“Transgender students need to feel that they have a space where they are safe and
accepted without having to justify or defend who they are. Of paramount importance is
respecting the gender identity of the student as misgendering a student can cause a
great deal of distress. Building relationships with others within a safe, accepting
environment can be a crucial component of helping transgender students feel engaged
and committed in school while they are navigating personal identity issues as well as
the formation of positive self-esteem.”
(Kurt 2017)

Transgender students are students, and, like all students, deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported in school by faculty and peers in order to get the most out of their school experience. Somehow, I feel like when people think of the word “transgender,” they think of politics, belief systems, legalities, when in reality, transgender refers first and foremost to people. People are deserving of respect and dignity regardless of their gender identity or expression. Even so, transgender people are constantly misunderstood and discriminated against, including (and sometimes especially) during school.

I have heard of teachers refusing to use a student’s preferred pronouns or a preferred name because they do not match the student’s birth sex. Some teachers have used the excuse that it does not fit within their personal belief systems, and some have refused because they find the whole concept of transgender to be unnatural, but honestly, that’s code for it makes them uncomfortable or irrationally angry, and so they refuse to support it in any way. A huge part of a teacher’s job, however, is to support his or her students, and using a student’s preferred name and gender pronouns is such a simple but meaningful way to show a student that they are welcome and free to be themselves in the classroom. This validation is an important step towards creating a safe place where students can do what they come to school to do: learn and grow.

Respect is the key to forming positive relationships between teachers and students and amongst the students themselves. I feel that it must be made clear that gender identity and/or gender expression is not a reason to disrespect any student (or human in general). This applies to both students and school faculty. There is no appropriate or acceptable excuse for disrespecting or harming a transgender person in school (or anywhere, for that matter.)