1. Gender identity A guide
A lesson is just the name I've given to separate pieces of information.
Gender identity
A guide

2. If you woke up tomorrow morning with the body of the opposite sex, would you still feel like you?
This could be a point for discussion but the following slide also includes a video on this topic.

3. If Trans People Said What Cis People Say
That's what being trans is similar to.
They are not trying to become a different gender, they are trying to become more comfortable in their body.
The three videos are helpful in understanding.
#TransStories
If Trans People Said What Cis People Say
I'm Trans But I'm Not...

4. Part 1:
Terms to know
The following is not a complete list, and that should be understood. Gender is a wide variation and so the terms I have written down are not conclusive, and more research can be done by pupils on the topic if there is time or should they so wish.

5. What is Gender
Now, several important terms and definitions to know:
Cisgender –what does this mean?
this is the experience of most people, where your biological characteristics match your mental 'gender identity'
Transgender – what does this mean?
this is an umbrella term, meaning it covers a lot of different terms, including trans woman, trans man and anyone else who is not cisgender. Put very simply, if you are 'transgender', your biological characteristics or 'assigned sex' does not match your gender identity, which can lead to feelings of dysphoria, which we will discuss later.
Gender binary – any ideas what this means?
the idea that gender is binary, i.e. Either male or female. It's a false construct.
Non-binary or gender non-conforming –what does this mean?
a gender identity such as agender (the feeling of being genderless) or genderfluid (where your gender identity changes). Basically any gender identity that is not either male or female.
Gender identity - the private understanding of your own gender
Passing –what does this mean?
looking traditionally male or female
How do you understand/ know what your own gender is?
A Lesson in Gender Identity
Possibly brainstorm with class as to what makes them understand/know their gender.

6. Gender spectrum - see picture - the gender spectrum is the idea that gender does not exist in a binary, but as a continuum where you can be anywhere along it, or even not on it at all. (The picture is demonstrating that everyone's experience of gender is different.)
This is very important to understand and should be understood clearly by everyone in the class by the end of the lesson.

7. Part 2: Gender through the ages and cultures

8. Other cultures have always had multiple genders.
Does anyone know what The Native Americans call people who identify as a different gender?
They call this 'two-spirit' That is a Native person who feels that their body simultaneously manifests both a feminine and a masculine spirit.
In 1946, the first gender reassignment surgery to be carried out in the UK was performed by Sir Harold Gillies, on Roberta Cowell, the UK's first male to female (MTF) trans person to undergo surgery.
The Danish Girl

9. Part 3: Gender identities and why the gender binary doesn't exist

10. Take a look What is 'Intersex'?
There are lots and lots and lots of different gender identities, but first you have to understand that gender isn't binary, which means it is just one thing or the other.
Not even biological sex is binary. Humans don't just exist as male or female, intersex people exist too.
Take a look What is 'Intersex'?
Intersex people used to be called hermaphrodites, however this is now seen as biologically incorrect and offensive. So please don't say it.
Research task:
split into small groups and find a definition of each of the following gender identities: bigender, genderflux, demigender (demigirl or demiboy), trigender, neutrois, non-binary gender. Feedback to class.
bigender, genderflux, demigender (demigirl or demiboy), trigender, neutrois, non-binary gender.
Bigender is the feeling of having two distinct genders in one body, it can be any combination; male and female, male and agender, female and demiboy, etc.
Genderflux is another word for genderfluid as is used interchangeably by some people while some have a preference.
Demigender is the feeling of partial or semi identification with an identity, for example demiboy is the feeling of partial identification as a boy.
Trigender is the same as bigender, except with three distinct genders rather than two.
Neutrois is another word for agender.
Non-binary gender is a personally specific label which anyone who is not cisgender can use to define themselves.

11. Part 4: Sexuality does not equal gender

12. They are separate and THEY DO NOT MEAN THE SAME THING!
It doesn't.
Sexual attraction and gender are completely separate, see the (not conclusive) Venn diagram:
They are separate and THEY DO NOT MEAN THE SAME THING!
You can be any variation or combination that suits you.
Romantic attraction is a whole other thing as well. Types of Attraction
The Venn diagram is not complete, the words in the diagram are only a few genders and sexualities.

13. Part 5: The difference between expression and identity

14. And now the Genderbread Person!
Because Gender Identity does not have to match the way someone walks, talks or acts, or the clothes they wear or the way in which they do their hair, which is all considered 'gender expression'. So, take a look at the Genderbread Person!

15. Part 6: Pronouns and names

16. What is a pronoun?
Pronouns are words such as he, she or they; pronouns are incredibly important to trans people and you should always respect them- why do you think this?
However, there are actually many different gender neutral pronouns; take a look at this table:
Now watch this video: Why Pronouns Matter

17. Names are also very important
What is the practice of ‘dead naming’ somebody?
this is the practice of calling someone by their 'birth name' or by a name that they do not identify with.Why is this hurtful or rude?

18. Part 7: Respect, understanding and validity

19. Why is this such an important message?
You do not have to understand someone's gender identity, you just have to respect it.
Why is this such an important message?
This is very important, because your not understanding it, does not invalidate it. What do we mean by this?
Thirty percent of transgender teens and young adults have attempted suicide, and nearly 42% have engaged in some form of self-harm, according to a study published in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviour. Trans boys, those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) are at a slightly higher risk of this than trans girls (AMAB). Why?
This is extremely important for respect and the understanding of others.
AFAB - assigned female at birth
AMAB - assigned male at birth

20. Part 8: Trans inclusive sex education

21. Do not ever feel as if you have to have sex with someone. You don't.
Trans inclusive sex education is virtually never done, even though it's still massively important. Why do you think this?
So, very very basically: practice safe sex, consent and informed decision making by which I mean, you know your body and what you feel comfortable doing, so lay out your limits and discuss with your partner first so you are both on the same page about what you are and are not comfortable with as a trans person.
Do not ever feel as if you have to have sex with someone. You don't.
However! Do not ask Trans people 'how do you have sex?' as this is rude and disrespectful. Why is this rude? Is it also rude to ask gay people how they have sex?
Trans inclusive sex education is so rare but so vital because trans teenagers are so often the target of harassment and sexual assault.
Sex education is a logical venue to help all youth learn about sexual orientation and gender identity, and to encourage acceptance for LGBTQ people and families. When sex education is another area where LGBTQ youth are overlooked or actively stigmatised, however, it contributes to hostile school environments and places LGBTQ youth at increased risk for negative sexual health outcomes.

22. Part 9: Dysphoria and Euphoria

23. Part 7
What is dysphoria?
Dysphoria is the feeling of discontent or disconnection to certain parts of the body, usually experienced by a trans person.
What is euphoria?
Euphoria, as it sounds, is the opposite.
Very importantly, not every trans person experiences either of these and it is not necessary to experience them to be trans, as you define your own gender and you are always valid.

24. Part 10: Transitioning, Ops and hormones

25. Watch this: Science about Hormones
This is Jamie's story: An FTM Transition
This is a short video about Gender Non-Conforming Parents
Not everyone transitions physically, but this does not make that person any less trans.
Not everyone transitions physically. But this does not make them any less trans or any less their gender. This is extremely important.

26. Part 11:
Do's and Do Not's

27. Do:
Ask about pronouns if you are unsure
If you get pronouns wrong, apologise quickly and move on
Make an effort to get it right
Respect people

28. Do Not:
'Dead name' someone just because you do not like them, it's disrespectful and its bullying.
Touch people without consent, it's harassment.
Intentionally use the wrong pronouns, everyone deserves respect.
Ask people about their transition or how they have sex
Use derogatory slurs, including but not limited to 'shemale' or 'tranny'.
What Not To Say

29. Part 12: Self exploration
Self exploration is okay.
Researching words and ways of expressing what you feel is very very helpful and there are people around and online who can help, or who have written about their experiences who you might relate to, so go looking for it.

30. This is okay. Self exploration as a young person is normal.
For some this means exploring different ways of dressing, for others it's different styles of music, and for some it's exploring their own sense of gender.
This is okay.
If you explore your gender or sexuality or whatever it is, and after a while you return to where you started, that's okay and it does not diminish your self worth. It just means you probably have a better understanding of yourself now.

31. Part 13:
It's okay

32. Not having labels is okay. Having labels is okay.
Knowing who you are is okay.
But equally being confused is okay too.
Simple as that; everything from not having a single clue about your gender or gender at all, to knowing definitively who you are, is okay.
It's okay to be confused, but it's not okay to let that confusion take over your life or make you stressed, because at the end of the day, you just have to let it be and be confident that you will figure it out.
Any questions?
Everything is okay.
Trans people often need to be told this over and over and over because the idea is so shamed and belittled in society, but it really is okay to be trans, just as it is okay to be gay. Self acceptance is so so important for good mental health. You don't have to label yourself, or come out of the closet at all, or anything like that, just know whatever you're feeling is okay.