#8 It takes a Community

Rhode Island Laws and Policies set forth by RI Dept of Education, aim to ensure safe and supportive learning environments for all RI youth. In December 2010, The Rhode Island Board of Regents revised its Policy Statement on Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression which includes the following language: 

The Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education recognizes that all educational agencies must provide all people and groups with full access to educational opportunities and barriers to student participation based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression must be identified and removed. The Board also recognizes that all students, without exception, have the right to attend a school in which they feel safe and able to express their identity without fear.

 Even with the laws put forth and recent advances in LGBTQ rights, schools are not particularly safe for queer students. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s survey, Growing UP LGBT in America found that 42% of gender nonconforming youth report frequently or often being called names and 40% reported being frequently or often excluded. Further, over half of gender-nonconforming youth reported that they did not participate in activities offered by the school out of fear of discrimination. According to the article "Queering Our School," one study found that six out of ten LGBTQ teens reported feeling unsafe at school. Over three-quarters of students reported being verbally harassed.

It is absolutely crucial that schools provide a safe learning environment for all students. As children spend a significant amount of time in the classroom, it is the responsibility of teachers and staff to ensure that bullying and discrimination are not tolerated. If hate crimes are taken seriously and appropriate action is taken, students will be less likely to engage in such behavior. It is important for everyone involved to understand the impact this type of behavior can have on a student's well-being and success in school.

Scholars have been working for years to include people of color in classroom lessons. Now, it's time to do the same for the LGBTQ community. Integrating queer people's lives into lesson plans by discussing their problems, history, struggles, and contributions could be a good start to achieve social justice. This week's reading taught me about The day of silence, a day that has been around for almost 30 years. It seeks to bring attention to what LGBTQ students experience daily, not only in the classroom but also at work and other events. This year, the day falls on April 12th. 

Adam Kelley's article titled "Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality" is an essential read for every educator. The article emphasizes the importance of including LGBTQ members in the curriculum and highlights how assuming that every child has a mom and a dad could be excluding some children who may have two moms or two dads. A simple sentence such as "My mom is swimming" may not be applicable to all children, and it is crucial for educators to be mindful of these differences. 

The author of Queering Our Schools argues that speaking openly about LGBTQ and pushing for social justice within the community can create change, but it takes the community as a whole to catch up in the march toward justice.