{"id":53137,"date":"2017-05-16T14:10:41","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T18:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/support-transgender-youth-in-your-classroom-this-thursday\/"},"modified":"2017-05-16T14:10:41","modified_gmt":"2017-05-16T18:10:41","slug":"support-transgender-youth-in-your-classroom-this-thursday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/support-transgender-youth-in-your-classroom-this-thursday\/","title":{"rendered":"Support Transgender Youth In Your Classroom This Thursday"},"content":{"rendered":"

Support Transgender Youth In Your Classroom This Thursday<\/b>
\n<\/p>\n

Post submitted by\u00a0Charles Girard,\u00a0Welcoming Schools Project Coordinator\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On Thursday, May 18, HRC\u2019s Welcoming Schools program and the National Education Association (NEA) will hold the second annual National <\/em>I Am Jazz School and Community Readings.<\/em> Hosting one of these readings in your community is one of many ways that teachers, principals, PTAs, and local community members can show transgender students that they aren\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n

I only wish this type of event existed when I was in elementary school. Before I even came out as transgender, I remember asking one of my elementary school teachers if she had any books with \u201ca kid like me\u201d as the protagonist, struggling to find language to ask for reflections of myself as a gender-creative kid. The best she could do was hand me Gary Paulsen\u2019s Hatchet<\/em>. While that book became one of my favorite books as a kid, it wasn\u2019t exactly what I was looking for. My teacher knew what I was asking for, but she didn\u2019t have the resources to help.<\/p>\n

However, with books like I am Jazz<\/em><\/a>,<\/em> Annie\u2019s Plaid Shirt<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>and Introducing Teddy<\/em><\/a> times have changed. There are more books on the market to help children and adults alike understand gender and what it means to be transgender. Allowing students to hear and read stories that reflect their realities is just one way to help all youth to succeed in school academically and socially. The best part? You can get involved right now.<\/p>\n

You can make a difference by signing up to read I Am Jazz <\/em>in a classroom or community on May 18.<\/p>\n

What does it mean to host a reading?<\/strong><\/p>\n

All you have to do is gather a group of people together or schedule time in your classroom and read I Am Jazz<\/em>. At HRC’s first annual day of reading last year, more than 3,500 people across the country joined us.<\/p>\n

Last year, the reading events were incredibly diverse and creative. Some readings included just a few friends in a living room or were held by teachers in their classrooms, while others were open to the public in libraries or places of worship. You can make your event as small or as big as you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n

How will HRC help you to host an incredible event?<\/strong><\/p>\n

After signing up, here\u2019s what you need to host a successful event:<\/p>\n