Alias Career and Non-binary Students in the Italian Educational Institution

This contribution describes the challenges non-binary students face in Italian secondary schools by analysing the alias career (carriera alias) regulations of 344 secondary schools. This school policy ensures that trans* students can use their chosen name on unofficial school documentation. While some tertiary institutions with the alias career have removed pathologising requirements, such as the requirement for a diagnosis, secondary education remains fragmented. As a result, non-binary individuals, especially those who do not pursue a medicalised transition, are particularly affected. The analysis found significant variation in eligibility criteria. Moreover, only a minority of schools used gender-neutral language within the regulations, with most institutions opting for the generic masculine or binary endings. Additionally, access to gender-neutral spaces, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, is severely lacking and sometimes not offered to the broader school community. To conclude, the study highlights the barriers non-binary students face, including the lack of nationwide standards, gatekeeping practices, and insufficient understanding of their needs.