Gender Challenges for Schools

Before there was the "boys" bathroom and the "girls" bathroom but now many schools are finding to be able to accommodate an increase of transgender or gender variant students, the gender-neutral bathroom has in some schools become a new addition.  A small percentage of children are going public at younger ages that they are indeed transgender or want to live as the opposite sex or that they are neither boy or girl. 

Last year, the American Psychiatric Association removed "gender identity disorder" from the mental disorders list.  In other words, people are starting to realize this is not a condition that can be "cured" or fixed.  Quite simply it is who the person is such as is the case of sexual orientation.  Almost forty years ago, the APA removed "homosexuality" as a disorder as well.  In addition to transgender, there is gender variant or gender nonconforming who's gender is considered fluid, part "boy" and part "girl". 

The center at Lurie has opened to meet parental demands for guidance for children who are questioning their gender identity and provide support for older children that can face a higher suicide risk.  The 2010 National Transgender Discrimination Survey showed that 41% of transgender people claimed they attempted suicide and if they had been bullied or harassed the number rose to 51%.  

Out of our fifty states, only sixteen states and D.C. have transgender rights laws to protect these children as well as adults.  Some parents have chosen what they call the "stealth" method of having their child change genders by moving to a new school district and starting over.  Though surgery is seldom an option in childhood or adolescence, these children dress and act their preferred gender.  By changing schools, they can start as a "girl" or a "boy" and lessen the chances for bullying and harassment.

Some questions came to my mind.  In today's society we are much more tolerant (though still a long way to go) and people are more likely to be open about things such as being transgender.  Fifty years ago, would the percentage of people who are transgender be similar to today?  Was it just something you hid in shame or kept behind closed doors?  I suppose we will never know.  Regardless, I believe the accepting people for who they are can sometimes be a difficult task but considering the suicide attempt percentages, wouldn't it just be better to live and let live at times?