He started Grade 12 as Matt. By prom night, he was Jade.
He was ready. His parents were ready. Was his school?
Discover one young person's incredible courageous story. Learn about one counsellor's passion and pursuit to educate others about the experience. It is with great pleasure that Delisle Youth Services lets you know about this great national story of interest.
It is a story widely published in Toronto Star in June 2005 and Dale Callender, the Delisle at Northern worker, who worked with Jade, has written an educational manual of how Jade, formerly identified as "Matt" - the High school Student Council President, made a gender transition change in her last year of high school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
When Matt Became Jade is a story and manual that assists in providing a foundation to educators, parents, students, and professionals about how a sensitive and vulnerable transition was done successfully at a high school in
The manual will be part of an edited collection, "Talking about Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in Education", dealing with real experiences of a diverse group of students, teachers, educators and parents. It is hoped it will open a discussion on the importance of considering sexual orientation and gender diversity in education. It is to be published by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
Jade's story is a remarkable one: a Student Council President who decides to be who she really is in her last year of High school. With the lack of information about how to make a gender transition in educational settings, Professionals, Educators, parents and students can use the manual to provide a framework for inclusion, respect and sensitivity.
It is a story that we believe should be shared for its opportunity to educate and break down barriers of intolerance and discrimination.
Please feel free to contact Dale for further information; questions or comments at 416-489-9586 or dalecallender3@hotmail.com