Inclusive Practices for Transgender/Non-Binary Students
We want all of our students to have the opportunity to live authentically. This process involves exploration of many facets of identity; for some, this includes gender identity. Research consistently reveals that transgender and non-binary youth need more support in all areas of their school experience. We strive to support our transgender/non-binary students at Potomac.
Weezie Parry, grades 5-8 counselor, and Juna McDaid, assistant head of school for academics, attended a summer training through Kirby Creative Clinical Solutions to better understand the nuances and complexities of working with gender-diverse youth. Heather Kirby, a licensed social worker and local leader on this topic, has been working with transgender/non-binary teens and young adults for decades. She highlights that by listening to the voices of our students, we can better understand how to meet their needs.
Ms. Parry and Ms. McDaid share that their participation in the workshops left them with a few key takeaways for working with transgender/non-binary youth. Ms. Parry says she keeps in mind that it takes courage to express one's gender authentically, especially if that expression is inconsistent with cultural norms. Gender dysphoria creates deep distress for those living with a sex assignment that differs from their gender identity. It can feel supportive to individuals who experience gender dysphoria to describe what the experience is like for them, as a helpful outlet and to feel validated and understood. Ms. McDaid notes that she was reminded that every transgender/non-binary student's journey is different and that students who have supportive adults in their lives have significantly better outcomes.
Listening to Student Voices
What is most important is to create safe spaces for students to feel comfortable sharing and building community. The journey for students to be able to express who they are freely can be a very individual one, and what will work for one student may not work for another. Suzanne Bailey, Upper School English teacher and co-advisor for GSA, says, "GSA meetings provide US students with a safe and affirming space to be in community with one another. Among themselves, students have created a supportive and inclusive culture where they can speak freely, laugh together, uplift each other, and just be kids who are embraced for who they are, no explanation necessary. They are supported by adults who either identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community or are strong allies."
Potomac Intermediate and Upper School students share some perspectives about their experiences with their affinity spaces:
- "To me, affinity groups are a space where I can be myself, free of judgment, and connect with others like me. GSA has been one of the biggest ways I’ve found my people who understand what it’s like to be queer at Potomac and who really make the space feel so safe.."
- "I have been given a place to change that aligns with my gender identity, and all teachers have been accepting. I got to meet some new people [in the alliance space]. It would be helpful if Potomac would not split people up by girl/boy."
- "I feel Potomac is pretty supportive of LGBTQIA+. I have only told 2-3 close friends of my sexuality and they seem very supportive of it. They are very awesome and so is this school."
- "I haven't told most people about my sexuality and don't know how to come out."
- "I enjoyed the calmness of the first meeting of the [LGBTQ+ alliance group]."
- "Having an alliance space is enough for now."
Ensuring Support and Protections
One role of adults is to help transgender and non-binary students build their agency to be confident in who they are. Potomac is currently in the process of looking at practices and policies to better support transgender and non-binary students and families. Ms. Bailey says, "I think we have important work ahead of us in moving toward a larger school culture that nurtures a stronger, more authentic sense of belonging for all." When students who identify as LGBTQ+ graduate, they now also have the opportunity to join the Panther Pride Alumni Network to stay connected to the alumni community through this affinity space.
November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week. During this time, people and organizations around the country participate to help raise visibility for transgender people and address issues the community faces.
November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance. TDOR is an annual observance that honors the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.