What is gender? I don't know any transgender people.
If this issue doesn't directly affect me, why should I care?
The truth is you don't know that no one in your life is transgender and there's a very good chance that if you've said anything remotely like the above to them, they might never feel safe enough to tell you.
A Beginner's Guide to Trans 101 is the very basic foundation for developing cultural competence in working with transgender individuals. With the increased visibility of the transgender community more industries and individuals are finding the need to increase their knowledge and understanding of issues that effect the transgender community.
It is important to learn appropriate and inappropriate ways to interact with members of the community so that your communication can be positive, non-stigmatizing and successful. And, well, just basically not be jerk.
Anyone who interacts with members of the public, or manages employees can benefit from this foundational course that covers terms and definitions, the differences between sex, sexuality and gender, the current issues facing the community and will give you tools you can use immediately such as do's and don'ts of behavior and language.
Whether you are in customer service, human resources, a manager, a friend or family member wanting to learn more to support a trans loved one this course will give you a solid foundation from which to begin your journey of cultural competence.
This course is foundational for folx who have none to little knowledge of trans issues. If you are interested in a deeper discussion about the etiology of gender please contact me directly with further course suggestions. If there is a need I am happy to co-create new offerings.
Please note that, as stated in this course, language is ever-evolving and the contents of this course were current the year it was last updated. If you are taking this course after the year it was made there are outdated terms. Please use the regularly updated resources listed in the course to learn the most current and respectful language. Plans to update this course after the US NCTE's 2022-2023 survey results are published.
