Transgenderism in Public Schools

[omly]

There is a very interesting, if a few days old article here about a Methuen, MA school that is allowing a transgender 4th grader to be treated as a boy, although biologically female. What strikes me most about this story is how easily the children seemed to have accepted all of this. The right-wing movements to "protect" our children from such ideas seem so silly when you think about the fact that often it is the parents who can't accept rather than the kids. I think it is wonderful how supportive the school system is being, though I have to wonder will they be allowed to do things like this in a few years? Is this a sign that things are getting better? or is this just the step before the conservative backlash?

Comments

[tweekie.livejournal.com]

Since this is local to us, I saw it in the local papers as well last week. I thought it was definitely a positive thing, and that the schools were handling it appropriately. It sets a positive example. Here is the original article from the Eagle-Tribune, the local newspaper.

[omly.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the original article. I especially found it interesting that they interviewed Dr. Minter, who is both so involved with alternative sexuality groups and is herself transgender.

[tweekie.livejournal.com]

Yes...and Jennifer Levi, who is a spokeperson for GLAD, and has been involved in some pretty high-profile cases, as well as two psychologists, both supporting opinions.

It's not often you see such a positive-biased article on gender issues.

[oakleaf-mirror.livejournal.com]

I think the right-wing folks that would 'protect' children from this would argue that the other children's acceptance of this is the very thing they should be protected from. Clearly they don't know better, having not yet absorbed enough bigotry to be discriminating. It's up to the 'responsible' adults to protect them from their naïve tolerance. I'll stop now, before I become further nauseated.

The Globe article seemed to imply that most of the parents that called with questions were fine with the idea, too, once the bathroom question was settled. I think that's a hopeful sign.