Book Discussion Questions
A candid and emotional coming-of-age story that follows the journey of an Irish Lebanese American trans teen navigating the challenges and joys of self-discovery and love amid the confines of a small, midwestern town. Educators and parents should know that this book is best for older teens.
How to Host a Brave Conversation Guide
Hosting a brave conversation requires intentional planning, active facilitation, and a commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment. This guide aims to assist facilitators in establishing a positive environment for deep conversations and conflict navigation.
Activities
Read Brave "I Am" Poem
An "I Am" poem is a fun way to explore and express your personal identity, emotions, and experiences through a series of statements. When you write one, you start each line with "I am" and dive into describing who you are, expressing your emotions, and sharing your experiences. It's a creative way to explore and capture your unique identity and perspective.
7 Easy Activities That Encourage Students to Open Up About Identity and Privilege
This blog presents seven interactive activities that help to facilitate discussions on topics of inclusion, diversity, and privilege. Find tips for ensuring inclusivity in the activities, sample debriefing questions, and specific instructions for each activity. The activities cover themes such as revealing personal facts, sharing beliefs on controversial topics, exploring the meaning behind names, discussing forced identities, and addressing privileges through a hypothetical "Privilege for Sale" scenario.
If You Liked: Man O' War
Additional Resources
Resources for Allies
Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People (The Trevor Project)
Resources for Parents of Transgender Youth
Personal Pronoun and Gender Inclusive Guideline
Blogs, Forums and Podcasts - TransParent USA
Resources for Transgender/Non-binary Individuals
Coming Out as Transgender And/OR Nonbinary
Coming Out as a Trans or Non-Binary Youth: Sample Coming Out Letter + Support Resources
Resources A-Z | OutFront Minnesota
LGBT Rights / Minnesota State Law Library
Religion & Faith - Human Rights Campaign
Communities of Color - Human Rights Campaign
10 of the Best Trans and Non Binary Podcasts
Celebrating Identity
Intersecting Identities and Space Making | Kaamila Mohamed | TEDxMiddlebury
My identity is a superpower -- not an obstacle - America Ferrera (TED talk)
Claiming your Identity by understanding your self-worth - Judge Helen Whitener (TEDxPortofSpain)
Special thanks to Gabby Holzmer who served as an integral partner in the creation of this year's online toolkit. She worked to gather resources and update the How to Have a Brave Conversation guide in collaboration with Read Brave team members. Gabby received her master's of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from St. Catherine University and is currently a law librarian at the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Read Brave Saint Paul is brought to you by Saint Paul Public Library, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, and the City of Saint Paul. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with special support from a Saint Paul Public School’s Community Partnership ARP Grant.
