Be An Ally

March 2021 Be An Ally — Ariana González, General Reporter

In a survey I sent out to all of the students at Mandan High “You can not necessarily choose your family, but you can choose School, 54.1% of 183 participants said they have experienced your friends, so find people with like minds.” Gieser said. “One homophobia and/or transphobia within our school. of my favorite sayings that goes for a lot of things, including this While there has been a massive improvement in the treatment of particular concept, is by a guy named Timothy Leary.” LGBTQ+ people over the years, Timothy Leary used to be a we still have a long way to go professor in the 60’s and 70’s at as a society. In North Dakota Berkeley University. The quote alone, an anti-Transgender bill is “What is without is within.” that bans students from playing “It has always resonated with school sports based on the me, ever since I heard it,” student’s gender identity was Gieser said. “Things that you passed by the House with a vote are void of in your life, you can of 65-26 this year on February always find if you are happy 11th. An article in the Bismarck within, regardless of outside Tribune said that in 2018, North influences. You should not let Dakota’s GOP used the words that skew the direction that you “voyeurs who wish to prey on are going,” members of the opposite sex,” Gieser used to be the to refer to LGBTQ+ people in an supervisor for an LGBTQ+ old resolution opposing sexual group that would meet in the orientation and gender identity Art room about 4 or 5 years ago. anti-discrimination bills. Photo by Ariana González “They asked me if I would While I expected the responses supervise or be the faculty The rainbow in the Pride flag represents life, healing, to be negative, I did not expect sunlight, nature, harmony and spirit. member for that, but it kind of it to be as bad as it was. Some fizzled out,” Gieser said. “If responses included students making homophobic and transphobic there’s an interest in that particular group or just wanting a safe comments and jokes such as “LGBTQ is a trend and needs to place to be and to be accepted, the Art room is the right place.” end”,” “gays are weird,” and others I will not mention for the sake Another strong ally for the LGBTQ+ community within our of not giving them the attention they want. school is French Teacher Jill Charlebois. Charlebois teaches According to the CDC, suicide is the 10th leading cause of French 1 through 4 and the Intro to High School course at the death in the US for all ages. With that being said, according to middle school. thetrevorproject.org, LGBTQ+ people who experience verbal “A lot of the time, it is not as obvious, and it is more ingrained harassment due to their sexuality or gender identity become 2.5 in our society and our culture,” Charlebois said, regarding times more likely to hurt themselves. homophobic comments. “If it is obvious I call it out, especially Be mindful of what you say to others. A lot of you might think in my classroom.” that what you are doing is a “funny joke” or just harmless fun, Coming out can be a terrifying experience for LGBTQ+ but it is not. You do not know what people are going through, members. For many people, it can go either very well, or terribly and a comment or a “joke” of that nature might be the last push wrong. It is important to know that you are able to trust the person to someone who is already struggling with self-acceptance or any you are confiding in. other issues in their life. “I have had students come out to me,” Charlebois said. “My To anyone who has ever received a homophobic or transphobic response is to thank them for trusting me and feeling comfortable comment, I know it is hard when it seems like it is just you against enough with me to share something that important and personal a cloud of hatred. When the people who are supposed to support with me.” and love you seem to be against you, know that you are not alone Keri Hess is another ally within our school. Hess teaches Guitar and there are people that care about you as you are within the Class, Music History, Music Theory, Concert Choir, Women’s school. One of these people is Art teacher John Gieser. Choir, and two Mixed Choirs. Like many students, Hess has also “This is the one classroom that we are accepting of everybody heard different homophobic and/or transphobic comments. and all people, regardless of what they are or what they believe,” “I will always listen, I can not change things, but I will listen John Gieser said. Gieser teaches Art 1 through 4, and is also the and support them,” Hess said. advisor for Yearbook Club and Art Club. Needless to say, you are not alone. Self-acceptance can be Being in an unsupportive household can be extremely draining; incredibly difficult, and it takes some people years to find their knowing that the people who are supposed to be your support true selves. You should be very proud of yourself for starting to system do not accept you as you are is one of the most painful find your place in the world at such a young age. You are your feelings a person can face, especially as a member of the own unique individual, and your sexuality and/or gender identity LGBTQ+ community. Gieser suggests finding people who will should not be a source of embarrassment or self-hatred, but a understand you. source of pride. Opinion 04