Seeing Queerly- RI Laws and Policies & Woke Read Aloud: They, She, He
Woke Read Aloud on YouTube by Woke Kindergarten
Pg 2: "Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program that receives federal funding within the Civil Rights Act."
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"Treat students consistent with their gender identity even if their school records or identification documents indicate a different sex..."
As I spend more time in the educational field, more and more students are exploring their options in gender identity. What I mean by this is, that people seem more open to the options they have, which include dressing in the gender they really are and using names that match their gender. When I was growing up you couldn't even convince your teachers to use your middle name instead. I feel like it is such an important thing, not only because it is their right, but because ALL students need to feel seen. (RI Laws and Policies).
Pg 10: "In order to further a safe and supportive school environment for all students, schools should incorporate education and training about transgender and gender non-conforming students into their anti-bullying curriculum, health education curriculum, student leadership trainings, and staff professional development."
I wish this actually happens in schools. FYI, it doesn't in Providence (as of at least 2016) and it doesn't happen in Central Falls. All we ever learn in the beginning of each school year is "Blood Pathogens"- don't touch blood- and "Restraint Training" -don't restrain a child without training. All these things are necessary, but so is this training. I am 35 years old and I know that schools were not open to LGBTQ students when I was a student, let alone the use of pronouns. It's important to train the educators in this subject matter, because times are changing and we need to keep up with the new generations. (RI Laws and Policies).
Min 10:35- "You might be used to hearing people call people that look like Kelly she or her or refer to them as girls. Now, I'm going to let you in on a big secret, just because people dress or look a certain way on the outside, that doesn't necessarily mean that they feel that way on the inside."
The video was not only informative, but it was presented in a manner that is easily accessible to almost all viewers. It's very important for cisgender people cannot fathom the idea of changing genders or identifying with other genders or not having a gender at all. It doesn't make sense to some of us, because we don't feel that way about our gender. It reminds me of how people of color struggle to tell their stories without facing non people of color's judgement. You don't have to live it, to give empathy and compassion and to treat everyone with dignity.
The quote from the video is also one that stood out to me! Although someone may look a certain way and to others those looks may be attributed to certain genders, does not mean that that specific gender or pronouns reflect how that person feels.
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