It is our pleasure at the beginning of every year to report on projects that were funded by Beyond the Bridge and completed during the previous year. In this first issue of 2014 we we will focus on the groundbreaking work of Seattle Schools to improve school climate for transgender and gender non-conforming youth.

More students in Seattle and around the nation are coming out as transgender, and they are doing so at younger ages. Yet in a nationwide survey 78% of K-12 transgender students report being harassed on a regular basis, one-third report physical violence, and 6% say they have been expelled due to their gender expression. And bathrooms, locker rooms, athletic teams and more are segregated by gender, decreasing access and safety. Students, parents and school staff have been asking for guidance to better accommodate the needs of gender variant youth.

In December of 2012 a Superintendent Procedure titled "Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action: Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students" was approved for Seattle public schools. This document provides school administrators and staff with legal requirements and best practices addressing everything from bathroom use to athletics, field trips to student records. Funds from Beyond the Bridge supported two district-wide trainings which were attended by nearly 100 staff. Trainings were conducted by Seattle Schools Health Education Manager Lisa Love in conjunction with Gender Diversity Director Aidan Key. Funding also supported additional trainings at three elementary and middle schools, gay-straight alliance activities, and books across all grade levels that reflect a diverse range of gender identities and experiences.

In sharing with us about the successes and challenges of this initiative, Lisa Love notes the powerful impact of student, staff and family voices.  For example, "One staff person shared that they had done a great deal to prepare the rest of the school staff and students for the transitioning of an elementary student.  As it turned out, it was such a non-issue for the kids that it was more like announcing that the lunch menu had been changed. There were a few thoughtful questions and then they moved on. Hearing this from a school staff directly was a relief to others in the training."

While we know unfortunately that not all transitions go so smoothly, staff who are prepared with accurate knowledge about transgender youth experiences and best practices will be better able to handle bullying or other negative responses should they occur. And access to all that a K-12 education has to offer, including academics, extracurricular activities, social and emotional development, will be greatly enhanced for gender variant youth in schools where such policies are being implemented.

Beyond the Bridge was proud to fund Seattle Schools' efforts to destigmatize and demystify gender identity and expression and create accepting school spaces and appropriate responses for transgender and gender non-conforming youth.

30 Winter Street, STE 800

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 426-1350

Fax: (617) 426-3594

Email: gladlaw@glad.org

January 30th, 2014
http://safeschoolscoalitionvictoria.org.au/safe-schools-do-better/

Check out this brand new resource 'Safe Schools Do Better.' It's gloriously colourful and has everything you need to know about SSCV and supporting gender and sexual diversity at YOUR school.  

Includes:  
Download the 12 page digital copy here (pdf format)
Safe Schools Coalition Victoria
http://safeschoolscoalitionvictoria.org.au/