I talked to two members of PRISM, TCNJ's LGBT+ organization, about their experiences being trans/nonbinary in New Jersey high schools. Here are some experiences from some people I talked to.

Though I didn't discover my gender identity until senior year, and stayed closeted until after graduation, I still had a grasp of how my high school regarded trans people. A few of my closest friends were trans and out, and I've heard that our teachers were very accommodating and accepting (with matters such as pronouns, and using preferred names over deadnames - provided it was a safe space to do so). This doesn't quite apply to all of them, but really it's hard to imagine a 100% accepting place realistically speaking. Most of the subtle transphobia came from other students actually, the most prominent time being a moment when I overheard some classmates debating whether or not to call my friend "it" when they had just publicly came out. It is mostly because of my classmates I think I waited to come out in terms of gender identity, haha- Bee, 20, they/them

After officially coming out right before my senior year, things began to be very different from how they had been previously. I began using a higher pitched voice and acting more traditionally feminine, despite not telling anyone but my closest friends about the truth in order to hide it from my family. Some asked me about why I talked in this new way and was acting different but I tried brushing it off for the most part, hiding it from my brother and his friends was the most challenging part because at any point one of them could show up and I would be busted. This brought about a massive amount of extra anxiety which caused my grades to suffer as I began to suffer from worse anxiety symptoms then what is typical for me. Despite all of this, I found Allies in my art and English teacher, who supported me and allowed me to talk to them about my experiences as I went for extra help or would stay to draw during lunch or after school. I also had my guidance counselor  who made sure I had resources and support if I ever needed it, and eventually came to my aid when I was eventually outed to my parents. Overall it was a very complicated experience, but despite it all it gave me a better appreciation for the community around me- Diana, 18, she/her 

WHY DOES THIS MATTER? - Schools are more often than not unsafe spaces for Trans and Nonbinary students, even if the school presents itself as one.  However, one positive and affirming teacher can make all the difference. Affirming a student is more than just using correct names and pronouns- it's openly advocating for their rights and allowing access to resources that can help them. 

How can we as teachers support and encourage Trans youth in the classroom?  This article from Rethinking Schools focuses on how to combat the waves of anti-trans propaganda targeted at our youth, and how crucial it is to do so. 

"And for those of us beyond the jurisdiction of these awful bills? We must be clear: This is our fight too. Educators and school staff must help make schools centers of resistance. Years ago, heroic AIDS activists proclaimed “Silence = Death” in the fight to save Queer lives. It remains true"

Fighting the current anti-trans culture is more than respecting pronouns or having pride flags in the classroom- it's about organizing against harmful legislation, donating to legal funds and charities for trans youth, and spending time in classrooms actively combatting legislation affecting schools. 

"We should organize in our unions and professional associations to develop guidance for navigating anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and draft clear statements opposing it. We should donate to legal funds to challenge these laws and defend those being targeted by them. And we should use our voices — on social media, in coffee shops, around the dinner table, at school board meetings and legislative sessions — to combat misinformation about Queer people and gender affirming health care"

Consider this, as future teachers- your trans students will be scared, and many may not have places they can feel safe and be themselves. Having your classroom be not just a safe space but an active space- a space for protest, a space for discussion, a space for activism- will give these students their voices back against a country that doesn't want them around.