Over a Tuesday and Wednesday in late August, the NEU Trans and Non-Binary network hosted their first residential event. A chance for Trans and Non-Binary members of the NEU to network, upskill, and come together to celebrate what makes us unique educators.

The event was organised by the Network committee, which includes members of the LGBT+ OF and our member on the Executive, as well as our fantastic staff member.

There were a range of activities across both days, and it barely felt like we stopped to catch our breath. We started with a task where we were going to make an environment that was empowering and accommodating to all members present, and we came together to create that space. One of my surprise favourites was the use of jazz hands in place of clapping, as in the small conference room that noise quickly becomes overwhelming. The thoughtful nature of this session meant that when we came to discuss heavier topics later, we felt well supported by the organisers and the group as a whole.

This was especially important when we got to the highlight of our first day, a Q&A with our new General Secretary who had taken time out of his busy schedule to come and chat with us. Given the rampant transphobia in the media and government, it was great that he answered our questions so openly and candidly.

One of the most pressing issues in the minds of trans and nonbinary educators has been the incoming, ominous and ever looming guidance to schools on trans and nonbinary students. We had excellent input from the creators of the Trans and Non-Binary Educators website and another amazing NEU staff member on how the response to the expected consultations is going to be coordinated. As well as reassuring us in terms of the concrete actions that are being taken, the session highlighted the TNB website as a resource for the whole education community in supporting trans and nonbinary staff, students, and families.

We were asked to bring something that related to our gender journey to help create a pop-up ‘Museum of Transology’ on the second day. These objects ranged from poignant and affirming photographs to print-outs of memes as well as some performances of important poetry, either written by the speaker or another author. Although the sessions on this day were also fantastic, including some really great upskilling on how to talk to your district about trans and nonbinary issues as well as challenging transphobia, the focus on our lived experiences as trans and nonbinary educators brought a sense of belonging and community which is important when often you are the only trans or nonbinary member of staff in your workplace.