Another piece of terminology thats important when discussing this topic is the word 'cis' referring to someone who identifies themselves to be the gender they were assigned at birth; for example I am a cis female. This should be something that's taught in schools most definitely as it instantly opens people up to the question and possibility of identifying as something other than their assigned gender.
The internet is a difficult and confusing place when researching this as theres not near enough information on it, especially not clearly written and explained. I feel the most appropriate way for me to get a full explanation of pronouns, issues and solutions is to ask people who don't identify as cis and people going through physical transitions. I have constructed a list of questions to pose to people in the hope of understanding things clearly.
Two important things I addressed from my crit that need discussing within my project are -
- showing the definition and difference between being transgender and being a drag queen
- discussing the steps and progression of people undergoing transition
1. What pro-nouns do you choose to identify with? And what is the definition (in your opinion) of this pronoun?
2. At what age did you first realise you weren't cis (female/male assigned at birth)?
3. At what age did you come out as (insert pronoun)?
4. Was your gender ever discussed within education? And did this provide help and support?
5. What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (primary school age)?
6. What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (secondary school age)?
7. Who/what age group do you feel needs teaching about gender related issues and facts the most?
8. What resources are most important in the fight to equality, understanding and acceptance? (posters, guides, websites, stickers, other)
9. Is there any other support methods or things that could help solve the ignorance surrounding this issue?
ANSWERS - ONE
Q1: What pro-nouns do you choose to identify with? And what is the definition (in your opinion) of this pronoun?
Male pronouns, he/ him/his
Q2: At what age did you first realise you weren't cis (female/male assigned at birth)?
Started having feelings of doubt at around 8, fully realised at 15
Q3: At what age did you come out as (insert pronoun)?
15
Q4: Was your gender ever discussed within education? And did this provide help and support?
It was discussed that it would be "too difficult" for the school to support me fully with bullying and the "backlash" of my coming out, so it was said that I should wait until after leaving education to start my transition. I started my transition regardless and started loving full time as male the day I left secondary school.
Q5: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (primary school age)?
Being taught what gender is and how/why it all is as it is in more depth than "blue is for boys and pink is for girls", being allowed to wear the uniform I chose rather than the "girls uniform" that I was forced to wear, education into LGBT topics, such as non-cis sex ed
Q6: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (secondary school age)?
Inclusion of talk about gender at all during lessons such as science, childcare, health studies and sex ed
Q7: Who/what age group do you feel needs teaching about gender related issues and facts the most?
Q8: What resources are most important in the fight to equality, understanding and acceptance? (posters, guides, websites, stickers, other)
Websites with correct information on them, posters, allowing more variety on TV
Q9: Is there any other support methods or things that could help solve the ignorance surrounding this issue?
More trans support groups that actually have a meeting spot in areas where there aren't any (Cumbria for example), taking away the "taboo" and just talking about it openly in the media and strict crack downs from police on hate crime, too many hate crimes reported don't go anywhere therefore trans people are slowly starting not to report crimes, losing faith in authority, myself being one.
TWO
Q1: What pro-nouns do you choose to identify with? And what is the definition (in your opinion) of this pronoun?
Them/They/Their
A neutral pronoun, can be used for anyone who doesnt want to disclose their gender, for someone who doesnt adhere to a gender, for addressing more than one person.
Q2: At what age did you first realise you weren't cis (female/male assigned at birth)?
I was about 13 but I always had an idea
Q3: At what age did you come out as (insert pronoun)?
15 but no one uses the right pronouns.
Q4: Was your gender ever discussed within education? And did this provide help and support?
never.
Q5: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (primary school age)?
Teaching us about it in the first place. Not putting us in a tight box for 6 years. Accepting and nurturing children who choose to be interested in things which strictly aren't for their sex and let them know its okay instead of forcing them to play with other things or take part in different activities.
Q6: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (secondary school age)?
Not having clueless teachers being offensive without even thinking or knowing about it. Learning from an earlier age so that when puberty hits im not confused, waiting for a class chat on bits and bobs and changes.
Q7: Who/what age group do you feel needs teaching about gender related issues and facts the most?
Q8: What resources are most important in the fight to equality, understanding and acceptance? (posters, guides, websites, stickers, other)
Websites, guides, information easily accessible, seminars for adults who aren't clued up, fun classroom chats with children
Q9: Is there any other support methods or things that could help solve the ignorance surrounding this issue?
More trans groups and safe spaces. More reputable, accurate and non-tumblr information on the issues, members of the LGBTQIA community standing with us not against us (I.e gay men insisting trans is wrong, or lesbians saying you cant be a boy and a girl or neither etc)
THREE
Q1: What pro-nouns do you choose to identify with? And what is the definition (in your opinion) of this pronoun?
She- female
They - androgynous
Male to female transsexual- medical
Gender queer - doesn't fit in one box
Q2: At what age did you first realise you weren't cis (female/male assigned at birth)?
6
Q3: At what age did you come out as (insert pronoun)?
22
Q4: Was your gender ever discussed within education? And did this provide help and support?
no
Q5: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (primary school age)?
A reduction of cultural norms like boys / girls toys so that the gender spectrum becomes less binary.
Q6: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (secondary school age)?
Just that it isn't black and white
Q7: Who/what age group do you feel needs teaching about gender related issues and facts the most?
Q8: What resources are most important in the fight to equality, understanding and acceptance? (posters, guides, websites, stickers, other)
Popular culture to change cultural perspective. (TV, magazines)
Q9: Is there any other support methods or things that could help solve the ignorance surrounding this issue?
YouTube
FOUR
Q1: What pro-nouns do you choose to identify with? And what is the definition (in your opinion) of this pronoun?
i use she/her atm but would love to be labeled as he/him as it symbolizes masculinity and that to me means i pass
Q2: At what age did you first realise you weren't cis (female/male assigned at birth)?
12
Q3: At what age did you come out as (insert pronoun)?
i came out to my best friend at 13
Q4: Was your gender ever discussed within education? And did this provide help and support?
no no NO nothing of the sort. no education like that the only thing we get taught is that a penis and a vagina go together and their thats sex nothing about gender or anything like that :(
Q5: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (primary school age)?
oh god just awareness that this exists and gender (mental born) is not your sex (physical born)
Q6: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (secondary school age)?
people who are genderqueer to go to school to tell people ITS FUCKING OK :)
Q7: Who/what age group do you feel needs teaching about gender related issues and facts the most?
Q8: What resources are most important in the fight to equality, understanding and acceptance? (posters, guides, websites, stickers, other)
stickers are always great as people can keep them visible. adverts are GREAT and more documentaries on gender
Q9: Is there any other support methods or things that could help solve the ignorance surrounding this issue?
educate people on the fact gender has nothing to do with the junk you're born with :)
FIVE
Q1: What pro-nouns do you choose to identify with? And what is the definition (in your opinion) of this pronoun?
He/him/his , definition to me is someone who identifies as a man
Q2: At what age did you first realise you weren't cis (female/male assigned at birth)?
I had thoughts through growing up but brushed them off because was kind of in denial but I realised fully when I was 19
Q3: At what age did you come out as (insert pronoun)?
I came out as transgender when I was 19
Q4: Was your gender ever discussed within education? And did this provide help and support?
It was never discussed
Q5: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (primary school age)?
For the understanding of gender to be taught in PSHE and enforced by teachers engagement during primary school life
Q6: What things could of improved your education on the gender spectrum when growing up (secondary school age)?
The same as primary school
Q7: Who/what age group do you feel needs teaching about gender related issues and facts the most?
Q8: What resources are most important in the fight to equality, understanding and acceptance? (posters, guides, websites, stickers, other)
Social media
Q9: Is there any other support methods or things that could help solve the ignorance surrounding this issue?
Respondent skipped this question
What did I take from this primary research?
1. Pro nouns need to be discussed more; less definitive within education from a young age
2. Many know they are not cis from a young age but fear coming out until later life
3. Non-binary gender is not discussed in education, even to those suffering with issues surrounding this
Things that could improve education...
1. Less defining colours, words and school uniforms for boys and girls.
2. Learning before/during puberty so it's a less confusing time
3. The difference and distinction between birth gender and mental gender being explained
Physical suggestions...
1. Websites
2. Posters
3. TV/film/documentary
4. Stickers
5. Online communities
6. Magazines
Main age groups to consider
4-10
11-21
50+
I need to consider which age group to target specifically for this brief as this will hugely affect the outcome and approach.
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