Understanding Gender Diversity

    

       Gender diversity is a sensitive and not yet fully understood topic that sometimes causes people to avoid or disagree with discussions on the topic. I have discovered and learned a lot that’ll help me in my future classrooms and scenarios. To start let's first talk about pronouns and how it's ultimately about respect for others and understanding. Pronouns are how we identify ourselves. We must use inclusive language to be mindful and helpful to ourselves and to the person we’re encountering with. (Pride Month 0:32) For example, saying “hey guys” try saying “hey everyone” to ensure comfortability and respect, especially if you're unsure of the person/person pronouns. The Trevor Project is a national survey on LGBTQ youth's mental health. That explains the rates of suicidal thoughts that have increased among the community (ages 13-24) over the last three years. I’ve learned some major findings from the Trevor project and how these ratings show the severity of the mental health of those who are a part of the LGBTQ community. 45% of the LGBTQ attempted suicide in the past year. (Paley, 2022). Fewer than 1 in 3 transgender and nonbionary found homes to be gender-affirming. (Paley,2022) 60% of the community wanted mental health care but were not able to get it. (Paley, 2022) This shows me the hardships the community face and how much they’re being neglected based on something about themselves. This not only impacts their mental health but also their experiences with anything else they face in the world like school and work. 80% of transgenders say they felt “different” in elementary school with 96% realizing their transgender before reaching adulthood. (Exploring Gender Identity) I’ve now read and learned ways to inform and educate myself on what to do in my future classroom and so on. Some of these tips I will be encouraging and encourage my readers to do the same is, maintaining an open mind that although gender identity is complex each of us and our identity is unique and respecting students' stories, and allowing them to inform others. The Lamarie project is based on a true story of a young boy named Matthew Shepard who was beaten to death because of his sexuality. Now, in the town of Lamairie people were against homosexuals. during State VS Henderson there were some interviews and one said” if I don't tell you I'm gay you won't hurt me?”(The Lamraie Project 40:10) nobody should live in that much fear which creates stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem to these people who identify differently. Not to mention the kids seen in Felps protest bout gays and is a pure example of where this hatred all starts from. This situation is a prime example of how important it is to talk about this, find solutions, and possibly pass certain laws. You want to bring comfort and openness to those who are suffering from acceptance and understanding as well as those who don’t understand this issue. Most of these suicides from the LGBTQ community are due to anxiety, depression, and neglect. We mustn’t be the ones to scare them or make them feel any less but to greet them with open arms and teach respect and communication. To see change and progress we must include our fellow teachers and those of color to have a say. LGBTQ, those of color, and different races all have experienced discrimination, lack of acknowledgment, and acceptance of their opportunities and everyday activities. Teachers of color who Make up 20% of the teaching profession, aren’t asked directly what they think would help in recruitment and retention efforts to diversify the profession. (Will, 2022) Teachers of color provide valuable academic and social-emotional benefits to all students, especially those of color. (Will,2022). There’s so much value in asking teachers for their genuine input on certain scenarios. We need more teachers of color to join the profession to help the diversity. The things that could help with that are teachers collaborating with other teachers and dedicated support staff. (Will,2022) Granting these wishes can bring more colored teachers into the profession and encourages overall progress in the community along with the LGBTQ community. Think about it, the more diverse we are in the workforce the more diverse and open we will be with other professions and individuals exploring their identities and paths in life. As well as promoting anti-racism and encouraging that in the classrooms. In an additional article, I read about racism and violence, teaching kids the truth about our hardships is beneficial to their future and their encounters with the world. The article talks about how and when to address racism or the questions children develop in the classroom about it. Very much similar to approaching people with a different pronoun. It's good to validate their feelings as well as encourage questions to ensure better understanding and create less confusion. (Hameed, Howard, Domingues, 2022) It’s important to be open-minded with all of these situations and approach them with respect and good intentions. Children know more than what we think and our next generation is the children growing up now. We can’t misinform them or let them be informed by the wrong crowd which can create more havoc and unfortunate outcomes. Although this is a sensitive topic to discuss it's important to acknowledge the reality in front of us and use it best with our knowledge to better and hopefully end the situation overall. This topic goes further than equality and suicide. There are so many things people face every day besides the ones I discussed, this must be fixed. There must be a way to change how to approach and include people that are different in race, ethnicity, and gender to ensure and provide the best opportunities and outcomes for whoever decides to do so. It’s important to know our boundaries, respect, and what freedom is. This is America and we have freedom, especially of our selves and sexuality. We have no right to judge or discriminate against anyone who expresses themselves differently, and each of our identities is all unique. 

References:

Pride Month: https://youtu.be/kIQ9R25hXPo

The Lamarie Project. (2012). https://youtu.be/u1qiTmF0p4A

Madeline, W. (2022). What Teachers of Color Say Will Actually Work to Diversify the Profession.

Education week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-teachers-of-color-say-will-actually-work-to-diversify-the-profession/2022/09

Amit, P. (2022) The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/

kenya, H., Jamie, H., & Janine, D. (2022)  Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence Supportin children while navigating your own big emotions. 

https://childmind.org/article/racism-and-violence-how-to-help-kids-handle-the-news/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=we’re%20offering%20guidance%20and%20advice%20for%20helping%20your%20child%20process%20their%20feelings%20as%20well%20as%20ideas%20to%20help%20parents%20dig%20in%20to%20challenging%20questions%20without%20turning%20away&utm_campaign=Weekly-06-02-20&fbclid=IwAR2DS0pCEkzhlNhHfezyDMbW5JifmbIvtst95dPKdfY9Daw5eZq45Mx2aKg

Students Exploring Gender Diversity APA Mental Health Primers. https://www.apa.org/ed/schools/primer/gender-identity

ng Gender Identity

APA Mental Health Primers