Rezension
"As President Barack Obama's Secretary of Education, I fought to ensure a safe, non-discriminatory environment for transgender young people in our nation's public schools and higher education institutions. The Advocate Educator's Handbook is rooted in the same inarguable premise that fueled those efforts: that trans youth have a right to learn in welcoming, nurturing schools where they can grow, be themselves, and live joyously. The challenge the authors have taken on, to help educators learn how to create and maintain such spaces, is crucial. Rigorous but not pedantic, The Advocate Educator's Handbook establishes a blueprint for creating, in your classroom and your school, the environment of acceptance trans youth need to succeed. What's more, this book clearly identifies the challenges in creating such environments, and the strategies for overcoming those difficulties. This is an important text for educators, parents, and those seeking to build safe and supportive communities for young people - and thankfully, it's also a well-written, superbly organized, optimistic and loving one."
-Dr. John King, Former US Secretary of Education, Chancellor SUNY University System
"A resource such as this couldn't come at a more crucial time, as transgender youth in the U.S. have become the opportunistic targets of the escalating waves of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation. With its comprehensive and methodical approach to tackling challenging issues facing advocates for transgender rights, this handbook will become a fundamental tool for anybody who works with and serves youth."
-Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality
"We celebrate the deeply informed respect at work throughout this guide for "creating schools where trans and non-binary students thrive." The Advocate Educators Handbook is a necessary tool for all who care about creating inclusive schools. Stories from trans youth strengthen every section. Knowledge is power!"
-Wendy Sanford, co-founder and co-author of Our Bodies, Ourselves and Cris Alonso, Board Member, Our Bodies Ourselves
"The notion of Brave Education is never in opposition to the idea of a safe education. Safety is just such a low bar and should be an inalienable feature of public education, not optional or a bragging point. The Advocate Educator's Handbook supports the notion that schools have to, first, be safe enough to honor the bravery so many LGBTQ+ students and educators are already demonstrating. Schools that promote a safe and excellent education for all students need this handbook if genuinely committed to living into that promise."
-Tim'm West, M.Ed., Executive Director, LGBTQ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
"For educators, administrators, school staff, and anyone else who has asked, 'How can I best support transgender students?' - this book is for you. The Advocate Educator's Handbook is scaffolded to meet educators where they are, and is a critical tool for creating safer, more inclusive learning environments for transgender students everywhere."
-Keygan Miller, Director of Public Training, The Trevor Project
"This is my job in a book! The Advocate Educator's Handbook is a one-stop shop for all the need-to-know information on supporting trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth in schools. It is an invaluable resource for educators and youth-serving professionals who want to implement equitable practices for LGBTQ+ youth."
-Booker Marshall, LGBTQ and Sexual Health Manager, Chicago Public Schools
"Ford and Kling have written one of the most comprehensive tools for educators not only to understand how to help LGBTQ+ thrive, but to understand how to position themselves, as educators, in the journey to understanding, acceptance, and advocacy of their students. Every teacher, counselor, administrator, and parent should know this book."
-Willie Carver, Author of Gay Poems for Red States, 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Member of the American Federation of Teachers National LGBTQ+ Task Force
"A modern guide for anyone seeking to boldly support transgender and non-binary students. Resources, reflection, real situations all in one."
-Levi Arithson, Program Manager, LGBTQ+ Equity Initiatives, Denver Public Schools
"This book could not come at a more critical time. Any youth serving professional or family member looking for tools to advocate for LGBTQ+ youth should read this book. I am grateful for the concrete strategies to ensure LGBTQ+ youth are in environments where they are valued and can be their authentic selves."
-Cheryl Greene, Senior Director, Welcoming Schools, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
"The Advocate Educator's Handbook is an accessible and comprehensive toolkit that teachers, administrators, policymakers, and parents can use to create more inclusive, affirming, and joyful educational experiences for trans and non-binary youth. By asking them to reflect on their own motivations, knowledge, and commitment to education, Ford and Kling inspire readers to disrupt inequitable policies and practices to better meet the needs of our gender-diverse students."
-Sara Moore, Associate Professor and Chairperson of Sociology, Salem State University
"As a parent of a trans youth, navigating the school system felt like an overwhelming and intimidating process. This book makes it less so! Every parent of a transgender kiddo should read this book and feel confident that their child can and should be supported in their schools and by their peers. Every teacher should read this to learn how to support and cultivate an inclusive classroom! This is a must read!"
-Lizette and Jose Truillo, Parent Advocates
"This book is a fantastic resource, and I cannot wait to share this book with educators throughout Minnesota! Whether you are new to these concepts or a seasoned advocate, this book has something that each of us can learn. As states and municipalities across the country pass vastly different policies regarding transgender and nonbinary children, this book offers steps that each of us can take, within the bounds of our local laws, to support a school atmosphere that allows transgender and non-binary students to thrive. Thank you for creating such an amazing resource!"
-Kelsey Waits, Activist and Founder of Transparent Alliance
"A timely and much-needed handbook! EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) practitioners, consultants, and facilitators like myself--not just teachers and school administrators--learn and benefit greatly from reading and using this excellent guide."
-Yee Won Chong, Senior Racial Equity Fellow, Western States Center for EDI
"The Advocate Educator's Handbook is beautifully written, clear, comprehensive, specifically helpful, warm, and open...open to human potential, to change, and to more beautiful, meaningful, joyful exchanges in our classrooms, led by, and centered upon, trans joy."
-Joji Florence, Co-Founder of Trans formative Schools
