Christy Whittlesey (she/her) is the Managing Editor of the Massachusetts Music Educators Journal and brings her experiences as a music educator, writer, researcher, and lifelong learner to this role. In addition to working on the MMEJ, Christy is the PK-12 Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator in the Chelmsford Public Schools, teaches doctoral students at UML, and regularly consults with school districts to make schools more gender-friendly learning environments where all can thrive. Her two books on this topic, It's OK to Say They: Tips for Educator Allies of Transgender and Nonbinary Students and The Beginner's Guide to Being a Trans Ally, are both fund-raisers for trans-led organizations and are available wherever books are sold online.