Transgender student says teachers keep using wrong pronouns and name, and wants more done about it
CBC
It's been more than a year since Alex came out as transgender.
Alex said that when they first made it public while in Grade 7 at Dr. J. E. Davey Elementary School in Hamilton, many students and their teacher weren't supportive.
"It made me not like school and not want to go there," said Alex, who is only being identified by their first name due to their age and safety concerns.
Alex said they still don't go a day without being misgendered by teachers and students. They added that unlike students, who have reportedly been suspended, none of the teachers seem to face any consequences.
The issue of misgendering is important, as transgender people have higher rates of suicide and mental health issues than others, according to research. A recent study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto suggests such concerns are linked to the discrimination they face.
Alex acknowledged that being misgendered or referred to by their former name (an action known as deadnaming) has impacted their mental health.
Alex said while anyone may make a mistake, some teachers have consistently misgendered or deadnamed them. Alex added that when they and their fellow classmates ask for the mistake to be corrected and for an apology, the teachers are dismissive or appear annoyed.
"With a few teachers, it kind of feels like they're doing it on purpose or they're not trying at all because they do it a lot, and if I correct them they kind of go like, 'Yeah, yeah,' or brush it off," Alex explained.
Some teachers also haven't bothered to correct students who misgender or deadname their peers, Alex said.
In one case, Alex said they quit the volleyball team because the coach repeatedly misgendered them. Alex later asked the school to have limited contact with that teacher, and said the school obliged.
Alex and their mother, Tanya O'Connell, said they're aware the school is doing work behind the scenes and training teachers to be more inclusive. It's unclear exactly what training teachers receive. But the family also says that, in most cases, there doesn't seem to be any reprimand for teachers who continue to refer to Alex in the wrong way.
When asked for an interview for comment on concerns by Alex and their mother, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) declined the request.
A statement from Gerry Smith, the superintendent responsible for student achievement at Dr. J. E. Davey Elementary School, stated HWDSB could not discuss personnel matters.
That said, "staff adhere to our safe schools, equity and human rights policies," read Smith's statement.