Queering Our Schools

 RI Laws and Policies: 

While reading the introductory paragraph within the document I felt proud to be a Rhode Islander and also proud to be part of the LGBTQ community. The language used is safe, supportive and asset based. Our state wants to support and protect the rights of all students who identify as LGBTQ. I enjoyed the definitions that were given because there are often times where people mix up definitions of gender identity and gender expression for example.  I also appreciated the part where is discusses pronouns because that is very important for youth in schools who do choose to go by certain pronouns. 

The part where it discusses restrooms, locker rooms and changing facilities broke my heart a bit and reminded me of the recent death of Nex Benedict, a 16 year old non-binary student in Oklahoma. In doing a bit of research there are not many laws or bills to protect LGBTQ youth in Oklahoma schools but rather many anti-LGBTQ bills. https://oklahomawatch.org/2023/02/10/oklahoma-lawmakers-file-40-anti-lgbtq-bills/ 

Things I Learned:

• "Rhode Island was the second state in the country to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression, thereby protecting transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations." This happened in 2001! 

Questions I have:

• I wonder if there are trainings or professional development opportunities for educators in Rhode Island pertaining to these laws and bills. There was a section that mentioned how some students may have a problem changing in front of a student who may be transgender and it is up to the school administrators and counselors to work with both students to ensure everyone feels comfortable. I hope that there are some opportunities for administrators and educators to gain the language and skills on how to address situation like that. 

Woke Read Alouds:

• Ki does an incredible job with their enthusiasm while reading this story. I almost wish there were children that they were reading to so we could see how children respond and even ask questions. 
• While reading others blogs I noticed that in Molly's blog she mentioned that she attended catholic schools in the late 90's and early 2000's as did I. Even though my parents were always supportive of me and told me I could love whoever I wanted I wish I was exposed to literature like the one in the video when I was younger. Sometimes I wish that I came out sooner and wonder if I had access to language and literature like this it would have made a difference. 
• The book that Ki was reading is something I would like to have when I start having children. I actually started collecting books for my future children a few years back. Some of those books include