In this blog post, biology education researchers Sarah L. Eddy and Aramati Casper describe how to support intersex and queer students through language choices and biologically accurate content.
Sex and gender are binaries? Sorry, that's a scientific falsehood
In this SF Chronicle piece, Ash Zemenick discusses evidence for biological sex as a continuum rather than a binary. They argue that humans whose chromosomes, gametes, or hormones do not fit into a binary are common and that it is more useful to view them as a form of diversity rather than as an exception to a rule.
Generating a framework for gender and sexual diversity-inclusive STEM education
Generating a framework for gender and sexual diversity-inclusive STEM education
Authors: Gary William Wright, Cesar Delgado
Published in: Science Education (Feb 5, 2023) at https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21786
Abstract
Students who identify as LGBTQ continue to report feelings of being unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Access to a gender and sexual diversity (GSD)-inclusive curriculum and supportive teachers may positively improve the school climate for LGBTQ students, but these supports are often not included in STEM classrooms. One response is to ensure that STEM teachers are prepared to integrate GSD-inclusive STEM teaching into their classrooms. This review systematically analyzed the literature on supporting and affirming GSD in K-12 and higher education STEM education contexts. The 81 selected studies were qualitatively analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and epistemic network analysis, and the findings showed that GSD-inclusive STEM education literature coheres around six highly related constructs: Heteronormativity, Social Justice, Epistemic Knowledge of Science and Inquiry, Identity, Embodiment, and GSD language. Identifying these constructs, and the connections among them, led to the generation of an operational framework of GSD-inclusive STEM teaching that can inform and guide STEM teacher education programs and STEM teacher professional development to develop STEM educators' equity literacy around GSD to foster bias-free, equitable, inclusive STEM classrooms.
[Update] Sex and Gender Inclusivity in Pedigree Nomenclature
This focused revision addresses the need to denote sex assigned at birth and gender in pedigree nomenclature. It clarifies the use of symbols and language to ensure safe and inclusive genetic counseling for people who are gender-diverse or transgender.
Bennett, R. L., French, K. S., Resta, R. G., & Austin, J. (2022). Practice resource-focused revision: Standardized pedigree nomenclature update centered on sex and gender inclusivity: A practice resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 00, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1621
Trans inclusion in the biology classroom
In this blog post, geneticist Jess McLaughlin offers six detailed strategies for trans inclusion in biology education. They also include an extensive list of resources.
Rethinking The Sex Talk: Interview with Cory Silverberg on NPR Fresh Air
Cory Silverberg is a sex educator and the author of “What Makes a Baby”, “Sex is a Funny Word”, and the new book “You Know, Sex” which is for children 10+. Cory spoke in this interview about teaching and learning about sex as it relates to not only reproduction, but also pleasure, power, and identity. These are valuable ideas for science educators looking to put their teachings about sex in context with students’ whole lives.
Adapting Language for Diverse (A)Genders, Bodies, and (A)Sexualities
clear infographics (see above for examples),
a checklist with advice for challenging situations such as:
and a statements-editing activity from a workshop by SextEd (a free and confidential texting helpline that answers questions about sex, dating, and health within 24 hours) and ACCM (AIDS Community Care Montreal).
“We also know it can be challenging to use inclusive language when students, peers, or service users don’t, or they’re not familiar with the practice. In these cases, you can still take the time to gently explain why you speak or write the way that you do: to respect the diversity in people’s sexualities, genders, and bodies. If someone asks why you phrased something a certain way, you can take the time to explain why.
In situations where a person is asking a question or speaking in a way that isn’t inclusive, you can....
— Use phrases like “Yes, men, or anyone with a penis, can get an erection at random.”
— Gently remind them of identities they didn’t include in their statement or question, “Yeah, for sure. But I also
think it’s important to keep in mind that some men don’t have penises, and some women do, to make sure we’re
being inclusive.””
Challenge norms & build interruption skills
Headline: Male Adolescents’ Gender Attitudes and Violence: Implications for Youth Violence Prevention
[What they measured:] This study analyzed the associations among male adolescents’ gender attitudes, intentions to intervene, witnessing peers’ abusive behaviors, and multiple forms of adolescent violence perpetration.
[Who they studied:] Data were from a cross-sectional survey conducted at baseline with 866 male adolescents in community settings (i.e., youth-serving organizations, churches, after school programs, and libraries) across 20 lower-resource neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA from August 2015 to June 2017, as part of a cluster RCT.28 Eligible youth were aged 13—19 years, identified as male, and recruited to participate in a gender-specific violence prevention program.
[Goals] This community-based evaluation aims to inform future youth violence prevention efforts through the identification of potential predictors of interpersonal violence perpetration.
[Conclusions] Findings support violence prevention strategies that challenge harmful gender and social norms while simultaneously increasing youths’ skills in interrupting peers’ disrespectful and harmful behaviors.
Citation
Miller E, Culyba AJ, Paglisotti T, Massof M, Gao Q, Ports KA, Kato-Wallace J, Pulerwitz J, Espelage DL, Abebe KZ, Jones KA. Male Adolescents' Gender Attitudes and Violence: Implications for Youth Violence Prevention. Am J Prev Med. 2020 Mar;58(3):396-406. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.009. Epub 2019 Dec 27. PMID: 31889621; PMCID: PMC7039734.
Remember Thomas the blind bisexual goose
ID: Thomas, a white goose, with two black swans named Henry and Henrietta. The three adults stand surrounding several gray baby swans sitting in a nest. Thomas played the role of a "doting uncle" to Henry and Henrietta's many children.
Thomas was a New Zealand goose who rose to prominence for his notable relationships and behaviors. He formed close, lasting bonds with both male and female swans and was involved in a "love triangle". Thomas became blind later in life. He reared many children, both his biological children and young orphaned geese and swans.
Below are two article commemorating Thomas’ life, published shortly after his death.
Queerspawn Resource Project
The Queerspawn Resource Project develops and compiles resources that reflect the complex, authentic, and intersectional experiences of people with one or more LGBTQ+ parents/guardians and advancing advocacy work that furthers inclusion of queerspawn and their perspectives. Resources include children’s and adult book lists, allyship guidance, a language guide, and media collections.
Queer Animals Are Everywhere. Science Is Finally Catching On.
This article by animal studies graduate student Eliot Schrefer for The Washington Post highlights a recent surge in scholarship on same-sex animal behavior which challenges longstanding misconceptions about the connection between animal sexuality and evolution.
Language Drops Visual Dictionary
This visual dictionary by Language Drops is available as a web page or a smartphone app. This can be a useful tool for working with multilingual students. For example, the link below is for a set of words called Words for Gender Pronouns in Arabic.
Gamete competition, gamete limitation, and the evolution of the two sexes
Sex can be classified in many ways depending on the species and context. The one fundamental method of classification that applies to all living things is to look at the size of the gametes. This article summarizes the concept of anisogamy (having two gametes of different size) and its evolutionary origins.
Dads Also Pass on Mitochondrial DNA, Contrary to Long-Standing Belief
This article from Smithsonian Magazine describes new evidence that some people receive their mitochondrial DNA from the sperm cell rather than the egg cell that made them. This contradicts a longstanding generalization that only egg cells contribute mitochondrial DNA.
This article uses the words mother/maternal and father/paternal to refer to two contributors of genetic material in humans. Consider speaking with your students about other terms that may be more inclusive of all people and their families, such as sperm-derived and egg-derived DNA.
The Intersex Roadshow (Blog)
In this blog, intersex sociologist Dr. Cary Gabriel Costello writes about current intersex issues in historical context.
Intersex people are supposed to lie low and keep quiet. Not me.
I'm not defective, I'm not disordered, I'm not ashamed. I just don't fit in your M/F boxes.
I'm intersex by birth and honest by choice.
Response to Common Criticisms to Gender Inclusive Teaching
Making gender-inclusive changes to our curriculum sometimes elicits the attention and concern of the school community. This resource, containing suggested responses to common criticisms and concerns, was a part of our The Science Teacher article “Gender-Inclusive Biology: A framework in action”
Gender Spectrum have also put together a collection of responses to common concerns about teaching about gender in non-science-specific context.
Archaeology's Sexual Revolution
Male, female, transgender, and other circular symbols made of multi-colored bones
Read this article, which details the reckoning archaeology has had to do when addressing the complex, non-binary nature of biological sex characteristics. Includes several case studies of ambiguous archaeological remains which have pushed scientists to reconsider preconceived notions of both gender and sex in prehistoric times.
Podcast on Parenting Language from The Allusionist
Trans parents discuss inclusive language around pregnancy, birth, and parenting with host Helen Zaltzman on The Allusionist, a podcast about language.
Available on all podcast platforms, with transcript and extensive show notes.
Gender-Inclusive Biology: A Framework In Action
Sam, River, and Lewis published this article in the September/October 2021 issue of The Science Teacher, a journal of the National Science Teaching Association. It focuses on the tenets of the Gender-Inclusive Biology Framework and how to implement it successfully in the high school biology classroom.
Educators' Call to Action for Intersex Awareness Day
This letter, coordinated by a range of organizations and individuals including the Society of Gender Professionals, InterACT, and the Intersex Justice Project, details the need for greater visibility of intersex experiences in the science curriculum. Read and share widely!
