In this video, four intersex individuals talk about the meaning of intersex, their personal identities, the difference between gender identity and biological characteristics, and "normalizing" surgery. In the biology classroom, this video is a way to supplement textbooks and other curricular resources that may pathologize and anonymize the topic of intersex traits.
Psychologists recognize that TGNC people are more likely to experience positive life outcomes when they receive social support or trans-affirmative care. (APA)
Source: American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People. American Psychologist, 70 (9), 832-864. doi: 10.1037/a0039906
Guideline 11. Psychologists recognize that TGNC people are more likely to experience positive life outcomes when they receive social support or trans-affirmative care.
Research has primarily shown positive treatment outcomes when TGNC adults and adolescents receive TGNC-affirmative medical and psychological services (i.e., psychotherapy, hormones, surgery; Byne et al., 2012; R. Carroll, 1999; Cohen-Kettenis, Delemarre-van de Waal, & Gooren, 2008; Davis & Meier, 2014; De Cuypere et al., 2006; Gooren, Giltay, & Bunck, 2008; Kuhn et al., 2009), although sample sizes are frequently small with no population-based studies. In a meta-analysis of the hormone therapy treatment literature with TGNC adults and adolescents, researchers reported that 80% of participants receiving trans-affirmative care experienced an improved quality of life, decreased gender dysphoria, and a reduction in negative psychological symptoms (Murad et al., 2010).
In addition, TGNC people who receive social support about their gender identity and gender expression have improved outcomes and quality of life (Brill & Pepper, 2008; Pinto, Melendez, & Spector, 2008).
Several studies indicate that family acceptance of TGNC adolescents and adults is associated with decreased rates of negative outcomes, such as depression, suicide, and HIV risk behaviors and infection (Bockting et al., 2013; Dhejne et al., 2011; Grant et al., 2011; Liu & Mustanski, 2012; Ryan, 2009).
Family support is also a strong protective factor for TGNC adults and adolescents (Bockting et al., 2013; Moody & Smith, 2013; Ryan et al., 2010).
TGNC people, however, frequently experience blatant or subtle antitrans prejudice, discrimination, and even violence within their families (Bradford et al., 2007). Such family rejection is associated with higher rates of HIV infection, suicide, incarceration, and homelessness for TGNC adults and adolescents (Grant et al., 2011; Liu & Mustanski, 2012). Family rejection and lower levels of social support are significantly correlated with depression (Clements-Nolle et al., 2006; Ryan, 2009).
Many TGNC people seek support through peer relationships, chosen families, and communities in which they may be more likely to experience acceptance (Gonzalez & McNulty, 2010; Nuttbrock et al., 2009).
Peer support from other TGNC people has been found to be a moderator between antitrans discrimination and mental health, with higher levels of peer support associated with better mental health (Bockting et al., 2013).
Works cited:
Bockting, W. O., Miner, M. H., Swinburne Romine, R. E., Hamilton, A., & Coleman, E. (2013). Stigma, mental health, and resilience in an online sample of the US transgender population. American Journal of Public Health, 103, 943–951. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013 .301241
Brill, S., & Pepper, R. (2008). The transgender child: A handbook for families and professionals. San Francisco, CA: Cleis Press.
Byne, W., Bradley, S. J., Coleman, E., Eyler, A. E., Green, R., Menvielle, E. J., . . . American Psychiatric Association Task Force on Treatment of Gender Identity Disorder. (2012). Report of the American Psychiatric Association Task Force on Treatment of Gender Identity Disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41, 759 –796. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/ s10508-012-9975-x
Carroll, R. (1999). Outcomes of treatment for gender dysphoria. Journal of Sex Education & Therapy, 24, 128 –136.
Clements-Nolle, K., Marx, R., & Katz, M. (2006). Attempted suicide among transgender persons: The influence of gender-based discrimination and victimization. Journal of Homosexuality, 51, 53– 69. http://dx .doi.org/10.1300/J082v51n03_04
Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., Delemarre-van de Waal, H. A., & Gooren, L. J. G. (2008). The treatment of adolescent transsexuals: Changing insights. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5, 1892–1897. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j .1743-6109.2008.00870.x
Davis, S. A., & Meier, S. C. (2014). Effects of testosterone treatment and chest reconstruction surgery on mental health and sexuality in femaleto-male transgender people. International Journal of Sexual Health, 26, 113–128. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2013.833152
De Cuypere, G., Elaut, E., Heylens, G., Van Maele, G., Selvaggi, G., T’Sjoen, G.,... Monstrey, S. (2006). Long-term follow-up: Psychosocial outcomes of Belgian transsexuals after sex reassignment surgery. Sexologies, 15, 126 –133. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2006.04.002
Dhejne, C., Lichtenstein, P., Boman, M., Johansson, A. L. V., Långström, N., & Landén, M. (2011). Long-term follow-up of transsexual persons undergoing sex reassignment surgery: Cohort study in Sweden. PLoS ONE, 6(2), e16885. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016885
Gooren, L. J., Giltay, E. J., Bunck, M. C. (2008). Long-term treatment of transsexuals with cross-sex hormones: Extensive personal experience. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, 93, 19 –25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2007-1809
Grant, J. M., Mottet, L. A., Tanis, J., Harrison, J., Herman, J. L., & Kiesling, M. (2011). Injustice at every turn: A report of the national transgender discrimination survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality & National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Retrieved from http://endtransdiscrimination.org/PDFs/NTDS_Report .pdf
Kuhn, A., Brodmer, C., Stadlmayer, W., Kuhn, P., Mueller, M. D., & Birkhauser, M. (2009). Quality of life 15 years after sex reassignment surgery for transsexualism. Fertility and Sterility, 92, 1685–1689. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.126
Liu, R. T., & Mustanski, B. (2012). Suicidal ideation and self-harm in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42, 221–228. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre .2011.10.023
Moody, C. L., & Smith, N. G. (2013). Suicide protective factors among trans adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42, 739 –752. http://dx.doi .org/10.1007/s10508-013-0099-8
Murad, M. H., Elamin, M. B., Garcia, M. Z., Mullan, R. J., Murad, A., Erwin, P. J., & Montori, V. M. (2010). Hormonal therapy and sex reassignment: A systemic review and meta-analysis of quality of life and psychosocial outcomes.Clinical Endocrinology, 72, 214 –231. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03625.x
Pinto, R. M., Melendez, R. M., & Spector, A. Y. (2008). Male-to-female transgender individuals building social support and capital from within a gender-focused network. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 20, 203–220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10538720802235179
Ryan, C. (2009). Supportive families, healthy children: Helping families with lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender children. San Francisco, CA: Family Acceptance Project, Marian Wright Edelman Institute, SanFrancisco State University. Retrieved from http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/files/FAP_English%20Booklet_pst.pdf
Ryan, C., Russell, S. T., Huebner, D., Diaz, R., & Sanchez, J. (2010). Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. Journal of Child and Adolescence and the Health of LGBT Young Adults, 23, 205–213.
Doctor's Rec: 64,000+ pediatricians recommend gender-affirming treatment for children based on best available evidence
A September 2015 presentation from the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that treatment recommendations are based on the best available evidence. Their guidance defined three approaches to gender dysphoria in children: “corrective,” “supporting,” and “affirming,” with the AAP advising the “affirming” approach to gender dysphoria in children.
Sources:
Kim Lacapria. (2016) American Pediatricians Issue Statement That Transgenderism Is ‘Child Abuse’? It was an official-sounding but fringe group of politically motivated pediatricians who issued a statement on gender, not the respected American Academy of Pediatrics. Snopes (6 May 2016) (pdf).
Robert Garofalo. (2015) Understanding Gender Nonconformity in Childhood and Adolescence. American Academy of Pediatrics (September 2015). (pdf).
Doctor's Rec: Statement from American Academy of Pediatrics
The official American Academy of Pediatrics published (link to summary article) 9 clear recommendations for caring for youth and adolescents who identify as transgender or gender-diverse.
I highlight the portions that specify providing health care according to what the youth wants, especially to match the youth’s gender expression. Not parent, guardian, teacher, staff member, administrator, guidance counselor, etc.
[Aside: You may have heard a FoxNews Glenn Beck headline about an anti-gay-marriage hate group calling itself “American Pediatricians” creating a hoax claiming supporting a transgender youth is abuse. Read more about how Snopes debunked this, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics’ internal presentation recommending affirming a child’s gender expression (pdf). —RXS]
1. that youth who identify as TGD have access to comprehensive, gender-affirming, and developmentally appropriate health care that is provided in a safe and inclusive clinical space;
2. that family-based therapy and support be available to recognize and respond to the emotional and mental health needs of parents, caregivers, and siblings of youth who identify as TGD;
3. that electronic health records, billing systems, patient-centered notification systems, and clinical research be designed to respect the asserted gender identity of each patient while maintaining confidentiality and avoiding duplicate charts;
4. that insurance plans offer coverage for health care that is specific to the needs of youth who identify as TGD, including coverage for medical, psychological, and, when indicated, surgical gender-affirming interventions;
5. that provider education, including medical school, residency, and continuing education, integrate core competencies on the emotional and physical health needs and best practices for the care of youth who identify as TGD and their families;
6. that pediatricians have a role in advocating for, educating, and developing liaison relationships with school districts and other community organizations to promote acceptance and inclusion of all children without fear of harassment, exclusion, or bullying because of gender expression;
7. that pediatricians have a role in advocating for policies and laws that protect youth who identify as TGD from discrimination and violence;
8. that the health care workforce protects diversity by offering equal employment opportunities and workplace protections, regardless of gender identity or expression; and
9. that the medical field and federal government prioritize research that is dedicated to improving the quality of evidence-based care for youth who identify as TGD.
Citation:
Jason Rafferty (2018) Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics Sep 2018, e20182162; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-2162 (direct pdf)
Disrupt Education #118: Gender-Inclusive Biology
Peter Hostrawser hosts a podcast called Disrupt Education, and recently spoke with us about growing a gender-inclusive biology curriculum. Thanks Peter, for hosting us and for helping spread the word about our developing work. ● Visit Peter’s website at https://www.disrupteducation.co to see more of his work in education.
Sam Long (he/him) and River Suh (they/them or he/him) are science teachers in Colorado and San Francisco respectively. They have a unique focus on gender-inclusive biology content. This means teaching topics like genetics, reproduction, and evolution in ways that affirm rather than omit or marginalize LGBTQ+ identities. The are a part of a group with one other trans science teacher who have been doing this work in their classrooms for many years. Recently they began training other teachers and publishing essays, and compiling web resources (in progress) on this topic. They are experts in this emerging area of education. River and Sam talk about the need for diverse and accurate biology curriculum, how it benefits all students, and how it looks in practice.
Gender-inclusive Biology curriculum, research, advocacy resources, and newsletter https://www.genderinclusivebiology.com/
Check out Sam and Lewis' workshops at HRC Time To Thrive (February 14-16, 2020) http://timetothrive.org/agenda/schedule and the NSTA National Conference (April 2-5, 2020) https://s6.goeshow.com/nsta/national/2020/overview.cfm
Form: Student Pronoun & Name Do Now
Lesson Plan: Animal Patterns of Reproduction
In this lesson, students learn briefly about the reproductive strategies nine different animal species. Student use a tally to track what strategies are most common - for example, male competition, female mate choice. More unique patterns like sex-changing clownfish and touch-mediated sex development are included within the nine species.
When I taught this lesson, students learned about each species through short video recordings of teachers in our school describing the species. For more general use, I changed the lesson as posted on this website to have students do online research instead of watching the videos.
NSTA Position Statement on Gender Equity in Science Education
In November 2019, The National Science Teaching Association adopted a revised position statement on gender equity in science education. The statement broadens the scope of gender equity from girls vs. boys, to supporting students of any sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Family Acceptance of LGBT Youth Protects Against Suicide, Depression & Substance Abuse and Predicts Better Health & Self-Esteem (Journal of School Health)
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender-related school victimization is strongly linked to young adult mental health and risk for STDs and HIV; there is no strong association with substance use or abuse.
Elevated levels of depression and suicidal ideation among males can be explained by their high rates of LGBT school victimization.
Citation: Russell ST, Ryan C, Toomey RB, Diaz RM, Sanchez J. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescent school victimization: implications for young adult health and adjustment. J Sch Health. 2011; 81: 223-230. (pdf)
Using a Transgender Person's Name Can Decrease Their Risk of Depression and Suicide (Teen Vogue)
A new study from The University of Texas at Austin has shed light on the importance of name usage for transgender youth. The study, which was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in preparation for the annual Transgender Day of Visibility, concluded that when young transgender people are able to use their names in areas of everyday life, their risk of suicide and depression decreases.
They found that young people who could use their names in all four scenarios experienced 71% fewer symptoms of depression, 34% fewer symptoms of suicidal ideation, and a 65% decrease in attempted suicide than those who were not able to use their names.
Read the article here: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/using-transgender-persons-name-decrease-risk-of-depression-suicide
Same-sex attraction & behavior are more common than LGB identity (Advance Data; Annals of Internal Medicine)
Source: http://www.lgbthealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/LGBT-Health-Care-for-Asian-Americans.pdf
References:
Mosher WD, et al. (2005) Sexual behavior and selected health measures: men and women 15-44 years of age, United States, 2002. Advance Data; 2005:362.
Pathela P, et al. (2006) Discordance between sexual behavior and self-reported sexual identity: a population-based survey of New York City men. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145(6):416-425.
Using Chosen Names Reduces Odds of Depression and Suicide in Transgender Youths (Journal of Adolescent Health)
After interviewing 129 youths in 3 US cities, the researchers found that having even one context in which a chosen name could be used was associated with a 29 percent decrease in suicidal thoughts.
The research was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health and supported by the UT Population Research Center and a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Citation: Stephen T. Russell, Amanda M. Pollitt, Gu Li, & Arnold H. Grossman. (2018) Chosen Name Use Is Linked to Reduced Depressive Symptoms, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicidal Behavior Among Transgender Youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 63, Issue 4, 503 - 505. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.02.003
Transgender youths four times as likely to engage in substance use; linked to depression & bullying
Summary: Based on 621,189 California kids in a 3-year time period, researchers found that transgender youth were 2.5 to 4 times as likely to experience suicidal ideation compared to non-transgender youth. Based on the data, authors identify depression and school bullying as major explanations for this trend, and make further recommendations.
Citation: Amaya Perez-Brumer, Jack K. Day, Stephen T. Russell, Mark L. Hatzenbuehler. (2017) Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Among Transgender Youth in California: Findings From a Representative, Population-Based Sample of High School Students. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Volume 56, Issue 9, 2017, Pages 739-746, ISSN 0890-8567, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.06.010 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856717303167)
Victimization of Transgender Youths Linked to Suicidal Thoughts, Substance Abuse (Journal of Adolescent Health)
In two peer-reviewed papers, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have found that transgender adolescents are twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts as the general population, and they are up to four times as likely to engage in substance use. Depression and school-based victimization factored heavily into the disparities in both cases.
Read more: https://cns.utexas.edu/news/victimization-of-transgender-youths-linked-to-suicidal-thoughts-substance-abuse
Lesson Plan — Chimera Butterflies: Non-Binary Animals (K-2)
Source: Welcoming Schools (HRC)
Chimera Butterflies: Non-Binary Animals
OBJECTIVES
• Students will learn about Chimera butterflies that are both female and male.
• Students will engage in a discussion and art activity that will help them understand
what the concept non-binary means.
• Students will create a colorful butterfly that is unique to them.
School Victimization of Gender-Nonconforming LGBT Youth Linked with Depression and Quality Of Life In Adulthood (Developmental Psychology)
From the American Psychological Association (which historically pathologized LGBT+ behavior), researchers found that bullying over LGBT status alone is completely responsible for how well that 13 to 19 year-old associates with gender as an adult.
We also found that school victimization due to LGBT status between the ages of 13 and 19 fully accounts for the associations between gender nonconformity and young adult adjustment, measured as depression and life satisfaction.
The researchers also analyzed their data to make sure other kinds of bullying weren’t responsible for depression and happiness.
However, school victimization for other reasons does not mediate this association.
This effect of bullying on the gender development of queer youth affects youth of all genders equally.
On the other hand, we did not find support for our hypothesis that the strength between gender nonconformity and school LGBT victimization would be stronger for boys. The process through which early gender nonconformity affects later psychosocial adjustment is similar for boys and girls.
Homophobic bullying in particular continues on into the young adult years and negatively impacts quality of life.
We found that the negative impact of specifically homophobic school victimization continues into the young adult years and affects quality of life and capacity to enjoy life.
The researchers do recommend that school policies specifically prohibiting queer-targeted bullying will reduce these negative outcomes.
Enactment of school policies that specifically prohibit victimization due to LGBT status, gender nonconformity, and other types of bias-related harassment can help reduce negative psychosocial outcomes in LGBT and gender-nonconforming young people. Thus, although it is clear that all victimization should be prohibited in schools, these findings specifically indicate the need for antibullying policies that enumerate categories often targeted by bullies.
The authors also seem thoughtful about how they are considering their transgender participants:
We also tested the model without transgender participants. The findings (available upon request) were similar to the results based on the full sample (i.e., the indirect pathway was significant and all pathways were of similar strength and the same direction). On the basis of these results, and because our measure of LGBT school victimization was inclusive of transgender experiences, we present finding based on the full sample.
Citation: Russell B. Toomey, Caitlyn Ryan, Rafael M. Diaz, Noel A. Card, & Stephen T. Russell. (2010) Gender-Nonconforming Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: School Victimization and Young Adult Psychosocial Adjustment. Developmental Psychology 2010, Vol. 46, No. 6, 1580-1589. (pdf)
Groundbreaking Research on Family Rejection of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adolescents Establishes Predictive Link to Negative Health Outcomes (Pediatrics)
On the basis of odds ratios, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection.
Latino men reported the highest number of negative family reactions to their sexual orientation in adolescence.
Researchers have established a link between rejecting behaviors of families towards lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents and negative health problems in early adulthood.
Published in the January 2009 issue of Pediatrics, journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Citation: Caitlin Ryan, David Huebner, Rafael M. Diaz, Jorge Sanchez. Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults. Pediatrics Jan 2009, 123 (1) 346-352; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-3524 (link to abstract)
A Biology Teacher Just Destroyed Every Excuse for Transphobia With Cold, Hard Facts (Observer)
A few of the facts that biology teacher Grace Pokela shares:
sex chromosomal variety: Insects use an XO sex determination system, while birds use the ZW system.
environmental factors for sex: A reptile’s sex is at least partly determined by the temperature in which the egg develops.
hermaphroditism: Flatworms transfer sperm through a process called penis fencing (which is described in graphic detail here).
hermaphroditism & sex change: In clownfish colonies, dominance is based on size, the female being the largest and the male being the second largest. If the female dies, the male gains weight and becomes the female for that group.
Editor’s note: The term "hermaphrodite" is appropriate for referring to non-human animals with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. For humans, “intersex” is the appropriate term—learn more here!
transgender behavior: Other fish species take on female attributes while mating, and they release sperm in the process.
2+ sexes: Fungi like molds and mushrooms have 36,000 sexes.
In humans, 5-alpha-reductase deficiency is a real (albeit rare) condition, in which young women grow a penis during puberty.
In humans, androgen insensitivity syndrome (AHS) is an intersex condition in which a person who is genetically male is resistant to male hormones . As a result, the person has some or all of the physical traits of a woman, but the genetic makeup of a man.
In humans, the SRY gene is involved in male sexual development—without it fetuses can be genetically male (with XY chromosomes) but have a female body. The same is true in females (with XX chromosomes), who can develop a male body without the SRY gene.
In humans, XXY males are sterile, with small testes—while women with only one X chromosome (a condition called Turner syndrome) are infertile and don’t go through puberty. Males with two X chromosomes (called Klinefelter syndrome) are taller, with a higher risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis.
Read more at https://observer.com/2017/03/transgender-facebook-troll-biology-sexuality/
Diagram of Human Reproductive Process
Early in my teaching career I modified an existing diagram to create this image which shows how meiosis in testes and ovaries functions to complete the human life cycle. I could not in good conscience use existing diagrams where the two rows were labeled “Mother” and “Father”, “Woman” and “Man”, in text colored pink and blue, etc.. I needed something that precisely communicated the structures and processes involved, in a way that was simple for my students. Reflecting back, the phrases in parentheses may or may not be necessary depending on the audience. - Sam
The Evolutionary Puzzle of Homosexuality
In BBC News, William Kremer discusses how homosexuality in humans and animal species may fit in with the theory of evolution.