Queer Experiences In Schools - Project

Introduction

The queer community has historically faced discrimination for centuries. Whether it has been through violence, social stigma, or policies created by the government, the discrimination undoubtedly has affected the community. However as time passed, and right consciousness had increased, more civil rights movements had begun to take a rise, including the queer communty's movement. That is not to say that the queer community had fought previously, as shown by William Dorsey Swann. But the rise of this movement has helped the LGBTQ+ community gain more rights, it is far from perfect but it is still a positive change. However, once again people are at a standstill. Queer people are once again being used as a "fear" factor for political reasons. This has unfortunately caused the de-evolution of rights. One important place is in schools. Even prior to this more prominent discrimination, the oppression in schools has always been there. From fellow students to teachers. There has always been harassment or isolation that occurs.

Nationally

Within America, schools are dependent on state. And for some states, queer rights are struggling while others not. However it might not be proven to be state alone.As websites such as The Trevor Project have seen how high rates of mentally issue along with discrimination are within the community. People under the age of 18 have been shown to be at the highest rate of taking their own lives. While many of them have reported "casual" homophobic remarks coming from classmates. Or harassment regarding their own identity and how they express themselves. These are the reported cases of this. And the amounts of reports must've lower as queer people have begin to once again feel proned to the oppression that is occurring. Along with social media and the growing lack of empathy, younger people also tend to get bullied online as well. Usually under the guise of it being a "joke". Not to mention, parents. Parents play a long role in children's upbringings. As they decide on whether they choose to take care of their own child and how well they do so. Unsupportive parents could also be a factor on why queer students have higher rates. As well as the parents of peers may also affect how queer students are treated. Discrimination is learned. And so, some students might begin to discriminate others based on what they had heard from their parents.

Personal

Personally, I believe that I do have a voice in this matter as I am a queer student. There will always be a feeling of isolation. Sometimes, I feel that I cannot connect with my classmates to a closer level. That I do not fit in their expectations. As a transman, I would say that I do not feel fully accepted. I feel like people would prefer for me to be a girl. For their lives to be "easier". It is never outright. But you can feel the judgement. You know what they are thinking. You just know that they do not see you as a man. If you do not fit perfectly in their mold of the "perfect transman", then you will never be a man to them. School as a queer teenager is hard. You are already going through teenager emotions. But you are also struggling through existing oppressions towards your identity.