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Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students

Whitney Hyde Grand Canyon University EDU-330: Social Justice for Educators Shalen Bishop May 02, 2021

Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students The cultural identifier I have chosen to write about is bathrooms for transgender students. I chose this cultural identifier, because I have always been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Having transgender bathrooms in schools, would mean schools providing bathrooms that are gender-inclusive. I grew up in Utah County, where most of my peers were Mormon and grew up with very different worldviews, in a time when being out as someone of the LGBTQ+ community was still very taboo. My father came out as gay man when I was a year old, so I never experienced a shock to his lifestyle, having a gay father was my norm. I never knew the adversities my father dealt with on a daily basis. When I started elementary school however, I quickly learned how frowned upon my dad’s lifestyle was, especially in Utah County. This has given me a connection to this particular cultural identifier, because I feel strongly that the LGBTQ+ youth are in need of both advocates and allies in schools. The role of social justice in regard to transgender bathrooms for students is ensuring that students who identify as transgender feel safe to express their identity, that the school shows respect of their diversity through inclusion, and that any issues of biases are broached directly. Transgender bathrooms in schools are still a controversial hot topic, where historical events continue sway back and forth, in support of and opposing the topic. One of the biggest protections for transgender students in schools is Title IX. Title IX prohibits discrimination of students on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity, though the issue with Title IX is that it does not specifically mention discrimination based on a student’s sexual orientation or identity (OCR, 2021). However, if a compliant were to arise in schools in regard to a student being excluded on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, OCR recognizes that this would generally involve discrimination against the person on the basis of sex (OCR, 2021). This

Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students requires schools to uphold inclusive standards when it comes to transgender student’s needs, including the use of restrooms. Transgender bathrooms in the context of K-12 education, would mean schools allowing transgender students to use the bathroom that best matches the person’s identity, or providing unisex bathrooms (Duchesneau, 2017). The biggest supporters of transgender bathrooms would be the LGBTQ+ community, and those who support equality for the LGBTQ+ community. On the other side, there are many opposed to transgender bathrooms in schools, such as various religious groups that oppose non-traditional gender preference. There are many different opinions in regard to transgender bathrooms in schools on both sides of the topic. Those in support of transgender bathrooms feel that bathroom choice is a matter of equality and human rights, choosing a bathroom should be a personal decision, and argue that transgender people are not perpetrators, and by forcing transgender people into particular bathrooms then those transgender people are at more of a risk for harassment (Crissman, et al., 2020). It has been found that youth are more likely to identify as transgender than adults, making those in support of transgender bathrooms feel that the wellbeing of transgender youth needs to be advocated for in schools (Crissman, et al., 2020). One of the biggest opinions of those who oppose transgender bathrooms, is not with transgender people, but male predators using transgender as an excuse to enter women’s bathrooms (Crissman, et. Al., 2020). In addition, opposers would argue that students are too young to identify as transgender. Another strong opinion of opposers comes from a religious stand point, that whether someone is a man or woman is determined by their sex at birth. This controversial issue could affect my future teaching practices because no federal laws have been put in place to determine how schools should approach the issue. This means I will

Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students need to understand what polices my school has in place, and educate myself on how to be an ally for transgender students. As it becomes more socially acceptable to identify as transgender, more youth will be comfortable with identifying as transgender as well. This will affect my future students as they learn how to be compassionate and accept their transgender peers, as well as future transgender students who will need to be shown acceptance and love from me. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) have developed documents on how schools should support transgender students. ED has suggested those looking to understand student’s rights and obligations refer to Title IX, and have also compiled examples of polices and emerging practices that some schools have started implementing in support of transgender students (U.S.D.E., 2016). These documents include information on transitions for students, privacy, sex-segregated activities and facilities, how to support students, and terminology. It is important for school faculty to educate themselves on these topics, to be prepared beforehand on how to best support transgender students.

Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students Part Two This reference discusses a sample of youth opinions on transgender bathrooms in schools, and is intended to give the reader an understanding of how youth opinions evolve, as transgender people become more visible. It shows that despite current policies in many schools, many do not support restrictions on bathroom use by transgender people. https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login? url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=146866310&site=edslive&scope=site&custid=s8333196&groupid=main&profile=eds1 This reference discusses Title IX, and gives the reader an understanding of what laws are in place to protect transgender students in schools. Some of this article is left to interpretation, and as such give’s schools leeway as to how they address the topic of transgender bathrooms. Title IX discusses recognition of sexual harassment as sex discrimination. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/lgbt.html. This reference discusses common misunderstandings in regards to gender identity, how transgender people are identified, risks of perpetrators in transgender bathrooms, and which level of government is best equipped to handle the issue of transgender bathrooms. By discussing common misconceptions, this article better educates the reader on what transgender bathroom acceptance would look like as a whole. https://education.msu.edu/green-and-write/2017/transgender-rights-vs-restroom-safety-ineducation/.

Cultural Identifiers: Bathrooms for Transgender Students References Crissman, H. P., Czuhajewski, C., Moniz, M. H., Plegue, M., & Chang, T. (2020). Youth Perspectives regarding the Regulating of Bathroom Use by Transgender Individuals. Journal of Homosexuality, 67(14), 2034–2049.

Duchesneau, N. (2017, March 10). Transgender Rights vs “Restroom Safety” in Education. Michigan State University College of Education. https://education.msu.edu/green-andwrite/2017/transgender-rights-vs-restroom-safety-in-education/.

Office for Civil Rights. (2021, February 24). Resources for Transgender and GenderNonconforming Students. Home. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/lgbt.html.

U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Examples of Policies and Emerging Practices for supporting transgender students. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/oshs/emergingpractices.pdf...