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: transgender.information@yahoo.co.uk

Text: 0781 609 3291