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.

Archaeology's Sexual Revolution

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.

California Condors reproduce without a male. A first.

Erik Anderson reports for KPBS the discovery that captive condors have reproduced through parthenogenesis, with just a single parent and an unfertilized egg.

1,000-Year-Old Remains May Be Of A Highly Respected Nonbinary Warrior, Study Finds

Analysis of ancient DNA found in Finland has unveiled a surprise a century later – the remains of an early medieval warrior thought to be female may have been nonbinary. Xcaret Nuñez reports for NPR.

The data indicate that the person had a feminine presentation, likely XXY chromosomes, and a penis. The way they were buried led to the conclusion that the remains were of "a respected person whose gender identity may well have been non-binary."

To use this article with students, pre-teach the difference between gender and sex because this is not well-defined in the article.

Article: Transgender People and “Biological Sex” Myths

In this Medium article, biochemist and writer Julia Serano discusses the myth of a binary biological sex, and its implications for oppression and social justice.

Equity Guidance from Next Generation Science Standards

The Next Generation Science Standards include an appendix which discusses why and how science teachers must provide equitable learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, including diverse genders. Two pertinent quotes from the appendix are as follows:

“To engage all students in learning the NGSS, it is important to understand the context that influences science learning by diverse student groups.”

“Science teachers need to acquire effective strategies to include all students regardless of racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and gender backgrounds.”

NABT Position Statement on Equity in Science Education

The National Association of Biology Teaching adopted this position statement in 2003, last revised 2009. The statement supports gender-inclusive biology teaching through two key points:

“We have a fundamental, active, and obligatory role in creating, ensuring, and promoting meaningful education environments that reflect the full spectrum of human dimensions so that diversity, unity, and equity are able to flourish in science education.”

“Diversity contributes to the richness of biological science understanding and ways of knowing, enhances our educational and scientific discourse, [and] places historical, cultural, and philosophical frames of reference in context.”

The macho sperm myth: Article by Robert D. Martin

“Human fertilisation is a gigantic lottery with 250 million tickets: for healthy sperm, it is the luck of the draw.”

— Robert D. Martin, "The macho sperm myth".

In this popular science article, Martin debunks a series of myths and double standards in human reproduction, including the pervasive, heteronormative belief that sperm cells "race" to reach an egg.

Growing a Gender-Inclusive Biology Curriculum - in Teach Magazine

Sam wrote this introductory article in TEACH Magazine’s 2019 Special Issue: “Out of the Closet and Into the Classroom”. The magazine is based in Canada and all articles are available in English and French.

Teaching about Gender Diversity (Book)

Written by teacher for teachers, Teaching about Gender Diversity is an edited collection of interdisciplinary lesson plans that provides K–12 teachers with the tools to implement gender-inclusive practices into their curriculum and talk to their students about gender and sex. Edited by Susan W. Woolley and Lee Airton, this engaging collection features teachers' perspectives on teaching about gender from across North America. Divided into three sections dedicated to the elementary, middle, and secondary grade levels, this practical resource provides lessons for a variety of subject areas, including English language arts, STEM, and health and physical education. To view more titles in Education, visit canadianscholars.ca.

Pathways STEM Outreach Program

This is a unique STEM outreach program for LGBTQ+ high schoolers. Please share with students who may be interested! Sam Long will lead a workshop about diversity in biology in the July session.

--------

Calling all LGBTQ+ high schoolers! Wanna learn about LGBTQ+ scientists, build STEM skills, and meet other students this summer? Check out the new Pathways in STEM summer outreach program at CU Boulder! All events are online over summer 2020.

Info and registration at http://bit.ly/pathwaysstem

Jamie Kubiak's Queer Your Classroom Webinar

Jamie Kubiak, a chemistry teacher in New York City, hosted a webinar in April 2020 in lieu of his cancelled NSTA conference presentation. The webinar video and slide deck are available below.

On binary sex: "Just because it’s a convenient system of classification doesn’t mean it’s right."

In this article for Slate, bone researcher Alexandra Kralick discusses scientific research that debunks the fundamental misunderstanding that sex is a binary.

Doctor's Rec: Puberty blockers can be life-saving for transgender teenagers. (Pediatrics)

Summary: Pubertal suppression therapy could significantly diminish their chances of suicide and mental health problems.

Title: Trends in the use of puberty blockers among transgender children in the United States.

Authors: Lopez CM, Solomon D, Boulware SD, Christison-Lagay ER

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism

Publication date: 2018 Jun 27;31(6):665-670. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2018-0048.

Pub Med ID: 29715194 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2018-0048. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29715194 .

BACKGROUND:

The objective of the study was to identify national trends in the utilization of histrelin acetate implants among transgender children in the United States.

METHODS:

We analyzed demographic, diagnostic and treatment data from 2004 to 2016 on the use of histrelin acetate reported to the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) to determine the temporal trends in its use for transgender-related billing diagnoses, e.g. "gender identity disorder". Demographic and payer status data on this patient population were also collected.

RESULTS:

Between 2004 and 2016, the annual number of implants placed for a transgender-related diagnosis increased from 0 to 63. The average age for placement was 14 years. Compared to natal females, natal males were more likely to receive implants (57 vs. 46) and more likely to have implants placed at an older age (62% of natal males vs. 50% of natal females were ≥;13 years; p<0.04). The majority of children were White non-Hispanic (White: 60, minority: 21). When compared to the distribution of patients treated for precocious puberty (White: 1428, minority: 1421), White non-Hispanic patients were more likely to be treated with a histrelin acetate implant for a transgender-related diagnosis than minority patients (p<0.001). This disparity was present even among minority patients with commercial insurance (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Utilization of histrelin acetate implants among transgender children has increased dramatically. Compared to natal females, natal males are more likely to receive implants and also more likely to receive implants at an older age. Treated transgender patients are more likely to be White when compared to the larger cohort of patients being treated with histrelin acetate for central precocious puberty (CPP), thus identifying a potential racial disparity in access to medically appropriate transgender care.

Neuroscientists You Should Know: Ben Barres

Science education video host Alie Astrocyte gives a brief profile of the late transgender neuroscientist Ben Barres, his research, and his work on gender equity in science.

Sex Determination – Why So Many Ways of Doing It?

This PLOS Biology article details the diverse mechanisms by which sex is determined in different species, how they evolved, and how they may look in the future. The article opens with a treatment of three common myths of sex determination.

Editor’s note: The term "hermaphrodite" is appropriate for referring to non-human animals with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. For humans, “intersex” is the appropriate term—learn more here!

Although the entire reading is not for k-12 audiences, the three myths, Figure 3, Figure 4, and Box 2 are suitable for high school.

Journal: The Biological Contributions to Gender Identity and Gender Diversity: Bringing Data to the Table

This study is a review of evidence that gender identity is influenced by innate factors including genetics. The authors hypothesize that gender identity is a multifactorial complex trait with a heritable polygenic component, and that the study of this trait is important.

Although gender identity as a polygenic trait is only a hypothesis, this example could serve to show biology students how heritability studies can be used to gain a better understanding of a complex, socially relevant trait. Most textbooks cite skin color and height as examples of polygenic traits, and gender identity might be another to add to that list.

Article: "Stop Using Phony Science to Justify Transphobia"

In this Scientific American article, Simón(e) D Sun explains how misunderstandings of science have been used to dehumanize trans people in society. Sun explains how genetic sex and the relationship between the body, brain, and hormones are both complex and validate the existence of transgender people.

A Brief History of Twin Studies

This article from Smithsonian Magazine summarizes how twin studies have been used untangle the influences of genes and the environment on particular traits. Twins have been used in the study of eugenics, I.Q., eating disorders, obesity, sexual orientation, and the effect of spaceflight on the body.

Doctor's Rec: Statement from American Academy of Pediatrics

The official American Academy of Pediatrics published (link to summary article) 9 clear recommendations for caring for youth and adolescents who identify as transgender or gender-diverse.

I highlight the portions that specify providing health care according to what the youth wants, especially to match the youth’s gender expression. Not parent, guardian, teacher, staff member, administrator, guidance counselor, etc.

[Aside: You may have heard a FoxNews Glenn Beck headline about an anti-gay-marriage hate group calling itself “American Pediatricians” creating a hoax claiming supporting a transgender youth is abuse. Read more about how Snopes debunked this, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics’ internal presentation recommending affirming a child’s gender expression (pdf). —RXS]

1. that youth who identify as TGD have access to comprehensive, gender-affirming, and developmentally appropriate health care that is provided in a safe and inclusive clinical space;

2. that family-based therapy and support be available to recognize and respond to the emotional and mental health needs of parents, caregivers, and siblings of youth who identify as TGD;

3. that electronic health records, billing systems, patient-centered notification systems, and clinical research be designed to respect the asserted gender identity of each patient while maintaining confidentiality and avoiding duplicate charts;

4. that insurance plans offer coverage for health care that is specific to the needs of youth who identify as TGD, including coverage for medical, psychological, and, when indicated, surgical gender-affirming interventions;

5. that provider education, including medical school, residency, and continuing education, integrate core competencies on the emotional and physical health needs and best practices for the care of youth who identify as TGD and their families;

6. that pediatricians have a role in advocating for, educating, and developing liaison relationships with school districts and other community organizations to promote acceptance and inclusion of all children without fear of harassment, exclusion, or bullying because of gender expression;

7. that pediatricians have a role in advocating for policies and laws that protect youth who identify as TGD from discrimination and violence;

8. that the health care workforce protects diversity by offering equal employment opportunities and workplace protections, regardless of gender identity or expression; and

9. that the medical field and federal government prioritize research that is dedicated to improving the quality of evidence-based care for youth who identify as TGD.

Citation:

Jason Rafferty (2018) Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics Sep 2018, e20182162; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-2162 (direct pdf)