Specif ic rights in education There is no specific protection for discrimination in education. However, the Equality Act 2010 does cover employment in educational facilities and access to vocational training. It says that trans people can’t be treated unfairly in accessing or completing vocational training. Such discrimination is unlawful.
YOUR RIGHTS AS A TRANS PERSON Wherever you are in your process of transition, wherever you are aiming to get to and however you define your gender identity, you have these rights: • • •
To be covered by equal employment rights as a worker in an educational setting (see employment section above). To get equal access to vocational training. Not to be treated unfairly as a student on a vocational course to the extent that you are forced to leave the course before it ends.
The word trans is an umbrella term to describe people whose appearance, personal characteristics or behaviours differ from socially accepted stereotypes about how men and women are ‘supposed’ to be. Its use here does not imply that everyone coming under this umbrella uses this term to define themselves.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN ORGANISATION These responsibilities apply to your employees, volunteers, service users and/or customers and to your organisational procedures: • • • 87
To treat all employees equally, as covered by the employment section above. To take all action required to enable a student starting or going through a process of transition – or any trans person – to have an equal chance to finish a vocational course. To ensure that all trans applicants have equal access to vocational courses.