Transgender students say Hamilton schools need to do more to protect and support them

Transgender students and their families say Hamilton's public and Catholic school boards need to do more to protect and support them as they face daily issues from students and staff.

Crystal Kells, who uses they/them pronouns,says their 10-year-old transgender daughter Keeyan has had issues with her Grade 4 teacher in the Catholic board's virtual school since the start of the school year.

Kells said the teacher has beenmisgendering Keeyan despite repeated reminders about it. Kells saysit's beyond an accident now,calling it "constant discrimination," especially because of Keeyan's appearance.

"If you were to see her, you wouldn't know any different ... she looks like a binary girl, acts like one, talks like one, so it's hard to see or think of her as anything else,"Kellstold CBC Hamilton.

The issue of misgendering is important, as transgender people have higher rates of suicide and mental health issues than others, according to research.Arecent studyled by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto suggests such concerns are linked to the discrimination they face.

KellssaidKeeyan's former name appeared on screen during virtual schooling and the teacher wasn't quick to help.

Using a trans person's former name is also called deadnaming and, like misgendering, can be harmful.

Kells said theytried meeting with the teacher before the school year started to avoid any issues, but the teacher declined.Kellsalso said the school's principal and superintendent haven't been supportive and haven't taken their concerns seriously.

"There are thousands of LGBTQIA+ children in our city (out AND not out) that don't have the love and support my child has and the severe damage that any of THOSE children might face at the hands of these women is too much for me to bear. I will be fighting this hard," reads part of the email with their formal complaintto the Hamliton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB).

Board spokesperson Marnie Jadon said HWCDSB is taking the concerns "very seriously."

"We are fully committed to the dignity of each individual and ensuring that they feel welcomed and accepted in our schools. The concerns have been brought to the attention of our senior administration and will be fully investigated."

Board chair Pat Daly also said in a written response that when issues are raised, it's a reminder more needs to be done to promoteequity and inclusion. He said the board is supporting trans students and staff through the school board's framework.

"We are aware and sensitive of the complexity of the personal situations that are lived out ... all students should feel welcomed and safe at school and deserve a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting," he said.

Kells said they'rein contact with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario,andplans to file formal complaints.

Trans student numbers not tracked

Alex, a Grade 8student at Dr. J. E. Davey Elementary School, told CBC Hamilton earlier this year that teachersconsistently referred to them by the wrong gender and used their former name. They added that unlike students, who have reportedly been suspended, none of the teachers seem to face any consequences.

"It made me not like school and not want to go there," Alex, who isonly beingidentified by their first name due to their age and safety concerns,previouslysaid.

Two months after Alex went public with those issues,they said there have been marginal improvements, but they still feel administrators aren't doing enough.Aside from issues with staff, Alex added, they face questions from students about their identity whenever they use the washroom.

Alexaddedthey aren't surprised to hear fellow trans studentslike Keeyan say they're facing similar problems.

When Alex spoke out, the public school board told CBCthat staff adhere to its safe schools, equity and human rights policies. The board also has aSafe Schools Action Plan, whichincludes agoal of having 80 per cent of students from equity-seeking groups self-reportingthat they're feeling safe and supported at school.

Caspian Richard, a Grade 9 transgender student atBernie Custis Secondary School, was previously deadnamed due to the public school board's virtual learning system. The school board eventuallyfixed the issue.

Richard said they haven't experienced a lot of bullying this year, but other trans students have.

"I feel like teachers ... we have to respect them, but I feel like they don't show that same kind of respect back to us," they said. "I think there should be more done around the support of trans kids and all the kids [who are]LGBTQ."

It's unclear how widespread transphobia in Hamilton schoolsis, partly becauseHamilton's public and Catholic school boards don't track the number of transgenderstudents enrolled.

Alex, their motherTanya O'Connelland Kellssay they were disappointed to hear that, but unsurprised.

"However, we do await the release of the Student Census data later this spring. This data will have a better understanding of some of the students who participated in the census and identified as transgender," said Shawn McKillop, spokesperson for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

Jadon, from the Catholic board, said HWCDSB is preparing demographic surveys for students and staff "in our continued commitment to active listening, prayer and right action."

"It is our hope that the voluntary census surveys will provide important insight into the development of thoughtful, data-informed decisions and supports," she wrote.

"This undertaking builds on our efforts to respect differences, provide care and support for all students and staff, and is informed by our Catholic teaching on the dignity of the human person. The centrality of Jesus Christ provides the framework not only for the census survey, but the response/action flowing from it."

More representation,training needed

Fae Johnstone, executive director of Wisdom2Action, an LGBTQ+ consultancy firm, previously told CBCthat school boards need implementation plans that include financial resources dedicated toinclusion, andclear expectations communicated to staff and educators that homophobia and transphobiawon't be tolerated.

Kellssaid parents should have more resources too.

Richard said there should be more LGBTQ+ representation in schools and more LGBTQ+ resources for students.

WATCH |LGBTQ consultant says school boards need action plans:

LGBTQ consultant says school boards need action plans to fight transphobia

3 years ago

Duration 1:15

Fae Johnstone, the executive director of Wisdom2Action, an LGBTQ+ consultancy firm, said transgender students are still big targets for bullying in schools.

Alexis advocating for gender-neutral washrooms and more school-wide education, includingat assembliesor workshops.

O'Connell'slist of recommendations include:

• School-wide education about being transgender.
• Participating in days like Day of Pink and the Trans Day of Remembrance.
• Providing access to a Gay Straight Alliance or similar groups.

For its part, HWDSB said it has some gender-neutralwashrooms, isworking on improving the diversity of staff,hasobservedsome LGBTQ days during the school yearand welcomes positive space groups.

The Catholic boardsaid it has gender neutral washrooms in itsschool board building,ongoing education for staff, and community-building activities. It also observes some LGBTQ days andGay Straight Alliance groups.

Reflecting on their own situation, Kells hopes schools step up.

"I am flabbergasted at how difficult this whole situation has ended up being and I'm left very concerned for other parents and other students."