4 minute read
Over The Rainbow
Over the Rainbow Gender - Our children know best
By Celeste de Vis
Ellie’s pronouns are She/Her. Ellie is an 11yo child, one of seven people in her family. She lives with her mother, father, two brothers, her sister-in-law and their newborn baby, her nephew, Manolo.
Ellie’s radiates energy in abundance. She is a natural entertainer of the arts and has a generous spirit and is a peacemaker.
My favourite memories of Ellie over the years have been her singing and dancing performances to everyone at Rainbow Connections. This young lady was born for the stage and has rhythm, beat, pitch and attitude.
How old were you when you transitioned?
“I was six and a half years old when I transitioned into a girl.”
When did you know that you were really a girl?
“I was five years old when I knew that I was a girl. I loved to go through my mum’s clothes and walk around in my favourite outfits. I would wear a tee-shirt on my head and imagine that it was my beautiful, long hair.”
Ellie’s Mum, Kristy added, “She would use a tee shirt as hair every day.”
Were there any other transgender kids in your school?
“There were no transgender children at my school, so my parents had to contact Safe Schools Coalition to come and speak with my teachers and the students.”
Safe Schools Coalition was funded by La Trobe University and the Vic Government in supporting students who were part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s now handled by the Department of Education. One aspect of their role was to undertake professional development for school staff and assist the transition of transgender youth to be able to live authentically on the school property.
Some examples of their valuable contribution include: • School staff educated to be able to understand the transgender child and support the child, which includes controlling any bullying. • The student addressed by their chosen name. Their schoolbooks, school records and any other labels changed to that name.
• The student can use the toilets of their preferred gender. • The student can sleep in accommodation of their gender at camps. • The student can play a sport of their preferred gender.
Many schools were ill-equipped to advocate and support transgender kids until given the knowledge base, skill set and education from Roz, Mel, Joel and Matt. Safe Schools saves lives.
Ellie said, “We got Mel from Safe Schools to talk to my teachers.”
How would you describe living your old self, before transitioning?
“I did not feel comfortable in my body. I did have happy memories from when I was a boy, but I would talk about really feeling that I was a girl.”
Who could you talk to?“
I told my friends that I was a girl. They accepted me. I told my mum and dad that I was a girl. From the beginning, my mum was supportive. My dad became supportive after that.
“Two teachers from the school here I transitioned made me feel accepted and important. They were Mrs Purcell and Miss McNeill. I changed schools about a year later. At my current school, my favourite teachers who make me feel supported and included are Miss Smith and Mr Hurfurt.”
If you could go back to your past self now, what would you want to say to those around you?
“I would like to say to my past self be strong and be patient.”
What could you do back then that you cannot do now?
“I could stand up to go to the toilet.”
What can you do now that you could not do back then?
“I can go to the girl’s toilets at school, at a shopping centre, anywhere.”
Have you ever been bullied? If you can, describe how you felt?
“Yes. I have been bullied for being transgender. It makes me feel very sad. At school,
I can go to my teachers, Mr Hurfurt or Miss Smith, for help. The bully will usually get a warning or be made to walk with the teacher on yard duty. My school teaches Respectful Relationships. It does not tolerate bullying.”
Right now, Ellie you are 11yo. What would you like to say to your six year old self?
“I would say, Ellie, stay positive.”
Do you undertake any sport?
“Yes. Last year I joined a Hip Hop group. I love it!”
Did your parents contact the organisers and chat with them about you being transgender?
“Yes. My mum discussed it with them. They were supportive of me. There are other transgender students in the older dance classes, so the organisers have an understanding and are inclusive.”
If there is one thing, or more, that you would like to share with the readers, what would that be?
“Try and treat people the way you want to be treated. We are all special and all different in our own way!”
Celeste de Vis Rainbow Connections Mornington Peninsula
