Classroom Psychology

Baroness Hilary Cass gave an interview to Laura Kuenssberg in which she made a number of bold claims about gender diverse children and young people. Were any of them supported by the evidence? One was. Let's discover which one, together, in Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

Cora gives her annual holiday message. The world is as challenging now for gender diverse people as it has been in quite some time, but together we're going to make a world where everyone can find a place to belong.

'We are seeing that people are detransitioning at a pretty high rate' There are two new systematic reviews about the rate of detransition. How high is too high? We take a look together in Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'We will stand up for you' Is the world beginning to turn back toward supporting the trans community, and is there a way that we can grow and thrive even in a world that does not? Even in the context of transphobia, you know how we psychologically grow? Together. It's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'They should be in a straightjacket with a hard steel lock on it' Why are gender diverse folk reluctant to engage with research? Let's take care as we dive together into some of the most harmful research conducted on gender diverse people. It's Classroom Psychology. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'Unequivocally... those who underwent surgeries faced higher risks.' This week Cora goes toe-to-toe with an influencer to understand how a handful of studies show surprising outcomes from transition related healthcare, and we look at a systematic review to break the deadlock. It's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'It's a fetish, Janet!' What are gender critical beliefs and how have they become so mainstream? We take a look at how framing trans exclusion as the protection of women influences public opinion. And we laugh at just how radical some of these beliefs have become. It's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

The UK has released new schools guidance around keeping children safe and relationships and sex education and Cora reviews them both. They're an example of trans erasure, but don't worry, Cora totally keeps her cool... totally... It's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'The transgender movement is the most violent domestic terror threat in the world' Cora takes on Donald Trump Jr . and we take a look at the largest survey ever conducted, released just this week, about the health and wellbeing of gender diverse folk. It's Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

For trans folk being legible in the world can sometimes involve a change to their voice. Cora has been working on her voice and we take a look at before... and after... Can trans voices change with training? You be the judge. It's Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'...children experienced gender dysphoria after binge watching trans content on social media' Trans folk use social media like everyone else, but the effects are not quite the same. What happens when the models of what is possible in transition are somewhat idealised online? We take a look together, it's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

This week Cora takes on the EHRC, the Government, and the Supreme Court. What is 'passing' and why shouldn't passing be the benchmark for entry to appropriate spaces it is fast becoming? Bring your hot chocolate and pull up a chair, we'll get into it together. It's Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'They're attributing their experiences to gender when they're actually better understood as an autistic trait' What are experiences of young people at the intersection of gender diversity and neurodivergence, and what are the intersectional experiences of young people with multiple marginalised identities? We take a look together with the indefatigable Dr Abby Vines.

Where should we house transgender prisoners and what are their experiences? This is a difficult episode with a huge content warning, we are going to talk about sexual assault, about violence, about self harm and suicidality. There are lots of things we can do to better support our gender diverse prison population, so let's review them. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

'Tr***y tr***y tra**y, I don't care, you want pe****s in women's bathrooms' We ponder stigmatising language and what happens when people begin to internalise stigma. It's a wild world out there but thankfully we're not alone. It's Classroom Psychology!!! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

Researchers from California got in touch to ask a series of fascinating questions, so I thought we'd try something a little different, as we get into sommething a little more personal, and a little cozier. It's Classroom Psychology!

'...to say therefore I am a woman is just a betrayal of language' We tackle the question of gendered brain development and wonder what kind of brains transgender folk have. This field is beyond Cora's skills to understand... and it shows. But we're in this together, it's Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

There are a handful of studies that look at the relationship between GnRHa and cognitive development, in terms of IQ and executive functioning. We find that these studies, as weak as they are, are alarming but that the model of care your country endorses creates very different implications for these findings. Let's get into it together in Classroom Psychology! References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing

The holiday season can be really challenging for gender diverse folk, and this year, given the year it has been, it's particularly difficult. So Cora offers a little holiday message for her gender diverse kin out there, and we look forward to next year together, and remember that we are working together to create a world where everyone, everyone, can find a place to belong.

'The gender craziness is most common in wealthy, White, progressives' We take a look at big representative research around the world to wonder about the demographics of trans and non-binary people. I was surprised to learn that the community does not reflect the population in some important ways. Let's dive in together in Classroom Psychology. References: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4m8fTy9t4yTVDr9zjumGcb4L8R3gGhmLhLxJ0Cf9TY/edit?usp=sharing