[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

STEM Teaching Tool: How do we present gender, sex, and sexuality as part of inclusive and accurate science teaching?

The Gender-Inclusive Biology team collaborated with Gender Inclusive Classrooms and the UW STEM Teaching Tools team to create this concise, action-oriented brief on best practices.

Fourteen Recommendations to Create a More Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ Individuals in Academic Biology

This article in Life Sciences Education provides guidance for making biology inclusive in higher education and academia. The authors provide detailed recommendations for creating an inclusive collegial environment as well as adaptations to biology content and language.

The biology classroom is well-suited for discussions of gender and sexuality. As biologists, we have opportunities in our classrooms to dispel myths regarding the biology of attraction, biology of gender, sexuality, reproduction, hormones, and genetics. Instead of avoiding these topics, we recommend that instructors intentionally include them in class.

Are There “Transgender” Proclivities in Animals?

In JSTOR Daily, Juliet Lamb discusses non-human species that gain advantages by project an opposite-sex appearance which has parallels to transgender humans.

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.

Signaling Inclusivity in Genetics Topics - Article by Karen G. Hales

College professor Karen G. Hales wrote this article suggesting options for gender-inclusive adaptation of language within genetics courses at the college undergraduate level. Topics include biological sex, parenthood, genetic traits, and pedigree charts. This article is open access through Life Sciences Education Journal, Vol. 19, No. 2.

Hales KG. Signaling Inclusivity in Undergraduate Biology Courses through Deliberate Framing of Genetics Topics Relevant to Gender Identity, Disability, and Race. CBE Life Sci Educ. 2020 Jun;19(2):es2. doi: 10.1187/cbe.19-08-0156. PMID: 32357097.

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.

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.

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.

The Evolutionary Puzzle of Homosexuality

In BBC News, William Kremer discusses how homosexuality in humans and animal species may fit in with the theory of evolution.

The Evolutionary Mystery of Homosexuality

In The Chronicle of Higher Education, evolutionary biologist David P. Barash reviews six leading hypotheses for the evolution of homosexuality as a behavior.

6 Ways I Make My Science Class LGBTQ-Inclusive as a Trans Teacher

In this article for GLSEN, Lewis Maday-Travis offers six high-impact ways to include LGBTQ students in science class.