Addressing sexual and gender diversity in the classroom

For an outside observer, the sexual diversity movement may seem strange. Already, we had to understand homosexuality, that science proves well that it is not a deviance but a natural tendency. Moreover, it is observed in many animal species. Then began to manifest more bisexuals, people who have attractions for both genders.

As time went on, transsexuality (and gender dysphoria), pansexuality, non-binarity, etc., were added. Today, the full acronym for talking about diversity looks like this: LGBTIQQA2s+. This is perplexing. This name comes from the growing social openness, allowing individuals to feel freer in their self-assertion. On the other hand, it adds more complexity to sex education. Yet, it seems essential in order to offer a realistic portrayal of all shades of gray in gender and sexual identity.

Decoding the acronym

Already, one must come to understand the meaning of the different letters: LGBTIQQA2s+. The first four are the simplest because they are the most repeated: L for lesbian (female attracted to females), G for gay (male attracted to males), B for bisexual, and T for transgender (not identifying with the gender assigned at birth). Then add the others which we will summarize as follows:

• I for intersex, meaning a person with genetic and physical characteristics that make them not fit into the binarity "male" or "female";
  
  
• the first Q for "queer" which was originally an insult to people of sexual diversity but now reappropriated by those whose sexual identity or orientation is gender non-conforming or fluid;
  
  
• the second Q for questioning, so individuals who are still unsure of how to identify themselves whether in terms of gender or attractions;
  
  
• the A for grouping asexuals and aromantics, among others, so people who either don't seek out sexual or romantic relationships. This letter can also bring together allies of the movement;
  
  
• the 2s refers to the idea of two-spirited people having a female and male spirit in the same body. A concept that comes from the First Nations peoples in America, especially.

Now, even with the meaning of the acronym, there are often many questions left. Already, many people confuse "gender identity" with "sexual orientation" when the two are not related. Men who cross-dress, for example, are not necessarily all homosexual. A transgender person designated female at birth transitioning as male will not necessarily become heterosexual. This lengthy article from Clinique Psychologie Québec does a good job of explaining all the differences in this tricky issue. In fact, people in transition need to be followed by psychological help to support them in their process.

Each group has to fight every day in order to be recognized and to dismantle the clichés. For example, in a world that links success in love with the frequency of carnal intercourse, it becomes difficult for asexuals to believe that they will be able to find love. As for transgender or non-binary people, despite the place being slowly made in the public sphere, it is still surrounded by taboos. The society having based the majority of the gender identity on a binarity, they are still many to get lost in it. Fortunately for them, science tends to show more and more that no, there are not only two genders in the human brain. An A.I. study reportedly proved the presence of nine.

How to talk about it

So the question remains how to deal with these issues in a school curriculum. Because, of course, parents can address questions about the topic at home. Still, they need to be equipped and comfortable talking about these topics. Many will say that the issue of gender identity cannot be taught to elementary school youth. Sure, they won't understand terms like "cisgender" or "binarity," but they can grasp the idea very well that a person can be who they really are without judgment. Many children's movies already emphasize this moral without talking about LGBT+ issues. Teaching them to respect one's identity and the identities of others will allow them to better navigate questioning times later and become better allies later in life.

In what context should this be done? Media can be a good way, especially with teens, to address gender issues. Does a commercial play on gender clichés? Is there an LGBT+ character in a story they've read or a show they've watched? This can be an opportunity to start a respectful discussion about these issues.

By the way, to talk about transgender, there are series or movies on the topic that can be basic teaching material. Be careful to check that it is appropriate for the age of the learners. On the Canadian Francophone side, different vignettes have been produced and offered at the start of the 2020 school year in order to address the various questions that teenagers might have. A content therefore calibrated and easy to use by the school environment.

At the end of the day, the idea is to instill the notion of respect for differences and the acceptance of them whether they or loved ones are concerned. Children and teenagers can completely understand the importance of these two notions. Thus, future generations will find absurd the idea of conversion therapies. >Bit by bit, health or social service professionals will not need to be trained to address people from sexual and gender diversity. Whether in Europe, Africa or elsewhere, there are ways to slowly educate youth and adults about the reality of those peers, neighbors, colleagues and others from sexual and gender diversity.

Illustration : Sharon McCutcheon from Pixabay

References :

Cottais, Camille. "Using Your Privileges To Be A Good Ally." The Rotunda. Last updated August 23, 2020.
https://www.larotonde.ca/se-servir-de-ses-privileges-pour-etre-un-e-bon-ne-allie-e/.

"Capsules On Sexual And Gender Diversity By And For Franco-Canadians." Radio-Canada.ca. Last updated September 23, 2020.
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1735194/capsules-francoqueer-diversite-education-jeunesse-franco-jeunes.

Groleau, Louise. "Sexuality Education: Why And How To Collaborate With The School?" Aidersonenfant.com. Last updated January 29, 2021.
https://aidersonenfant.com/education-a-la-sexualite-pourquoi-et-comment-collaborer-avec-lecole/.

"How Many Gender Subtypes Exist in the Brain?" Neuroscience News. Last updated February 17, 2020.
https://neurosciencenews.com/machine-learning-gender-15717/.

"How to Talk to School Staff and Parents About Gender Identity." USC Rossier. Last updated August 6, 2020.
https://rossieronline.usc.edu/blog/talking-about-students-and-gender/.

"Gender Identity, Transgender, LGBT: Portrait D'un éventail De Possibilités." Clinique De Psychologie Quebec. Last updated August 26, 2020.
https://cliniquepsychologiequebec.com/identite-de-genre-transgenre-lgbt-portrait-dun-eventail-de-possibilites/.

Müller, Alex."(PDF) Strategies to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Health Professions Education." ResearchGate. Last updated February 2015.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279512948_Strategies_to_include_sexual_orientation_and_gender_identity_in_health_professions_education.

"What to Watch to Learn More About Transgender Experiences." Proximus. Last updated December 7, 2020.
https://www.proximus.be/pickx/fr/2100218/que-regarder-pour-en-apprendre-davantage-sur-le-vecu-des-personnes-transgenres.

Salway, Travis. "Promoting LGBTQ2 Mental Health Through an End to Conversion Therapy: The Role of Public Health." National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. Last updated March 22, 2020.
https://nccdh.ca/fr/latest-news/entry/promoting-lgbtq2-mental-health.

Smith, Samuel. "Learning About What It Means to Be Asexual." The Towerlight. Last updated September 26, 2020.
https://thetowerlight.com/learning-about-what-it-means-to-be-asexual/.

"Talking to Kids About Gender and Sexual Orientation." Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Last updated June 25, 2020.
https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/talking-to-kids-about-gender-and-sexual-orientation.

"Tips for Talking to Young People About Sexual Identity." Educare Specialist Services. Last updated November 13, 2020.
https://www.educare.net.au/tips-for-talking-to-young-people-about-sexual-identity/.

Tse, Chloe. "LGBTQ+ Terms You Keep Hearing and What They Mean." Slice. Last updated September 16, 2020.
https://www.slice.ca/lgbtq-terms-you-keep-hearing-and-what-they-mean/.