Transgender students say Hamilton schools need to do more to protect and support them

Transgender students and their families say Hamilton's public and Catholic school boards need to do more to protect and support them as they face daily issues from students and staff.

Crystal Kells, who uses they/them pronouns, says their 10-year-old transgender daughter Keeyan has had issues with her Grade 4 teacher at St. Joachim Catholic Elementary School since the start of the school year.

Kells said the teacher has been misgendering Keeyan despite repeated reminders about it. Kells says it's beyond an accident now, calling it "constant discrimination," especially because of Keeyan's appearance.

"If you were to see her, you wouldn't know any different ... she looks like a binary girl, acts like one, talks like one, so it's hard to see or think of her as anything else," Kells told CBC Hamilton.

The issue of misgendering is important, as transgender people have higher rates of suicide and mental health issues than others, according to research. A recent study led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto suggests such concerns are linked to the discrimination they face.

Kells said Keeyan's former name appeared on screen during virtual schooling and the teacher wasn't quick to help.

Using a trans person's former name is also called deadnaming and, like misgendering, can be harmful.

Kells said they tried meeting with the teacher before the school year started to avoid any issues, but the teacher declined. Kells also said the school's principal and superintendent haven't been supportive and haven't taken their concerns seriously.

"There are thousands of LGBTQIA+ children in our city (out AND not out) that don't have the love and support my child has and the severe damage that any of THOSE children might face at the hands of these women is too much for me to bear. I will be fighting this hard," reads part of the email with their formal complaint to the Hamliton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB).

Board spokesperson Marnie Jadon said HWCDSB is taking the concerns "very seriously."

"We are fully committed to the dignity of each individual and ensuring that they feel welcomed and accepted in our schools. The concerns have been brought to the attention of our senior administration and will be fully investigated."

Kells said they're in contact with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and plans to file formal complaints.

Alex, a Grade 8 student at Dr. J. E. Davey Elementary School, told CBC Hamilton earlier this year that teachers consistently referred to them by the wrong gender and used their former name. They added that unlike students, who have reportedly been suspended, none of the teachers seem to face any consequences.

"It made me not like school and not want to go there," Alex, who is only being identified by their first name due to their age and safety concerns, previously said.