Vanessa Ford (she/her) is an award-winning educator and author. Her children’s book, Calvin, won the 2022 Lambda Literary Award for Best Children’s Book. Ford was a classroom teacher for 14 years in DC Public Schools and her advocacy has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsweek and NPR. She was a founding member of The Human Rights Campaign’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council and sat for two years on the board of the National Center for Transgender Equality. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is trans, near Boston. Learn more about Vanessa’s work at www.jrandvanessaford.com. Rebecca Kling (she/her) is an educator, organizer, storyteller, and advocate for social change. Kling served as the community storytelling advocate and director of education programming at the National Center for Transgender Rights, as well as on the leadership team of Harbor Camps, a sleepaway summer camp for trans and non-binary youth. She is also the co-founder of Better World Collaborative, a social impact consulting firm working to combat the recent flood of anti-trans legislation. She lives in Chicago with her two cats. Learn about Rebecca’s work at www.rebeccakling.com and www.bwcollab.com.

• Foreword xvAuthor Bios xviiIntroduction 1Using This Book 1Focusing on Trans and Non-Binary Students 3Becoming an Advocate Educator 10Putting It into Practice 14Part I Setting the Stage 19Chapter 1 Background Information 21A Brief History of Trans Identity 22(Some of) The Many Ways to Be Trans 26How Many Trans Students Are There? 27Putting It into Practice 32Chapter 2 Glossary of Terms and Definitions 37Putting It into Practice 52Chapter 3 Supporting Diverse Student Bodies 57Race and Racism 58Physical Disabilities 60Neurodiversity 63Economic Class 68Family Structure and Dynamics 69Putting It into Practice 70Part II The Four Core Principles 75Chapter 4 Educate 77Determining Who to Train 78Determining What to Teach 82Determining Who Will Teach 89Challenges Facing School Staff 91Putting It into Practice 95Chapter 5 Affirm 99Affirming Policies and Legislation 101Affirming Practices 117Putting It into Practice 124Chapter 6 Include 131Windows and Mirrors 133Inclusive Education Communities 136Creating Inclusive Classrooms and Curricula 141Creating Inclusive Extracurricular Activities 161Putting It into Practice 166Chapter 7 Disrupt 173Responding to Students 174Responding to Parents and Community Members 175Responding to Anti-Trans Laws and Policies 180Considering Legal Action 186Advocating with Trans Students and Student Voices 186Evaluating Your Comfort with Taking Risks 194Taking Care of Yourself 196Putting It into Practice 197Conclusion 201Afterword—Vanessa Ford 205Afterword—Rebecca Kling 209Acknowledgments 213Appendix 1 Additional Resources 217Books 217Videos and Documentaries 218Scholarly Articles, Research, and Data 218Resources Intended Specifically for Educators 220Sample Curriculum Resources 222Courses and Professional Development for Educators 223Model Policies, Assessments, and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224Real Policies and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224Professional Association Policy Positions and Best Practices 225Other Government Docs and Resources 226Resources for Students 227Appendix 2 Professional Development Provider Options 229A Queer Endeavor 229Better World Collaborative 230Glsen 231The Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Program 232Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Symposium 233The Trevor Project 234YES Institute 235Appendix 3 Guidance Template for Classroom Libraries 237Index 239

Vanessa Ford (she/her) is an award-winning educator and author. Her children’s book, Calvin, won the 2022 Lambda Literary Award for Best Children’s Book. Ford was a classroom teacher for 14 years in DC Public Schools and her advocacy has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsweek and NPR. She was a founding member of The Human Rights Campaign’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council and sat for two years on the board of the National Center for Transgender Equality. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is trans, near Boston. Learn more about Vanessa’s work at www.jrandvanessaford.com. Rebecca Kling (she/her) is an educator, organizer, storyteller, and advocate for social change. Kling served as the community storytelling advocate and director of education programming at the National Center for Transgender Rights, as well as on the leadership team of Harbor Camps, a sleepaway summer camp for trans and non-binary youth. She is also the co-founder of Better World Collaborative, a social impact consulting firm working to combat the recent flood of anti-trans legislation. She lives in Chicago with her two cats. Learn about Rebecca’s work at www.rebeccakling.com and www.bwcollab.com.

• Foreword xvAuthor Bios xviiIntroduction 1Using This Book 1Focusing on Trans and Non-Binary Students 3Becoming an Advocate Educator 10Putting It into Practice 14Part I Setting the Stage 19Chapter 1 Background Information 21A Brief History of Trans Identity 22(Some of) The Many Ways to Be Trans 26How Many Trans Students Are There? 27Putting It into Practice 32Chapter 2 Glossary of Terms and Definitions 37Putting It into Practice 52Chapter 3 Supporting Diverse Student Bodies 57Race and Racism 58Physical Disabilities 60Neurodiversity 63Economic Class 68Family Structure and Dynamics 69Putting It into Practice 70Part II The Four Core Principles 75Chapter 4 Educate 77Determining Who to Train 78Determining What to Teach 82Determining Who Will Teach 89Challenges Facing School Staff 91Putting It into Practice 95Chapter 5 Affirm 99Affirming Policies and Legislation 101Affirming Practices 117Putting It into Practice 124Chapter 6 Include 131Windows and Mirrors 133Inclusive Education Communities 136Creating Inclusive Classrooms and Curricula 141Creating Inclusive Extracurricular Activities 161Putting It into Practice 166Chapter 7 Disrupt 173Responding to Students 174Responding to Parents and Community Members 175Responding to Anti-Trans Laws and Policies 180Considering Legal Action 186Advocating with Trans Students and Student Voices 186Evaluating Your Comfort with Taking Risks 194Taking Care of Yourself 196Putting It into Practice 197Conclusion 201Afterword—Vanessa Ford 205Afterword—Rebecca Kling 209Acknowledgments 213Appendix 1 Additional Resources 217Books 217Videos and Documentaries 218Scholarly Articles, Research, and Data 218Resources Intended Specifically for Educators 220Sample Curriculum Resources 222Courses and Professional Development for Educators 223Model Policies, Assessments, and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224Real Policies and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224Professional Association Policy Positions and Best Practices 225Other Government Docs and Resources 226Resources for Students 227Appendix 2 Professional Development Provider Options 229A Queer Endeavor 229Better World Collaborative 230Glsen 231The Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Program 232Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Symposium 233The Trevor Project 234YES Institute 235Appendix 3 Guidance Template for Classroom Libraries 237Index 239

Vanessa Ford (she/her) is an award-winning educator and author. Her children’s book, Calvin, won the 2022 Lambda Literary Award for Best Children’s Book. Ford was a classroom teacher for 14 years in DC Public Schools and her advocacy has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsweek and NPR. She was a founding member of The Human Rights Campaign’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council and sat for two years on the board of the National Center for Transgender Equality. She lives with her husband and two children, one of whom is trans, near Boston. Learn more about Vanessa’s work at www.jrandvanessaford.com. Rebecca Kling (she/her) is an educator, organizer, storyteller, and advocate for social change. Kling served as the community storytelling advocate and director of education programming at the National Center for Transgender Rights, as well as on the leadership team of Harbor Camps, a sleepaway summer camp for trans and non-binary youth. She is also the co-founder of Better World Collaborative, a social impact consulting firm working to combat the recent flood of anti-trans legislation. She lives in Chicago with her two cats. Learn about Rebecca’s work at www.rebeccakling.com and www.bwcollab.com.

• Foreword xvAuthor Bios xviiIntroduction 1Using This Book 1Focusing on Trans and Non-Binary Students 3Becoming an Advocate Educator 10Putting It into Practice 14Part I Setting the Stage 19Chapter 1 Background Information 21A Brief History of Trans Identity 22(Some of) The Many Ways to Be Trans 26How Many Trans Students Are There? 27Putting It into Practice 32Chapter 2 Glossary of Terms and Definitions 37Putting It into Practice 52Chapter 3 Supporting Diverse Student Bodies 57Race and Racism 58Physical Disabilities 60Neurodiversity 63Economic Class 68Family Structure and Dynamics 69Putting It into Practice 70Part II The Four Core Principles 75Chapter 4 Educate 77Determining Who to Train 78Determining What to Teach 82Determining Who Will Teach 89Challenges Facing School Staff 91Putting It into Practice 95Chapter 5 Affirm 99Affirming Policies and Legislation 101Affirming Practices 117Putting It into Practice 124Chapter 6 Include 131Windows and Mirrors 133Inclusive Education Communities 136Creating Inclusive Classrooms and Curricula 141Creating Inclusive Extracurricular Activities 161Putting It into Practice 166Chapter 7 Disrupt 173Responding to Students 174Responding to Parents and Community Members 175Responding to Anti-Trans Laws and Policies 180Considering Legal Action 186Advocating with Trans Students and Student Voices 186Evaluating Your Comfort with Taking Risks 194Taking Care of Yourself 196Putting It into Practice 197Conclusion 201Afterword—Vanessa Ford 205Afterword—Rebecca Kling 209Acknowledgments 213Appendix 1 Additional Resources 217Books 217Videos and Documentaries 218Scholarly Articles, Research, and Data 218Resources Intended Specifically for Educators 220Sample Curriculum Resources 222Courses and Professional Development for Educators 223Model Policies, Assessments, and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224Real Policies and Guidelines for Schools and Districts 224Professional Association Policy Positions and Best Practices 225Other Government Docs and Resources 226Resources for Students 227Appendix 2 Professional Development Provider Options 229A Queer Endeavor 229Better World Collaborative 230Glsen 231The Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Program 232Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Symposium 233The Trevor Project 234YES Institute 235Appendix 3 Guidance Template for Classroom Libraries 237Index 239