I work in a school district that strives to be inclusive, despite the location in a state where the government is hell-bent on bullying marginalized people. For the past few weeks, the governor's target of choice has been transgender children and their families. Teachers were targeted also, as the governor stated that mandated reporters would have to snitch on those families, calling out gender-affirming care and medical treatment as "abuse". (Apparently, our governor has no regard for FERPA and HIPAA and patient confidentiality...)
Within this miasmic context, our school's equity team offered an optional luncheon during a professional development day, with teachers from another campus presenting on LGBTQ inclusivity in schools. They talked a little about their own experience as people who are queer, but focused more on creating welcoming environments in which all students are seen and feel safe.
They reminded us that, especially in elementary school, this is not about sexual orientation (a topic that tends to unnerve people). This is about gender affirmation--allowing children to be who they are, without judgment and with acceptance. This could mean a change in preferred pronouns, a change of name, a change in appearance. The presenters acknowledged that this isn't always easy for adults to deal with, but emphasized that it is indeed necessary, quoting the statistics on suicidal ideation of teens who are queer. Having even one accepting adult in their lives makes those statistics drop significantly.
We know what trauma can do to a student. We know that children learn best when they feel safe. We know it is our job to care for and teach all students, not just the ones that fall within the circles of our comfort zones.
In my library, I am striving toward representation of my learning community in our collection. I am reading books that have characters who are queer within mainstream plots of family and school life. And within view of students as they enter the space, I've placed some stickers to know that all are welcome and safe here.
(Both stickers were purchased with my own funds from Amazon.com)
For more information on LGTBQ issues, please visit the Human Rights Campaign site: https://www.hrc.org/
"We know it is our job to care for and teach all students, not just the ones that fall within the circles of our comfort zones." Yes! Thanks for creating safe spaces for all the students in your school.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine how hard it must be to live/work in a state like this. The kids and families in your community are lucky to have someone like you in their corner.
ReplyDeleteBravo, my friend! Our state officials really do not fathom the injury to the very children that their ideological law is 'meant' to protect.
ReplyDeleteHaving those stickers is such an important gesture of inclusion and affirmation. They hurt no one and help so many, yet I bet they’d drive those haters crazy. I can remember when LGBTQI students dared not reveal themselves. The journey toward love and acceptance has been long and painful. Now kids have to de w/ the alt-right Stasi haters. There can be no fence riding on this issue.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post. I have wondered what in the world teachers and librarians are doing in the state of Texas with these inhumane, cruel, and hateful new laws and policies. As Glenda says, there can be no fence riding on this issue. Such a beautiful line about caring for all students.
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