Eli’s Story

Trigger warning: Transphobia, bullying and physical assault

This is a real story, from a 14-year-old boy named Eli who is transgender and going to high school for the first time.

Discuss the story and the role of bystanders in preventing or stopping violence by asking participants to respond to some of the following questions:

• What feelings did you hear from Eli as he described what happened?

• How might the other students on the bus have felt?

• What do you think would make someone scared or reluctant to stand up in a situation like that?

• What strategies can you think of to work around that fear or reluctance?

• What could you personally do to make a difference?

This is an excerpt from Next Gen Mentors, our set of resources and community of practice for facilitators working with boys and nonbinary youth on topics of mental health, healthy relationships and gender equality.