Blog Post 10

 This week for FNED we looked at information about students who are apart of LGBTQ+ specifically students who are transgender and gender nonconforming. In the reading it says, “42% of gender nonconforming youth report frequently or often being called names and 40% reported being frequently or often excluded”. The reading is very informative on the topic of how those students are treated. They also talk about the laws put in place to help those students. Like “The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin”. It is very important to make all students feel comfortable in the classroom. School is the right that everyone has as a place to learn. It is hard to focus on learning in a place you do not feel comfortable in. The reading also gives definitions of different words and terms that apply to what the writing is talking about. For example, “Gender Expression: the manner in which a person represents or expresses gender to others, often through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, activities, voice, or mannerisms (GLSEN, 2015)”. I think this type of information is good for all people to learn about. Things like sexual orientation and gender expression are parts of a person that other people can’t change, yet some people still try. It's important as future teachers we know that we do not have to understand every little thing that our students do or the ways they express themselves, we just have to accept it. I know how important it is for people to need to feel like they can be themselves and not get judged for it. I have had many friends who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and have in one way or another delt with hate. I do think where we like, here in Rhode Island, is a very inclusive area. Yet, no matter where you are there will be some person who is a bully and disagrees with equality. I also think this is an important time to be talking about these topics because of what's going on in the world right now with the threat of people's rights to be taken away. It is important to remember to be compassionate and helpful to people. I want to be a teacher who’s classroom is welcome to all. I hope to be in a school that feels the same way. I hope to live in a country that feels the same way too. I hope that in our future we can make everyone feel seen and accepted.