Swiss trainee teachers know more about transgender issues but think more positively about intersex people

Abstract Transgender and intersex people experience significant social discrimination related to psychological distress. Creating safe school environments and improving attitudes towards trans and intersex people through education are therefore essential. This study investigated Swiss trainee teachers’ (1) knowledge, (2) affective, behavioural, and cognitive attitudes, and (3) predictors of their attitudes towards trans and intersex people. Participants ( N = 316) were randomly assigned to complete equivalent items about either trans or intersex issues. Several measures showed that the trainee teachers knew more about trans than intersex issues. Overall, their attitudes were positive towards both groups, but cognitive attitudes were significantly more positive towards intersex people. Hierarchical regression analyses found that lower endorsement of sex and gender binary beliefs most strongly predicted positive attitudes towards both trans and intersex people, underscoring the need for educational interventions that target these binary beliefs. We discuss the implications of these findings for inclusive schooling, taking into account the needs of sex and gender diverse young people.