{"id":57913,"date":"2017-11-14T16:11:04","date_gmt":"2017-11-14T21:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/support-transgender-youth-in-your-classroom-and-community\/"},"modified":"2017-11-14T16:11:04","modified_gmt":"2017-11-14T21:11:04","slug":"support-transgender-youth-in-your-classroom-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/support-transgender-youth-in-your-classroom-and-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Support Transgender Youth in Your Classroom and Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

Support Transgender Youth in Your Classroom and Community<\/b>
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Post submitted by Charles Girard, Digital Organizer<\/em><\/p>\n

Across the country, transgender and non-binary youth need support. They need to know that there are adults in their own communities who support them no matter what. That\u2019s where you come in.<\/p>\n

HRC Foundation\u2019s Welcoming Schools<\/a> program and the National Education Association (NEA) invite you to participate in our third annual National \u201cI Am Jazz\u201d School and Community Readings<\/a> on Thursday, December 7. Hosting a reading of the children\u2019s book in your community is just one of the ways that teachers, principals, PTAs, parents and community members can show transgender and non-binary students that they are supported by their community, and that they are not alone.<\/p>\n

I wish books like this had existed when I was growing up. I remember scouring my elementary and middle school libraries for characters who looked like me — even before I came out as transgender. The best I could find was a book my mom bought for me about a middle school student who accidentally switches bodies with an alien. <\/em>This seemingly irrelevant and goofy book actually felt more relatable to me than my mom could ever have predicted.<\/p>\n

Luckily, today, kids don\u2019t need to rely on fiction. Children and youth have access to books that include or are about transgender and non-binary characters, helping them better understand themselves and the world around them. You can play an integral role in helping youth in your community access these books.<\/p>\n

\u201cI Am Jazz\u201d, a children\u2019s book, co-written by HRC Youth Ambassador<\/a> Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel, tells Jazz\u2019s story of being a transgender kid. Schools and families often use this groundbreaking book to help children understand transgender youth and adults.<\/p>\n

On December 7, community advocates like yourself across the country will use this invaluable book to engage their communities in discussions about transgender youth; we hope you\u2019ll join us!<\/p>\n

What does hosting a reading involve? <\/strong>
\nAll you have to do is schedule time in your classroom or community, or simply gather a group of people in your home or any other place you feel comfortable, and read \u201cI Am Jazz.\u201d<\/p>\n

Past \u201cI Am Jazz\u201d reading events have been incredibly diverse and creative\u2014some involved just a few friends in a living room or were held by teachers in their classrooms, while others were open to the public and held 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>
\nAfter you sign up, we\u2019ll send you an organizing kit that includes a lesson plan, a social media kit, and a video<\/a> of Jazz reading her book<\/a> made just for this day! So no worries if you don\u2019t have the book — the video<\/a> will be a powerful way to share Jazz\u2019s message.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll also make sure you have extra goodies, including our favorite gender-related resources and an optional press release you are welcome to share with local media. Email HRC at welcomingschools@hrc.org <\/a>and we can help publicize your event.<\/p>\n

How can I get involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n