Recent articles address trans youth

The Montreal Gazette recently published not one, but two articles about trans youth.

"Gender identity crisis" talks to three twenty-somethings reflecting on their experiences with gender identity and transitioning. The author also interviews a social counselor at a youth organization, a developmental behavioural pediatrician and a psychologist who focuses on sexual minority issues. The article covers the difficulties of figuring out one's own gender identity, coming out to families, transitioning, and finding support.

The next article, "An education on trans youth," uses the experiences of one individual to flesh out an explanation of the difficulties trans youth face in schools, including bullying, transphobic language, physical violence, and lack of understanding. The article, however, also highlights some positive tredns, including some of the inclusive actions at some CEGEPS and Universities, an upcoming resource manual from The Canadian Teachers' Federation, and talk about other awareness campaigns and teachers who are making the effort.

While media attention does not necessarily mean acceptance or vast improvement, it does indicate a positive shift of awareness and effort. Both articles provide a number of professionals, academics and resources that could be useful for educators in attempting to support trans youth. One very important step in doing this work is making sure those who are going through these struggles and experiences are given a voice. With a voice, and a platform such as the Gazette, trans youth can begin to better speak for themselves and have their needs and desires heard by more people.

Hello!

A little background:
I am currently completing my MA in Education and Society, more specifically in Culture and Values in Education. As a final master's project, I have decided to put together a guide for primary and secondary school educators on how to be trans-inclusive and how to make schools safer and more comfortable for trans youth.
Once it's completed, I am hoping to have this guide disseminated to schools and educators, mostly in the Montreal area through my own personal network of friends and colleges who work in the school system.
This blog will contain some information about my project, links to related and relevant websites, news articles, and organizations, and anything else I think might be useful for people working with trans youth or trying to make schools more gender conscious.

If you are interested in a copy of the guide when it is completed or you have any questions, please contact me at mtltransyouth@gmail.com.