LCSW, M.Div.

“Abstract. In 2017 Delaware, LGBTQ+ Youth reported that almost 1 out of 3 were bullied on school grounds. Additionally, over 50% reported feeling sad/hopeless, and almost as many seriously considered suicide as an option, while 32% planned for suicide with almost 1 in 4 reported having acted on their suicide plan at least once. Of all the students who reported a suicide attempt, 10% required medical treatment as a result of their attempt. The Delaware Department of Education does not have comprehensive statewide protections in place to support some of our most vulnerable youth, yet school districts can make a positive difference in implementing policy/practices to build resilience and reduce risk.

“This article will focus on four key areas where schools and school districts may implement changes toward creating safer, more supportive schools: (1) policy/procedures that protect LGBTQ+ students at the administrative level; (2) comprehensive cultural sensitivity training for serving LGBTQ+ students and their families; (3) incorporating inclusive curriculum on LGBTQ+ history into the classroom; (4) and creating, supporting, and sustaining gender and sexuality alliances in both the middle and high schools.”

https://www.academia.edu/39955943/LGBTQ_Health_Equity

Trans and Non-Binary Children and Youth: A Roadmap for improving Services in Ontario

TRANS AND NON-BINARY CHILDREN AND YOUTH: A ROADMAP FOR IMPROVING SERVICES IN ONTARIO

Posting this as a very comprehensive report on the needs of trans and gender nonbinary youth, and information on how services might be developed to address those issues. It would be a useful read for educators, social service directors, family members, legislators, or others involved in work to affirm these vulnerable youth.  This is relevant not just in Ontario but in so many other contexts as well.

Published by: Rainbow Health Ontario.  2019.  Authors: Loralee Gillis, Dominic Popowich, Dr. Ilene Hyman, J. Skelton, Susan Barrass.  

“Executive Summary:

“Awareness of trans and non-binary children and youth is increasing, both socially and among service agencies. However, despite legislative and regulatory progress in trans rights, the specific needs of trans and non-binary children and youth remain largely unaddressed. Many agencies looking to strengthen their supports for this vulnerable group and their caregivers don’t yet know how, leaving trans and non-binary children and youth to encounter avoidable problems.

“Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO), a program of Sherbourne Health, led a needs assessment to learn about ongoing concerns and challenges faced by trans and non-binary children and youth; their parents and caregivers; and their service providers. Evidently, significant barriers remain for these children and youth to have access to needed health care in a timely way, and to fully participate in their families, communities and broader society. 

“In this report, we review the current literature on trans and non-binary children and youth and share their perspectives, along with those of their caregivers, on their health and social needs. We also offer evidence for policy and service development in support of these populations, and provide cross-sectoral recommendations for public and community sector agencies to better address the needs of these youth and their families.”

https://www.academia.edu/41337441/TRANS_AND_NON-BINARY_CHILDREN_AND_YOUTH_A_ROADMAP_FOR_IMPROVING_SERVICES_IN_ONTARIO?email_work_card=title

Statement from Brown University School of Public Health Faculty Members Committed to LGBTQI Affirmative Health Research

We at the Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group wish to thank these distinguished faculty from Brown University School of Public Health for openly and directly speaking out to the Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria ‘controversy’. We respect and appreciate their commitments to scientific honesty and rigor, to creating an environment of compassion and openness, to the necessity to include members of the trans and gender nonbinary community in all work done about the trans and nonbinary community, and to the health and wellbeing of trans and gender nonbinary people worldwide.

https://www.optionsri.org/post/a-letter-on-rapid-onset-gender-dysphoria?fbclid=IwAR3CDdGEy2s067VEjS9_Sa75gWyKWf4lnEs6Su-EHNsjXYJfXRJ3PmKOJHo

A few notable quotes:

“… [W]e write this letter as individual scientists and educators—who benefit from academic freedom—to publicly acknowledge the health-related harms and consequences of a lobby that seeks to undermine the legitimacy of transgender experiences. We also write this letter to state and underscore our commitment to uplift transgender and gender diverse communities through our research, scholarship, teaching, and service.”

“…The ROGD lobby has worked to undermine the experiences and identities of transgender and gender diverse individuals, with the potential for dire health consequences.”

“The ROGD lobby is also threatening transgender individuals’ rights via healthcare practice and public policy.”

“It is well-documented that being affirmed in one’s gender identity yields mental health benefits. Thus, we are committed to creating a safe and gender-affirming educational space for our students, staff, and fellow faculty of all genders, gender expressions, and sexual orientations.” 

“We also recognize that research is best conducted withnot onmembers of the population of interest. Thus, we are committed to carrying out our research in accordance with best practices for community-engaged research.”

“We also recognize the importance of having research agendas developed and implemented bytransgender and gender diverse communities. Thus, we are committed to building a pipeline of transgender students, fostering an environment where transgender and gender diverse students can thrive, and mentoring and training future generations of transgender and gender diverse researchers.”

“Finally, an essential responsibility of learned communities is to contribute to social good by amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations. Thus, we affirm our unwavering commitment to transgender and gender diverse communities and the highest standards of ethical, rigorous, and affirming research and practice.”

We encourage the Brown University School of Public Health and Brown University as a whole to issue similar statements in the near future. 

Chosen Name Use Is Linked to Reduced Depressive Symptoms, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicidal Behavior Among Transgender Youth

Even something as “simple” as using a trans youth’s chosen/preferred/self-identified name can be a very powerful intervention with clear positive outcomes. And don’t we want our youth to have less depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation?

Published in: Journal of Adolescent Health. October, 2018. Authors: Stephen T. Russell, Amanda M. Pollitt, Gu Li, Arnold H. Grossman.

“Transgender youth whose gender expression and names do not appear to match may be vulnerable to unintended disclosure or “outing,” and to discrimination or victimization, factors that could lead to mental health problems [1]. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relation between chosen name use, as a proxy for youths' gender affirmation in various contexts, and mental health among transgender youth.”

“We asked transgender youth whether they had a preferred name different from the name they were given at birth, and, if yes, asked, ‘are you able to go by your preferred name’ at home (n = 54), at school (n = 57), at work (n = 50), or with friends (n=69).”

“…chosen name use in more contexts predicted fewer depressive symptoms and less suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. An increase by one context in which a chosen name could be used predicted a 5.37-unit decrease in depressive symptoms, a 29% decrease in suicidal ideation, and a 56% decrease in suicidal behavior. We observed similar results when we individually tested specific contexts for chosen name use (except that chosen name use with friends did not significantly predict mental health after adjusting for demographics and close friend support). Depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior were at the lowest levels when chosen names could be used in all four contexts.”

https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(18)30085-5/fulltext

Surviving a Gender Variant Childhood: The Views of Transgender Adults on the Needs of Gender Variant Children and Their Parents

Published in: Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 2012. Authors: Elizabeth Anne Riley, Lindy Clemson, Gomathi Sitharthan, Milton Diamond.

“… the needs of children that emerged were most notably, for parents, school staff and other authority figures to be educated so that children do not need to ‘hide’ themselves and their gender expression for fear of adversity. The participants also expressed their need as children to be able to speak about their feelings, to have their gender expression accepted, to be recognised, to be protected, to be given the opportunity to know others with similar feelings and for their parents to be open-minded, able and willing to accept their gender variant children. This study identified that the participants’ parents primarily needed access to information and educated professionals, particularly in schools, counselling and medical contexts. Exposure to successful transgender people and access to parent support groups was also seen as a need to help parents become more accepting of their children's diversity. The need for family and wider support was mentioned as a need for both the gender variant children and the parents as some participants felt that even though support of their parents was necessary, it was not enough for them to live happily and safely within the broader society.”

“The need for ‘health literacy’ was highlighted as tool to empower individuals, in this case, parents, to respond effectively in addressing the issues with regard to their gender variant children. In particular, allowing confidence to approach professionals for support with their own and their child's emotional, physical and social well-being….”

“… it appears that living in a society where punishment is customary for lack of conformity to gender stereotypes creates a lifelong struggle and sometimes ‘withdrawal’ that caused some participants great distress and impacts on their self-esteem and ability to thrive.”

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Surviving-a-gender-variant-childhood%3A-the-views-of-Riley-Clemson/20d1168cecafe4aa6c633e4691b60e88ed31c901

High School Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and Young Adult Well-Being: An Examination of GSA Presence, Participation, and Perceived Effectiveness

Yet one more study outlining the importance of LGBTQ+ youth having the opportunity to associate with each other. Rather than making youth LGBTQ+ through ‘social contagion’, contact with other LGBTQ+ youth is protective and aids with development and health.

Published in: Applied Developmental Science. 2011. Authors: Russell B. Toomey, Caitlin Ryan, Rafael M. Diaz & Stephen T. Russell.

“… there appear to be positive associations between GSAs and well-being and educational attainment. Our finding that students who were in schools with GSAs were more likely to obtain a college education underscores the potential impact on educational achievement and socioeconomic and occupational status as an adult. In addition, given the heightened attention to suicides of young males who were known or perceived to be gay and bisexual that have been linked to anti-gay harassment at school (e.g., Katz, 2010), our findings point to GSAs as a potential context for reducing this risk – at least at low levels of LGBT school victimization - given the significant interaction between GSA participation and LGBT school victimization on lifetime suicide attempts.”

“In sum, our findings suggest that school administrators and personnel should be supportive in helping students to form and facilitate GSAs in schools as a potential source of promoting positive development for this underserved population. “

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217265/