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Transgender Awareness workshop
Bournemouth23rd January 2013
“… I have felt like a gay boy trapped in a girl’s body since I
was five and don't understand
why ... there doesn't seem to
be anybody who understands
or who I can talk to. It affects
me everyday.”
“(following an assault the police) just could not
imagine or really deal with how I could be feeling as they were uneducated in
Trans issues. I felt unheard, pacified and patronised.”
“...The worst
prejudice has
come from
religious
friends and
relatives.”
“there is hope on the horizon that young transpeople will not have to tolerate what we have gone through; but other areas of concern have not changed and it is the job of this report to highlight those areas.”Krys Vere-Bujnowski
Former Co-chair, SWTEN
‘Gender dysphoria’ Identification with or wish to be considered as
their true gender (not that assigned at birth)
A spectrum of identities – gender variance
Emerging evidence: brain anatomy and physiology in transsexual people develops in the womb. (Atypical
Gender Development – A Review, International Journal of Transgenderism)
Not a mental illness, but is often treated as one by medical profession
1
Trans-lation
Transsexual - someone whose gender dysphoria is such that they need to deal with it through transitioning – usually with medical assistance - to a gender role different from that assigned to them at birth.
Transgender - a broader term that includes all those who experience some degree of gender variance, in most cases requiring no medical intervention (GIRES 2009)
Trans people ... Are all over the world – not just a Western
thing
Have existed always - through recorded history
Cross all economic and social boundaries
Are part of a natural variation
Want no more than to be themselves, in peace
Are entitled to dignity, respect and confidentiality
Current legislation
Human Rights Act 1998 Article 8: right to respect for private & family life Article 12: right to marry and found a family
Gender Recognition Act 2004• GR Certificate: able to change birth certificate
Equality Act 2010 • Protected characteristic ‘Gender reassignment’ • No need to be under medical supervision
UK Statistics
Are far from accurate - best estimate approx 21 in every 100,000 people are transsexual (GIRES)
A school with 1,000 pupils will have 6 who experience gender dysphoria during their lives.
Others likely to have transgender parent or relative
80% of trans people have encountered problems (The Equalities Review 2007)
34.4% said they thought about or attempted suicide or self harm (The Equalities Review 2007)
Early years Children usually know how they fit within the
gender spectrum by about age 4 or 5. (GIRES)
When young the common experience (is) having no-one to talk to, or no-one who could be trusted to listen... (SWTEN report)
“I have felt like a gay boy trapped in a girl’s body since I was five and don't understand why… My head is messed up over this stuff and there doesn't seem to be anybody who understands or who I can talk to. It affects me everyday.” (young PP&T contributor)
Early years
80% of those who go on to transition knew by the time they were 8 years old that their gender identity was at odds with society’s perception (Gender Identity Research & Education Society)
“...the school environment and community (has a key role) in securing or undermining the well-being of Transgender children and young people”.
“Problems during school years create barriers for individuals in fulfilling their academic, creative, professional and economic potential”. (SWTEN report)
Puberty and the ‘pause button’ Changes at puberty “can be terrifying and repulsive to a
transgendered person”.
International Endocrine Society (IES) – recommends ‘puberty blocking’ for some young trans people
"People are always afraid that (puberty blocking) will be harmful for the children. But what they never take into account is that it is also harmful to not give them this treatment.”
Clinics in Australia, Canada, Germany, the U.S. and the UK have started to offer treatment to young trans people to prevent the onset of puberty.
Transition Process of moving towards living in true
identity
A fundamental, extremely stressful, life change
Typically - Loss of friends, jobs, family, home - often all in one go Male/female socialisation needs to be unlearned and
new behaviours acquired
Required to live in identity for 2 yrs prior to medical treatment
Hormone therapy and surgery not widely available in UK for under 18s
Vulnerability to Social exclusion, bullying, abuse Isolation Loss of essential emotional support – family Loss of security – home and employment Loss of confidence and self-esteem Risks to mental and physical health and
well-being Self-harm and suicide: overall attempted
suicide rate 34%; 50% for teenagers (SWTEN report).
Health and well-being: Messages from PP&T
• Local support services/groups are important
• All service providers/all sectors - publicise and practise trans inclusiveness
• All staff (and volunteers) need awareness training, and to practice respect
• GPs: attitudes and clinical knowledge key - surgery-based trans specialists
• Mental health services: more counselling, more timely, more Trans aware
Health and well-being: Messages from SWTEN
Early intervention in schools to create a specific, proactive, committed response to the needs of Transgender young people, including • active anti-bullying policies• police working with schools to address trans issues of
safety• awareness training for staff and governors• trans issues described and introduced into PHSE and
other (e.g. Science) parts of the curriculum
How you can help
Visibly embrace diversity as an individual and/or organisation (e.g. E&D posters)
Have up to date anti-discriminatory and anti-bullying policies that are publicised and enforced
Make it easy to report Transphobic incidents
Spread awareness and understanding – training for staff and service users
Provide a mentor who can help trans people – good pastoral care
The experiences of early years have a profound effect on individuals’ self-development ... (SWTEN report)
“It takes so much
strength and courage to
keep going as a Trans
person that there’s little
room for anything else.”
(SWTEN report)
“... those closest to trans people often have the most difficulty accepting gender transition...” PP&T
“...The worst prejudice
has come from religious
friends and relatives.”
PP&T
“I chose to conceal my
gender identity conflict to
shield my family and myself
from abuse or attack.”
PP&T
Support from
education bodies is
vital in meeting the
needs and
promoting the well-
being of Transgender
children and young
people. (SWTEN
report)
Ruth’s Story
Ruth was born in a male body but knew from the age of 16 that she wanted to be a woman. Learn about her hormone treatment and surgery, and how she feels now:http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gender-dysphoria/Pages/Introduction.aspx?r=1&rtitle=Gender+dysphoria+-+Introduction
My journey: Trans people share their
experiences-
Some useful links The Beaumont trust:
http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/help_and_advice.html
GIRES - Information for trans people, their families and the professionals who care for them: http://www.gires.org.uk/
Press for Change: http://www.pfc.org.uk/
NHS website: An Introduction to working with Transgender people: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_074254.pdf
SW Transgender Equality Network – to get involved and find out more, including local groups, research and general information: http://www.equalitysouthwest.org.uk/transgender
Transgender Information: [email protected]
Text: 0781 609 3291