Trans Student Educational Resources

Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) is a United States-based organization advocating for greater recognition of transgender youth in educational institutions. The organization was founded in 2011 by teen activists Eli Erlick and Alex Sennello and is currently the only national organization led by transgender youth.

TSER offers public resources on understanding and interacting with transgender students, including training for educators, online infographics, and workshops at conferences. Members of the organization also advocate for transgender educational justice in media.

Mission
The mission statement of TSER describes themselves as follows:

"Trans Student Educational Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming students through advocacy and empowerment. In addition to our focus on creating a more trans-friendly education system, our mission is to educate the public and teach trans activists how to be effective organizers. We believe that justice for trans and gender nonconforming youth is contingent on an intersectional framework of activism. Ending oppression is a long-term process that can only be achieved through collaborative action."

History
Trans Student Educational Resources began as an effort to promote activism among young transgender students in support of relevant changes to school district policy. At the time of the organization’s founding, very few anti-discrimination policies protecting transgender people had been enacted in the United States, while visual resources relevant to the transgender community were scarce. TSER began its own infographic series in 2012, expanding its audience and member participation. TSER is also involved in organizing the annual International Transgender Day of Visibility.

In 2014, the organization changed its name from Trans Student Equality Resources to Trans Student Educational Resources, citing that equality is "not enough" for the transgender community.

Work
TSER began publishing transgender-related infographics in 2012. Release continued following initial support. According to director Eli Erlick, TSER's graphics have been publicized by millions of blogs, web sites, and organizations. TSER staff have spoken at conferences and provided information on accommodating transgender students.

TSER also engages in transgender youth leadership development, organizational training, and media advocacy. In 2014, multiple TSER members advocated for trans-inclusivity at women's colleges.

TSER released the “Gender Unicorn” diagram in 2014 as a method of personal identification in respect to spectrums of gender and sexuality, with translations in multiple languages. The diagram was quickly adopted by schools, colleges, and universities across the world. In 2016, it was criticized by conservative Christian pundits, such as blogger Matt Walsh at Blaze Media and evangelist Franklin Graham. In 2017, the Gender Unicorn was discussed in the Senate of Canada during debate regarding Bill C-16.