Transgendered boy in classroom...

[Anonymous]

There is a child our kindergarten classroom who is living life as a girl i.e. wears dresses to schools, identifies as a girl and calls herself a girl, but uses the boys bathroom. Our child has asked a couple questions already and we haven't had any feedback from the school or teachers on how to approach questions. So far I have said "Sam" is a girl in boy's body. Has anyone ever had this occur and how did your school handle the questions from children and parents? TIA.

[Anonymous]

First of all, I commend you for not being judgmental. I hope that the rest of the posters on this thread react the same way. If I were you, I'd call the administration and ask them to bring someone in (there are people at Children's who specialize in gender indentity) to talk to any interested parents about this topic and how to best answer your children's questions at age 5.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure this isn't just a kindergartener acting out? Is the school even aware of the behavior since school presumably just started?

[Anonymous]

I agree with 20:24. I've known some transgendered kids and they have it tough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First of all, I commend you for not being judgmental. I hope that the rest of the posters on this thread react the same way. If I were you, I'd call the administration and ask them to bring someone in (there are people at Children's who specialize in gender indentity) to talk to any interested parents about this topic and how to best answer your children's questions at age 5.

Great suggestion-Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Sounds messed up.

[Anonymous]

Ask the parents for guidance, or ask the school to ask the parents. We also have a transgendered boy at our school. The parents could write an open letter to the parents of the classmates, or at least offer some book suggestions that the school could share with parents.

[Anonymous]

In Kindergarten?
Holy cow! My heart aches for this kid, and hope the school is supportive.

Is this PG county or DCPS? Curious how different districts handle this.

[Anonymous]

The Human Rights Campaign has great materials for this. Visit www.hrc.org and look at the "Welcoming Schools" program and the materials on transgendered people and gender identity or call HRC at 202 216 1500 and ask for Family Project director Ellen Kahn.

Thank you for being interested in a supportive and informed approach to gender identity.

Lara Schwartz
Legal Director
Human Rights Campaign