Coalition of Boys Schools to Organize Training Session with Transgender Activist Group

The International Boys School Coalition (IBSC) to Host Training on Gender Inclusive Schools

The International Boys School Coalition (IBSC), an international group representing K-12 boys schools, will be hosting a training on "gender inclusive schools" in collaboration with a transgender activist organization. The training will be held on September 19 and 20 and will be attended by faculty members from nearly 300 member schools of the IBSC. The nonprofit organization includes prestigious private K-12 schools such as Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Fairfield Country Day School in Connecticut, and Buckley School in New York.

Course on Foundations of Gender-Inclusive Schools

A course titled "Foundations of Gender-Inclusive Schools" will be offered in collaboration with Gender Spectrum, an organization that advocates for transgender rights. The organization promotes the idea of allowing children to explore their gender identity and supports transgender surgical clinics.

Training Objectives

This online training aims to help professionals in boys' schools understand and apply gender diversity in their practice. The training will provide an overview of gender-literacy concepts and present key terminology and concepts related to gender. Attendees will also learn about approaches for responding to resistance in implementing gender diversity.

Leadership and Focus of the Training

The training session is led by Carla Pena, a queer, nonbinary writer, educator, and activist. The focus of the training is on promoting LGBTQ+ rights, inclusive education, youth work, and community organizing.

Partnership with Gender Spectrum

Gender Spectrum, an organization, has been promoting and encouraging children to consider transitioning. They have organized online discussions with surgical clinics that perform medical interventions on minors. One session focused on "top surgery" and another on facial surgery. These sessions were done in partnership with the Gender Confirmation Center, a surgical clinic in San Francisco that offers various gender-affirming surgeries for adolescents, including top surgery, bottom surgery, body contouring, and facial surgery.

Collaboration with Other Organizations

The International Boys' Schools Coalition (IBSC) is not the only organization that has collaborated with Gender Spectrum to host a conference for private schools. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), a nonprofit organization representing over 1,600 K-12 schools in the US, has also organized a similar conference in partnership with the transgender activist organization.