Developing Allies to Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Youth: Training for Counselors and Educators

Abstract

Lack of training regarding transgender youth leaves K–12 educators unprepared to become allies to this disenfranchised community and attend to their needs. This article explores the pedagogical strategies of two professional workshop models (GLSEN Houston training and the Gender Infinity practitioner training), which provide skills and resources for educators and counselors in K–12 settings to become adult allies to gender-nonconforming youth. Discussion includes pedagogical approaches and implications regarding sessions that provide training, resources for counselors and teachers to develop skills to support transgender youth, and responses from participants about the outcomes associated with workshop training.

KEYWORDS:

• Ally
• counselor training
• feminist pedagogy
• gender nonconforming
• professional development
• teacher education
• transgender

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kim A. Case

Kim A. Case, PhD, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Women's Studies at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, conducts research on ally behavior, privilege awareness, and inclusive climates for LGBT individuals.

Colt St Amand

Colt St. Amand, PhD, Interprofessional LGBT Health Care Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and transgender health care specialist, conducts research and works clinically with LGBT populations, including Veterans, youth, and families, and provides LGBT educational trainings to professionals in school, mental health, and healthcare settings.