Supporting Transgender Young People

1
Supporting Transgender Young People

• Developed in 2006 by
• Ash Pike
• Trans Melbourne Gender Project
• Liz Alexander
• Monash Youth Family Services

2
When I was little I thought I would grow up to
look like my mum. I didnt everyone says I look
just like my dad
My parents say no to anything boyish and try to
force me to be girly so actually Im pretending
to be someone else every day. The real me is
trapped inside

• Whenever I go to the womens bathroom people
  look at me like I am not supposed to be there. I
  know they think I am a guy. Actually Id rather
  go to the mens because I feel like Im a boy
  inside. But in the mens toilet they think I am a
  girl

3
Definitions

• Gender identity
• a persons internal, deeply felt sense of being
  male, female, or something other or in between.
• Sexual orientation
• The nature of a persons basic sexual attraction
  to other people (homosexual, heterosexual,
  bisexual or queer)  
• Transgender
• Umbrella term for people whose gender identity is
  different from the sex assigned to them at birth
  and/or whose gender expression is non
  stereotypical. This includes transsexual,
  crossdresser, genderqueer and transgender people.
•  

4

• Transsexual
• Individuals who are born anatomically male or
  female but have a profound identification with
  the opposite gender assigned to them at birth.
  Transsexuals usually seek hormone therapy and
  often surgery to bring their body in line with
  their gender identity.
•  Genderqueer
• People who do not identify as or who do not
  express themselves as, completely male or female.
  These people may or may not identify as
  transgender and may or may not seek hormone
  therapy and/or surgery.
•  Transition
• when someone changes their physical appearance
  and/or body match their internal sense of self.
  Often consists of change in style of dress, new
  name, and a request for people to use the right
  pronoun. This may or may not include necessary
  medical care such as hormone therapy, counseling
  and/or surgery.

5

• Male to Female (MTF)Someone who was born
  anatomically male, but identifies as and has
  usually modified their body and or appearance to
  match their gender identity of female. Usually
  refers to a transsexual
• Female to Male (FTM)
• Someone who was born anatomically female, but
  identifies as and is usually modified their body
  and or appearance to match their gender identity
  of male. Usually refers to a transsexual
• Crossdresser
• A person who has an emotional need to express
  their alternative gender identity and be accepted
  in that role in a less permanent basis.
• Intersex
• A long-established medical (genetic) condition
  where an infant is born with reproductive organs
  and/or sex chromosomes that are not exclusively
  male or female.

6

• Gender Identity Disorder/Gender Dysphoria
• The psychological term that describes the
  feelings of pain, anguish and anxiety that arise
  from the mis-match between trans peoples
  physical sex and their social gender and the
  societal pressure to conform to the usual gender
  expectations. GID is presently included as a
  mental illness in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and
  Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), however
  many trans people do not believe they have a
  mental disorder. There is debate around whether
  it should remain in the DSM.
• Transphobia
• The fear and hatred or transgender or transsexual
  people which takes the form of harassment,
  violence and abuse towards those who are or who
  are perceived to be transgender or transsexual.
  This can include systematic oppression and
  discrimination.

7
References

• NB This list of definitions is adapted from
  several sources and supports the view that
  definitions are subject to ongoing debate
• -Victorian Ministerial Advisory committee on
  Gay and Lesbian Health, Whats the Difference?
  Health Issues of Major Concern to Gay, Lesbian,
  Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (GLBTI)
  Victorians. Rural and regional Health and Aged
  Care Services Division, Department of Human
  Services, Melbourne, Australia 2002.
• - Transgender Victoria, Transgender Victoria Inc
  Presentation Transgender Victoria, Melbourne,
  Australia 2005

8
Why Do We Need to Discuss Issues Around Gender?
9
At Risk Population

• Isolation
• Discrimination
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Mental health Issues
• Suicide
• Access to services

10
The cause of much distress by transgender people
may be related back to their relationships with
people close to them, such as family, neighbors,
workmates and social peers, in other words, the
very people most of us depend on for support in
our everyday lives. Transgender HIV/AIDS Needs
Assessment Project, p. 60
11
Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes and Restrictions
Has Implications for Everyone
12
In what ways is your school or service gendered?
13
Issues Transgender Young People Can Face

• Disclosure
• Pronoun usage and names
• Passing
• Body image
• Gender binaries and places where gender is
  enforced strongly

14
Issues Transgender Young People Can Face

• Adjusting to living full time as a different
  gender
• Navigating and access to the medical/psychiatric
  sectors
• Harassment and discrimination
• Lack of role models

15
Strategies to Support Transgender Young People

• Names and pronouns
• Challenge gender stereotypes in the
  classroom/service
• Respect confidentiality
• Provide support and information to parents/carers
• Recognition of different ways of identifying
• Know when and where to refer on to
• Educate yourself and others
• Protect from harassment

16
Strategies to Support Transgender Young People

• Review anti-discrimination and anti-bullying
  policies in the school/service
• Provide single occupancy bathrooms, if possible
• Resources
• Uniforms
• Forms and data collection

17
What Supports Us?

• Equal Opportunity Act makes it unlawful to
  discriminate on ground of gender identity
• Department of Education

18
Even though the world makes it a really hard
place to be transgender its worth it. Its
worth it to be true to yourself to who you are
and the richness and freedom in your mind that
comes from being who you really are, and not
letting society dictate who you should see
yourself as in terms of gender is
amazing David, female to male transgender
person, 20 y.o. In Other Words Video
19
Questions?