LGBT Awareness Training Aims Identify what LGBT means

LGBT Awareness Training Aims: Identify what LGBT means Consider issues for the LGBT community Identify inclusive practise Learn about challenging inappropriate language

What does it all mean? Coming to terms with the terminology?

DEFINITION Males who are sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to other Males ANSWER Gay Females who are sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to other Females Lesbian A person who feels no sexual attraction to anyone of any gender identity Asexual A person who is attracted to both males and females Bisexual A person whose gender identity is non-binary and who is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to others regardless of their gender identity Polysexual A person whose gender identity fluidly changes between male, female, and neutral Gender Fluid A person who feels little to no sexual attraction to anyone of any gender identity Grey-sexual A person who is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to people of all genders Pansexual

DEFINITION An umbrella term for a person who exhibits both male and female characteristics and gender identities ANSWER Androgynous A person who dresses in clothing opposite their gender Transvestite A gender identity structure that allows for only male and female gender identities Bi-gender A gender identity structure that embraces a rainbow of genders instead of strictly male or female Non-Binary A person with both male and female genitalia Hermaphrodite A person who emotionally and psychologically feels that they belong to the gender opposite of birth assignment Transsexual A person whose gender identity is different than that assigned at birth Transgender Males or females who are sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to people of the opposite gender Heterosexual

Gender & Sex People often use the terms ‘gender’ and ‘sex’ interchangeably when talking about a person being male or female. This is because for the majority of people the question of gender or sex is a fact that is as obvious to them as their hair or eye colour. However, the terms are very different and apply to different aspects of a person’s identity.

The Basics SEX Sex is assigned at birth and refers to a person’s biological status as either male or female. It is associated mainly with physical attributes such as chromosomes, hormones, and external and internal anatomy. IDENTITY Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for males or females. These socially developed views influence the way that people act, interact and feel about themselves.

What does Transgender mean? Transgender, abbreviated to trans, is a broad category It simply means that a person’s sense of their gender doesn’t match their physical body and gender assigned at birth Words such as “Transvestite” and “Transsexual” are regarded by many people as outdated Using old terminology can be offensive if not used correctly Other gender identities have become common in recent years, e. g. “gender fluid” and “non-binary”.

Getting to the facts Common misunderstandings Some people are not aware that Gender Dysphoria is a medical condition Some of the public think trans people are confused Others believe that it is expressing a gay sexuality Some people refer to it as a “lifestyle”. It is often assumed transgender people hate their bodies

Gender and sexuality Sexuality and sexual orientation Can trans people be gay? The labels many people use to describe their sexuality might be: gay, straight, or bisexual. Being transgender is about an individual’s gender identity (whether they identify as male, female or somewhere between the two). Basically, an individual’s sexuality is related to who they are attracted to. As with non-trans people, some trans people identify as straight, some as gay and some as bisexual. Remember, these are just labels; some people (trans and non-trans) refuse to use conventional sexual orientation labels to describe who they are attracted to.

How you feel is who you are

Leo’s story, part 1

Growing up trans Children get cues early on about appropriate behaviour. Society has expectations for a child’s gender behaviour. Princesses and fairies, action heroes, blue for boys, pink for girls, dolls, football, hair length, all of these things are picked up and learnt.

Group discussion Please discuss the following in your groups: “In what places and in which situations might transgender people be discriminated against, or feel vulnerable”. Please write down your answers for discussion ?

Vulnerability Discrimination hurts! People are treated as offenders against society’s values or morally degenerate when in fact they have a medical condition Trans people are often subjected to hostility in the form of verbal and physical abuse from their own families or from transphobic hate crimes in wider society Risk of associated emotional and mental health problems, family breakdown, loss of home Other risks include Joblessness and poverty, hopelessly long waiting times for treatment Because of this many choose to live in secret

A trans person should be able to use the toilet that corresponds to their gender identity. There is no rule that a person must look a certain way to use a certain restroom. This kind of ‘gender policing’ is harmful to everyone, whether a transgender person, a butch woman, an effeminate man or anyone dressed or groomed in a way that doesn’t conform to someone else’s gender standards.

What can be done to make transgender peoples’ lives better? Treat people in accordance with the equality act as you would for other minorities Find out correct pronouns and name, don’t knowingly use old ones (known as dead naming) There is no need to draw attention to a transgender person Never use inappropriate terminology Try to become an ally to the trans person / persons Take each person on their merits until you know more about their background Be conscious that someone could be transgender without you realising.

Discussion Please discuss the following in your sub-groups: What kind of situations are likely to arise in an education establishment/workplace that would negatively affect a transgender person? What can we do to improve those situations and provide a better experience for transgender people? Please write down your answers for discussion with the full group. ?

Leo’s story, part 2

Challenging Homophobic Language ?

Useful links A glossary of transgender-related terms put together by the Q: Alliance: http: //qalliance. org. uk/trans-glossary Information from the Government regarding discrimination and peoples’ rights: https: //www. gov. uk/discrimination-your-rights The part of the Equality Act, 2010, referring to people undergoing Gender Reassignment. http: //www. legislation. gov. uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/7/enacted Information from the NHS about the medical condition of Gender Dysphoria: http: //www. nhs. uk/Conditions/Gender-dysphoria/Pages/Treatment. aspx

Thank You