Parents of transgender kids call for compulsory Safe Schools program for primary schools

http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/parents-of-transgender-kids-call-for-compulsory-safe-schools-program-for-primary-schools-20160325-gnr1k5.html

via shm.com.au | by Timna Jacks

At the age of four, Arlow developed a tic. He had an inexplicable blink. In the absence of a medical diagnosis, his mother Kobe Poulter, put the cause down to stress. Arlow had worn fairy dresses to creche, but around the time his blinking emerged, he was in kindergarten and hiding his dresses. Two years later, on Arlow's first day of school, he kicked and screamed and begged not to wear the boys' uniform. Eventually, Arlow's mother "twigged".

"I blurted out, 'why don't I buy you girls' clothes?' He looked at me like it was Christmas, and said, 'yes mum, no more dress ups, I want real girl clothes '. And I went, 'oh this is it, this is what it is'."

Arlow's school contacted the Safe Schools Coalition Victoria, who offered training for teachers about gender diversity, and helped re-shape the school's policies to allow Arlow to wear the girls' uniform and use girls' toilets. Arlow, who is now seven, is a much happier young girl called Isla.