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Date

2021

Abstract

According to the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, LGBT middle and high school students are twice as likely to be bullied and are five times more likely to attempt suicide.

Coping with a stressful environment at school puts LGBT youth at risk of detriment to mental health, educational inequities, and even physical harm.

Adults at school who have relationships with youth are in a position of power to uplift and advocate for LGBT youth, and to educate those around them to create a safe environment for everyone to learn.

While teachers and other staff may offer students support, they may be unable to answer healthcare related questions that gender questioning adolescents have.

A document was created integrating resources centered on LGBT+ youth in Chittenden County, in Vermont, and across the country.

The document contained a series of questions and answers that adolescents may have about gender and what a doctor’s appointment would include.

An online version of the document was given to Milton High School and Champlain Valley Union High School to distribute to all students via email.

Both interviewees agreed that Milton High School staff are well-versed in the basics of pronoun use, but could use more training to apply their knowledge to support students.

Both interviewees also agreed that additional staff-wide training has been challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic but would be beneficial in following years.

Clinical Site

Milton and Hinesberg

Keywords

transgender, lgbt, health, youth, adolescents, gender, sexuality

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Disciplines

Medical Education | Primary Care

Helping schools support transgender and non-binary students

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