LGBTQ+ Discrimination
Photo taken by Piper Jones
SARAH HIOTT | FEATURES | AUGUST 26TH, 2020
The LGBTQ community has been experiencing new forms of discrimination through changes in education and civil rights laws, causing limitations on transgender homeless people and their access to shelters as well as transgender students’ rights in school. However, there have also been new advances in society through changes in civil rights laws, leading to new rights for LGBTQ workers. These various developments have led to many students, both LGBTQ and not, speaking up for civil rights for the community.
The 1964 Civil Rights Act was extended on June 15 this year in a Supreme Court decision to include gay, lesbian, and transgender employees, prohibiting previous workplace discrimination and keeping any offices from terminating an employee because they are LGBTQ.
"[The changes for the LGBTQ+ community] will be an impactful precedent for future legal acts and legislation," said junior Joaquin Rafaele Marcelino, a nonbinary student at Stanton College Preparatory School.
Some other changes, however, have had negative results and have been seen as acts of discrimination. For one, the Department of Housing and Urban Development created a new rule in June of this year that allows single sex homeless shelters to turn away transgender people based on their biological sex, which lawmakers said was passed in order to protect women in homeless shelters who share bathrooms and shower rooms with transgender women. This could even include cisgender people who shelters believe are transgender based on looks alone. There is also belief that because transgender men and women would have to go to the shelter of their biological sex, they could be a target for abuse and attack by others in the shelters.
Another change this year was to Title IX of the Education Amendments Acts of 1972. This revision prevents transgender students from using the bathroom or being on the sports team coinciding with their gender identity. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos believes the change in Title IX lower sexual harassment occurences and bring justice to more victims. Many students disagree with this change for transgender students and have spoken up about the restriction.
“These laws being taken away are making an entire group of people feel lost,” said sophomore McKenna Geoghagan. She also believes transgender people being on the sports team of their biological sex can lead to other players targeting them, which she has seen happen before. Transgender students can also be subjected to bullying and physical violence when using the bathroom of their biological sex, which has sparked concern among many.
“The danger in changing the law is that it sends a message that we, as a society, do not need to acknowledge or respect a transgender person’s identity and takes away their power of autonomy and anonymity,” said Ms. Kylah Riendeau, an English and Great Books teacher at Stanton.
LGBTQ students have also responded to the change in transgender students’ rights. Joaquin Marcelino fears that this prohibition will lead to verbal, physical, and emotional attacks towards transgender people, especially in school bathrooms and locker rooms. Transphobic hate crimes have been rising generally over the years, according to an FBI study that has been conducted annually since 2013, and pose a higher threat with the Education Amendment Acts being changed.
“[Laws like these invoke] a passion to keep fighting, to show others that we are people too,” said Marcelino.
There are also extracurriculars for LGBTQ students, like the Gender-Sexualities Alliance, a club at Stanton that gives students a place feel seen amongst others who are LGBTQ. Marcelino also stated the purpose of the GSA is to assist LGBTQ students who are having a difficult time. The GSA also tries to educate on different LGBTQ related issues through presentations and activities in the club.
“[The GSA] provides an open space that’s inclusive and welcoming for all so anyone can feel safe to express themselves,” said GSA interim vice president Reon Bunker. “[Students] can also learn about important historical events and people who were monumental in creating the current social environment.”
Outside of clubs, many students also take it upon themselves to educate others through social media by reposting, writing information out, and directly telling others. These platforms include Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, which allow people to share, post, and repost others’ statements.
McKenna Geohaghan often reposts LGBTQ messages on her instagram to spread awareness.
“When I post something, I don’t post it as a trend,” said Geoghagan.. “I post it so people are educated.”
Photo taken by Piper Jones
LGBTQ students also like to spread awareness, like Marcelino, who says, “I just want to help as an LGBTQ person and shed more light on the rights of LGBTQ people.” Marcelino believes self-education is important, adding, “I take it upon myself to be more knowledgeable in order to spread knowledge to other people.”
Sophomore Eleni Kerr also frequently reposts LGBTQ activists on Instagram to inform others of the current issues the LGBTQ community is facing.
“I think it’s important to educate people because they might be unaware,” said Kerr. “If they are aware, they might be able to help.”
The LGBTQ community has long struggled to receive more equality and respect in society. The recent HUD and Education Amendments Acts changes have gone against this goal, but the extension of the Civil Rights Act has aided the LGBTQ community. Activism like social media awareness assists the community and helps those who work towards acceptance from others.