What does it mean to identify as Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC)?

About this course: In the last decade transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have become increasingly visible in our families, culture, and public discourse. This course explores the concept of gender identity for people who are curious about the nature of gender, the process of gender affirmation, or changing social dynamics. Participants will learn the unique challenges faced by the TGNC population as well as develop the skills to build inclusive spaces in all spheres of their life. This course was developed under the Joycelyn Elders Chair in Sexual Health Education at the University of Minnesota.

Created by:  University of Minnesota

• Taught by:  Rebecca Graetz, EdD, Instructor

  University of Minnesota - Progam in Human Sexuality

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University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Welcome!



In the last decade transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have become increasingly visible in our families and culture. This course explores the concept of gender identity for people who are interested in the nature of gender, the process of gender affirmation, or changing social dynamics. Participants will learn the unique challenges faced by individuals within the TGNC population as well as develop the skills to build inclusive spaces in all spheres of their life. Each module will contain original video content, readings, and other multimedia to enhance the learning experience. Throughout the course, participants will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge via short multiple choice quizzes and/or discussion sections that challenge you to reflect on your learning experiences. This course was developed under the Joycelyn Elders Chair in Sexual Health Education at the University of Minnesota.


1 video, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Welcome Message - Dr. Eli Coleman
2. Reading: Pre-Assessment

WEEK 2


Introduction to Gender Identity



Gender identity is a wide spectrum beyond the binary of male and female. Each and every one of us has a gender identity innate to our experience as humans. While gender is all around us, much remains unknown about the development of gender identity. This module introduces the basics of gender and explores how gender affects our daily lives.


11 videos, 18 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction to Gender Identity - Nova Bradford
2. Reading: Gender and Sexuality
3. Reading: The Language of Gender
4. Video: Gender Identity - Dr. Katie Spencer
5. Reading: Additional Resources
6. Reading: An Introduction to Transgender People
7. Reading: Understanding Transgender People
8. Reading: Understanding the Transgender Community
9. Reading: Understanding Non-Binary People
10. Video: Gender Queer - Dr. G. Zachariah White
11. Video: Pronouns - Nova Bradford
12. Reading: Gender Pronouns
13. Reading: Why Pronouns Matter for Trans People
14. Video: Importance of Language - Dr. G. Zachariah White
15. Reading: Questionable Questions
16. Reading: Pronoun Game
17. Reading: Additional Resources
18. Video: Evolution's Rainbow - Dr. Joan Roughgarden
19. Reading: Nature and sex redefined – we have never been binary
20. Reading: Between the (Gender) Lines
21. Video: "Should research focus on the genetic basis of transgender identities?" - Dr. Brian Rood
22. Reading: Additional Resources
23. Video: Introduction to Dysphoria and Mental Health - Nova Bradford
24. Video: Gender Dysphoria - Dr. Katie Spencer
25. Video: History of TGNC People and Mental Illness - Cei Lambert
26. Video: Working with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Populations - Dr. G. Zachariah White
27. Reading: American Psychological Association
28. Reading: Probing the Complexities of Transgender Mental Health
29. Reading: Additional Resources

Graded: Terminology and Language
Graded: Science of Gender
Graded: Science of Gender and Mental Health

WEEK 3


Digital Stories
A collection of first-person narratives exploring the ups and downs of daily life as a transgender or gender nonconforming (TGNC) individual from several points of view.


14 videos, 3 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction to Digital Stories - Nova Bradford
2. Video: This is Ben
3. Video: This is Leonardo
4. Video: This is Paula
5. Video: This is Maya
6. Video: This is Samwise
7. Video: This is CeCe
8. Video: This is Anne
9. Reading: Transgender Oral History Project
10. Reading: Additional Resources
11. Video: Our Story as Parents - Chris and Sarah
12. Video: Parenting, Family and Divorce - Paula Overby
13. Video: This is our family - Ben and Katrina-Marie
14. Video: Losing Friends and Keeping Friends - Chris, Sarah and Maya
15. Reading: Parenting Non-Binary Kids
16. Video: Dating before Transition - Maya
17. Video: My Spouse - Ben

WEEK 4


Understanding the Process of Gender Affirmation
Developing a healthy gender is a lifelong process. For individuals that identify as transgender or gender nonconforming, the process of gender affirmation can take many forms as they age from children to older adults.


8 videos, 10 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction to Gender Affirmation - Nova Bradford
2. Video: Gender Creative or Expansive Children - Dr. Dianne Berg
3. Reading: Supporting Gender Independent Children and Their Families
4. Video: Informed Consent and Adolescents - Dr. Dianne Berg
5. Video: Gender Affirming Medical Care for Youth - Dr. Eric Meininger
6. Reading: The K-12 Binary
7. Reading: Additional Resources (Children)
8. Reading: Additional Resources (Youth)
9. Video: Gender Dysphoria and Gender Affirmation - Dr. Brian Rood
10. Video: Medical Transition - Cei Lambert
11. Reading: Here’s What Trans People Who Aren’t Medically Transitioning Want You To Know
12. Video: Aging and Transgender Populations - Phil Duran
13. Reading: Truth and Transgender at 70
14. Reading: The Challenge of Being Transgender in a Nursing Home
15. Reading: Additional Resources
16. Reading: The Why, When, and How of Coming Out
17. Video: Coming out to Family - Ben
18. Reading: Coming Out Again, 10 Years Later

Graded: Gender Affirmation: Children and Youth

WEEK 5


History and Culture



From advocacy to sports, transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have made significant contributions to our culture. Learn about the history of prominent TGNC individuals and movements while contributing to the discussion of how these figures (and many others) have been portrayed by the media.


7 videos, 13 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction to Historical Roles, Media and Culture - Nova Bradford
2. Video: Black Excellence Tour - CeCe McDonald
3. Reading: Transgender History in the United States
4. Reading: S.T.A.R
5. Video: Brief History of Medical Care - Dr. Katie Spencer
6. Video: Personal Interest in History of LGBT Community - Anne
7. Reading: Jenner: 40 Years After Gold
8. Reading: Additional Resources
9. Video: Theater as Therapy - Dr. G. Zachariah White
10. Reading: Andrea Jenkins
11. Reading: Lee Mokobe
12. Reading: Julia Serano
13. Reading: Rae Spoon
14. Reading: Additional Resources
15. Video: Media - Ben
16. Video: Trans Visibility - Samwise
17. Reading: Transparent
18. Reading: Janet Mock - "Revealing Caitlyn Jenner"
19. Reading: Sense8
20. Reading: Economics and the transgender community
21. Discussion Prompt: Visibility of Transgender Populations

Graded: History

WEEK 6


Society and Public Policy in the United States



Anti-transgender policy discussions from "Bathroom Bills" to open participation in the military have been on the forefront of national conversation for the last decade. This module will delve into the disparities that transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals face in society at large from healthcare to incarceration and discrimination.


21 videos, 29 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction to Society and Public Policy in the United States - Nova Bradford
2. Reading: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
3. Reading: 2015 U.S Transgender Survey
4. Video: Discrimination and Bathroom Policies - Dr. Joan Roughgarden
5. Video: Employee Benefits and Access to Care - Phil Duran
6. Video: Youth, Schools and Legal Issues - Phil Duran
7. Video: Legal Barriers and Identity Documents - Phil Duran
8. Video: Title IX - Phil Duran
9. Video: Insurance and ACA - Samwise
10. Video: Policy and Patients - Dr. Eric Meininger
11. Reading: Intersectionality Fact Sheet
12. Video: Intersectionality - CeCe McDonald
13. Reading: It's Incredibly Scary to Be a Transgender Woman of Color Right Now
14. Video: Machismo - Dr. Leonaro Candelario
15. Video: Puerto Rico and Gender - Dr. Leonardo Candelario
16. Reading: Transgender Latina Immigrants in U.S. Societies
17. Reading: Being Disabled and Transgender
18. Reading: Additional Resources
19. Reading: Housing & Homelessness
20. Video: Culture Competency and Working with Homeless Transgender Youth - Avenues for Homeless Youth
21. Video: Transphobia, Homophobia and Discrimination - Avenues for Homeless Youth
22. Reading: "I Can't Keep Living Like This"
23. Video: Transphobia - Phil Duran
24. Reading: The Transgender Crucible
25. Reading: Violence Against the Transgender Community in 2017
26. Reading: Additional Resources
27. Reading: 'That's my sister': transgender life in jail and on the street
28. Video: Prison Industrial Complex - CeCe McDonald
29. Reading: CeCe McDonald and A Roadmap for Change
30. Reading: Is A Georgia Prison Trying To Cover Up The Rape Of A Transgender Woman?
31. Reading: A Grim Reminder: Solitary Confinement is Deadly for Trans Folks
32. Reading: Additional Resources
33. Video: Introduction to Healthcare Disparities for Transgender Populations - Nova Bradford
34. Reading: Transgender Healthcare Equality
35. Reading: Transgender People Still Experience Barriers to Healthcare
36. Reading: Southern Comfort
37. Video: HIV in Transgender Populations - Dr. Brian Rood
38. Video: Medical Transition and Mental Health - Samwise
39. Video: Out of Pocket Costs - Phil Duran
40. Video: Healthcare Disparities for Youth - Dr. Eric Meininger
41. Reading: Transgender health care horror stories
42. Reading: Additional Resources
43. Reading: Being Transgender in the Military - Aaron Belkin
44. Reading: Transgender, at War and in Love
45. Reading: Transgender National Guard Troops - Minnesota
46. Video: Military Experience - Anne
47. Reading: Transgender Service Members Can Now Serve Openly, Carter Announces
48. Reading: Transgender Military in the United States
49. Reading: The VA Just Dealt a Big Blow to Transgender Veterans
50. Reading: Additional Resources

Graded: Pop Quiz!
Graded: Legal Policy
Graded: Intersectionality
Graded: Homelessness
Graded: Incareceration
Graded: Transgender Healthcare
Graded: Military Personnel

WEEK 7


Creating Inclusive Spaces



Creating inclusive spaces for transgender populations can be done with positive awareness. From becoming an actionable ally to helping workplace and school transition spaces to promoting transgender awareness and acceptance will bring the inclusiveness all populations and not just those who are different from ourselves.


13 videos, 9 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction to Creating Inclusive Spaces for Trans People - Nova Bradford
2. Video: Being an Ally and Advocate - Dr. Katie Spencer
3. Reading: Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally
4. Reading: Additional Resources
5. Video: Transition in the Workplace - Ben
6. Video: Transition in the Workplace - Paula Overby
7. Reading: Transgender Visibility in the Workplace
8. Reading: At Work in Two Genders
9. Reading: Trans Toolkit for Employers
10. Video: Gender Inclusive Spaces in Schools - Phil Duran
11. Reading: Gender Inclusive Schools Toolkit
12. Video: Host Home Experience - Avenues for Homeless Youth
13. Video: Inclusive Spaces for Homeless Transgender Youth - Avenues for Homeless Youth
14. Video: Inclusive Clinics - Samwise
15. Reading: 10 Things: Creating Inclusive Healthcare Environments for LGBT People
16. Video: Public Inclusive Spaces - Cei Lambert
17. Reading: Additional Resources
18. Video: Looking Forward - Paula Overby
19. Video: TGNC Rights - Phil Duran
20. Video: Thinking Outside the Box - Avenues for Homeless Youth
21. Video: Uplifting Others - CeCe McDonald
22. Reading: Post-Assessment

Graded: Allydom
Graded: Gender in the Workplace
Graded: Inclusive Spaces
Graded: Creating Inclusive Spaces and Enviroments