A conference in Waterford will today hear that young trans and gender non-conforming school pupils experience better outcomes when schools are able to accommodate different gender identities in the classroom.

It’s being held jointly by the Transgender Equality Network Ireland and Waterford Children and Young People’s Services Committee in the Tower Hotel today.

TENI’s Health and Education Manager Vanessa Lacey said, the conference is aimed at schools authorities, principals, teachers and school support personnel facilitating or planning to facilitate young trans and gender non-conforming people.

Speakers at the conference include Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Aileen Murtagh, who will discuss Gender Variance and Dysphoria: Dr Michael Redmond of the Joint Managerial Body for Voluntary Secondary Schools on ‘Supporting Transgender Students at Secondary School and Dr Aoife Neary who will present the findings from her research – Gender transitions in Primary schools, the first report regarding the experiences of parents and teachers.