Diversity In Schools

A national survey in 2011 determined that 78 percent of transgender K-12 students are subject to “significant abuse” annually, and 12 percent report having been assaulted in school bathrooms at least once. This makes public and school restrooms one of the least safe places for trans students to be. For example: when a trans man goes into either the men’s or women’s room, he is considered to be in the wrong place. At Northwood High School, the fewest open about their orientation are trans students. Given that a large number of my peers are LGBTQ, it matters to me greatly that they are safe during school. Because Northwood has previously conformed more towards traditional values, it was important to create an organization that did not cater exclusively to privileged persons, and the …show more content…
The issue at hand is clear: safety. If my friends are in an learning environment, they should not have to wonder if they will be safe using the restroom. Two years ago, the gay-straight alliance: People Rallying in Defense of Equality (PRIDE) was formed. Its mission was to be a safe place for LGBTQ students and allies. Last year, I took part in committees to solve LGBTQ problems and increase representation within the school. The solution that PRIDE advocated for was a gender-neutral bathroom: a bathroom designated for anyone to use. The safest location would be across from the counseling office, so that any misconduct could be immediately reported, and the perpetrator quickly identified. One simple step that anyone could take is to be accepting and supportive of trans students. By using proper pronouns and prefered names, one can improve the quality of life for a trans student. Another step taken was bringing the issue to