2026 GenderCool Experience Portal

Course Chapters

1. What's all this transgender and nonbinary stuff about?
2. When the topic of transgender and nonbinary youth becomes personal...
3. Acceptance can be simple
4. Mythbusting
5. Where did all the hostility come from?
6. What It Means to Be an Ally
7. Places that work every day to improve LGBTQ+ lives.
8. The GenderCool Project

What's all this transgender and nonbinary stuff about?

An introduction to transgender and nonbinary identities through real stories from GenderCool Champions and their families. Here at the GenderCool Project our young leaders drive everything we do. Their voices are powerful and inspiring. By sharing their stories they are helping to replace misinformed opinions.

Definition of transgender

A transgender person (sometimes shortened to trans person) is someone whose gender differs from the gender they were assigned at birth.

Definition of nonbinary

A nonbinary person is someone who does not identify exclusively as a male or a female. Someone who is nonbinary might feel like a mix of genders, or like they have no gender at all.

When the topic of transgender and nonbinary youth becomes personal...

Exploring how people respond when the conversation about transgender and nonbinary youth becomes personal. Listen to your kids. Open your heart and close your mouth.

Acceptance can be simple

It's important to recognize that we don't actually need to know all the LGBTQ+ terminology to be accepting of others. In fact, we shouldn't really focus on how to define others. Allow others the space and comfort to define themselves to you. Acceptance does not come from understanding. Acceptance comes from love.

Mythbusting

Addressing damaging myths about transgender and nonbinary young people. There is so much misinformation about transgender children, their caregivers, and even their health providers.

Kids aren't smart enough or old enough to know their gender

American Psychological Association research indicates that most children, including transgender and nonbinary children, have a strong sense of their gender identity by age 2. Studies have established that trans kids can have as strong gender identities as their counterparts, emphasizing that even very young children who say they're not the gender they were assigned can and do know their authentic gender.

There are only two genders

Biology and science have long recognized genders beyond the binary of males and females. There is an innate gender identity in everyone, it just comes to light when it doesn't coincide with our assigned gender at birth.

Transgender and nonbinary young people upset or confuse other kids

Transgender and nonbinary experiences are rare. Often, transgender and nonbinary children find themselves to be the only person with that life experience when among groups of friends and classmates. In fact, there are currently thousands of kids who are friends with transgender and nonbinary kids without creating any confusion. The younger generations are more inclusive and accepting of others.

People choose to be transgender or nonbinary

People become aware that they are not the gender they were assigned at birth. It is not a choice. In the same way, cisgender people know who they are, and transgender and nonbinary people also know who they are. The only choice is whether or not they choose to share with others.

Being transgender or nonbinary is a new trend or phenomenon

Transgender and nonbinary people have been documented in many indigenous, Western, and Eastern cultures throughout history, since the beginning. The interpretation of gender, however, varies across different cultures and societies.

Where did all the hostility come from?

A trail of organizations creating harm. Over the last two decades, there have been a few organizations that focus on pushing back some of the most marginalized people, including transgender children. Every major medical association and leading world health authority supports health care for transgender people, including transgender youth. Through it all, trans young people thrive with support, and lead the way!

What It Means to Be an Ally

Being an ally can mean different things to each person. Without action, it is not possible to be an ally. We need to all unite together, accepting each other and ourselves.

1. Listen to other people's experiences. Being an attentive listener can be one of the most impactful ways to be an ally. Once we listen and learn from people's experiences, we are in a better position to understand the best ways to support them.
2. Advocate for others. We need to step into sometimes difficult conversations to speak up for those we support. Always lend our voices to those who cannot.
3. Be Kind. Maybe the easiest way to be an ally.

Places that work every day to improve LGBTQ+ lives.

There are many hundreds of organizations that have helped the LGBTQ+ community over the past 50+ years. The best support comes from countless families, friends, neighbors, communities, and in many cases, schools.

The next-generation workforce is already here. Customers are also increasingly from Generation Z. In fact, nearly 30% of Gen Z are LGBTQ+. Successful companies do not ignore this population while reaching their goals.

The GenderCool Project

The GenderCool Project's mission is to replace misinformed opinions with powerful, positive experiences meeting transgender and nonbinary young people, and their families, who are thriving. GenderCool works with more than 20 extraordinary Champions—diverse transgender and nonbinary young people ages 12 and up—to change the narrative surrounding transgender and nonbinary youth. Through leadership development, education, advocacy, and visibility, GenderCool is uniquely impacting culture, policy, and business worldwide.