Trans Research Guide
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Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion in the Classroom
- Foundational terms related to gender and gender-based violence
- Challenges experienced by trans, non-binary and non-cisgender students
- Challenges experienced by trans and non-binary students in the classroom
- Creating safer classrooms for trans and non-binary students
- Support for trans and non-binary students
- Resources to deepen learning about trans inclusion in the classroom
Trans and non-binary students face several barriers in higher education due to a lack of acknowledgment and respect, often resulting in violence and social exclusion. This page provides steps and resources on how to create safer spaces for trans and non-binary students.
Learn more about key terms and definitions, challenges trans and non-binary students face both in and out of the classroom, as well as ways you as an instructor can make your teaching practice more inclusive.
This page will be frequently updated with new resources. Visitors are encouraged to check back often. If you have a resource you would like to submit to this page, please email teachingcentre@torontomu.ca.
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Challenges experienced by trans, non-binary and non-cisgender students
Be aware of barriers experienced by trans, non-binary, and non-cisgender students. Students can also experience barriers across many intersecting identities including disability, race, gender, sexual identity, class, and age. These intersecting identities can magnify the inequities students experience. For example, a trans student who does not feel safe in medical spaces may not pursue the documentation they need to access accommodations for their disabilities at school.
Barriers experienced by trans, non-binary, and non-cisgender students can include:
- Documentation issues
- Employment barriers
- Access to healthcare
- Housing discrimination
- Safety in public
- Targeted violence
- Interpersonal/internalized transphobia
Challenges experienced by trans and non-binary students in the classroom
In addition to the external barriers and pressures experienced by trans and non-binary students, there are also classroom-specific challenges such as:
Pressure to hide identity in public due to:
- Stares
- Being viewed as “not normal”
- Deliberate avoidance or exclusion from regular activities (e.g., group
projects, partnered activities in class, interpersonal conversations) - Pronouns being challenged or disregarded
- Disproportionate reactions or responses
- Inappropriate comments, jokes, or questions
- Non-inclusive language during lectures
- Being (google doc) deadnamed (external link)
- Being (google doc) outed (external link)
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- Don’t try to “figure out” someone’s gender
- Don’t question someone’s gender presentation or expression
- Don’t ask trans students uninvited questions about their sex life or their choices about their body
- Apologize if you make a mistake (we all make them!) - but don’t over-apologize
- Keep track of pronouns for all students who decide to share their pronouns; (google doc) invite all students to share their pronouns (external link) – don’t make pronoun sharing mandatory
- (google doc) Be aware of confidentiality and “outing” (external link)
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- Practice calling in/calling out (external link)
- When you see/hear cissexism/transphobia, do something
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- Stay informed, listen carefully, practice self-awareness, and be committed to continual learning and growth
- Use (google slide) inclusive language (external link) , including neutral, gender-inclusive language during one-on-one and class discussions
- Provide inclusive examples in lesson plans (e.g., knowledge from diverse perspectives, using pronouns beyond the binary)
- Remind guest speakers about inclusive practices you’ve adopted
- Learn about trans communities and the issues they face; read books/journals, use social media, blogs, etc.
- Listen to the experiences of trans people; ask how you can provide support
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Support for trans and non-binary students
There are university services that exist to support trans and non-binary students. As an educator, you can be aware of:
- Toronto Met’s resources concerning transitioning
- Discrepancies in records (e.g., deadnames)
- The Toronto Met Medical Clinic
- Alternate ways to get to different classes/buildings/washrooms
- Accessible and all-gender washroom locations near your classroom
- Safe emergency housing information and/or locations
Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries Trans Research Guide
Explore this resource for learning about popular materials, scholarly materials, and search strategies, including:
- Books by Trans Authors
- Books on History and Professional Topics
- Children's Books
- Scholarly Journals
- Videos
