Resources

K-12 school employees can also experience gender identity and/or gender expression discrimination, and this doesn’t always look like intentional harassment. As more and more transgender-spectrum people enter the teaching profession (Gegi claps!), schools will have to provide an environment where, for example, a nonbinary teacher with they/them pronouns and the title ‘Mx.’ (pronounced ‘Mix’) is not consistently or intentionally misgendered, called ‘miss or sir,’ or the wrong title (Ms. or Mr.). Teachers who are not transgender but who are gender non-conforming may also encounter workplace dress codes or other expectations that do not work for them, such as implied or explicit demands that women dress in a feminine way. Of course, pre-service teachers (or teacher candidates) may also experience gender identity and/or gender expression discrimination in their placement schools.

These resources can also be shared with your employer, or used to expand your own knowledge base in anticipation of self-advocacy:

• Gender: Your guide – A gender-friendly primer on what to know, what to say, and what to do in the new gender culture by Dr. Lee Airton
  The ‘workplace gender audit’ exercise is particularly relevant to making workplaces more welcoming of gender diversity.
• Policy on preventing discrimination because of gender identity and gender expression Authored by the Ontario Human Rights Commission – see the Employer best practices checklist appendix.
• “I identify as transgender or non-binary. What are my rights at work?” by Steps to Justice: Your Guide to Law in Ontario

Many Ontario (but not only) teachers’ unions have resources that support members who are experiencing discrimination. These resources can help you find out what supports are available to you from your union, and who to contact, and are listed on your gegi.ca school board-specific page.