Studens and staff speak about increased awareness of the Trans experience and Trans Violence By Eden Buell
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unior Jazz Tolentino, A Non-binary Student here at AHS, voices their perspective on why there is increased awareness of Trans people and violence against them. “As time goes on more people are coming out as Trans because they don’t feel as restricted as they would be in the past. It’s easier to be yourself online because you know there’s many people out there to back you up. You can also be anonymous and not endanger yourself as much as you would in person.” Tolentino said. According to an article published March 22nd, In 2020, There are 238 bills that would limit or violate the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans, Half of the bills are targeting trans people. Those who are passing these discriminatory bills make the excuses that they’re protecting children, parental rights, religious freedom, or other reasons. This year is labeled as the worst year in recent history for LGBTQ+ state legislative attacks. Violence and harassment against trans people stems from ignorance, that is why we need to educate people, so we can prevent violence against trans people from happening. One freshman AHS student who identifies as trans states that trans awareness has increased due to the internet and how there’s backlash when it comes to trans people sharing their experiences on the internet. “I think the awareness of trans people is because of the internet, and how a lot of trans people talk about their experiences on the internet. There’s more violence now because more people are aware and there’s a lot of hate, So it’s like a double-Edged sword.” He said. The student expressed that the increased awareness can be harmful in some ways and that media is better used for sharing the struggles trans people go through. “People being more aware is better obviously, but there’s also something good about not alot of people knowing because people are now able to target trans people. I think the internet is better for sharing trans people’s struggles.” They said. Counselor Alexis Horn explains that her and the other Counselors are taking measures to make trans students feel comfortable. “We [ Counselors ] are making sure that we pass on preferred names and pronouns to teachers ahead of time so that when those students get to class it’s already a thing, and so that it doesn’t become something that the
illustration by Eden Buell student has to worry about.” Horn said. Even the long term staff here don’t know a Horn clarified that in Aeries you cannot lot about trans people, they don’t know what remove your deadname from Aeries unless deadnames are or binders.” They said. you’ve had a legal name change, but you can Tolentino thinks that there are a number of have an alias. ways that AHS, Students, and Teachers can help “Right now in aeries you can include your trans students feel safe. preferred name, but it’s just an alias and your “Students at AHS should treat their trans name won’t change unless you change it legally. peers with respect and use their pronouns that There has been talk about putting preferred they prefer to go by and don’t alienate them [ names on diplomas but nothing has trans people ]. Teachers should protect been confirmed.” Horn said. their trans students just as they The freshman who would for any other student, spoke earlier suggests if the student is getting Hey, It’s Eden, the author of that AHS can spread harassed, obviously do this story. I just wanted to leave a awareness of something about it. message for those who may need it. I trans people and AHS could try and am a Trans person, and from experience violence against include stuff in I know it’s very difficult to live in a world them by talking spirit weeks, they where there are people who don’t know about about it more could give more you, hate you for existing, or just think your and getting attention to the identity is a joke. I know it’s be hard to keep movclasses to cover Clubs focused ing. But, I want you to keep going for the future topics such as on LGBTQ+.” generation of trans kids, so that they can these. Tolentino said. see that they can live to adulthood and be “I think we [ The freshman themselves. I want you to keep going for AHS ] can show Trans student those that love you for who you are. I more awareness shares what he has love you. Please, Stay safe. <3 and talk about it learned from difficult [ trans people and experiences. They advise violence against them ] that it’s good to hang around more instead of just having a people that support you. single club. We can raise awareness “Even Though there are a lot of people in classes or any other classes that would be that support you, There’s also a lot of people able to cover this topic.” [...] “We can teach that will never really support you or understand more about Queer history in general.” He said. you and they’ll always just dislike you for who “We can encourage more people to introduce you are and how you choose to present. So it’s themselves with their pronouns. We also need good to stick with the people that support you.” more educated staff, specifically substitutes. They said.
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