As the social norms in America change and adjust over the years, so do the social taboos that go along with them. In a school in Maine, a transgender fifth grader was not allowed to use the girls’ bathroom, which is what she identified with. However, in court, it was ruled that this violated the anti-discrimination law and that a transgender SHOULD be able to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify.
While this is definitely a step in the progression of America, many districts are still grappling with the issue. By not allowing a student access to a certain place, it promotes the discrimination in schools, which should be a safe environment. It takes away the right for a student to express who they are. Being told to use the faculty bathroom or the bathroom in the nurse only emphasizes the humiliation and the isolation.
If America is a land of freedom and expression, then why are we not living up to our words? No person should be faced with being forced to use a gender restroom that they do not even identify with. Identification of gender is what should make up the school policies, and those students should not feel ashamed in that school environment to do so.
Transgender kids should definitely be able to use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify. It's also began to be an issue at single-gender schools who can and can't be admitted. For instance, Wellesley College, an all-girl school, has recently been confronted with the debate of admitting transgender students.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Segregation is in the past. Now is the time to create equality for blacks and whites/gays/ and transgender people!
ReplyDeletebut then what do you guys think about locker rooms? should everyone just share one and share one bathroom then? then why do we separate other things by gender?
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