6/17 Rethinking Sex and Gender and Reshaping our Brains

 

Unlearning and relearning can be some of the hardest work in life. It is so important for everyone, but especially the professionals in the school systems to do that work. We have all grown up with different norms and beliefs and expectations for the world, and we have to be able to grow and expand and change as our world does. The world has become increasingly more aware and accepting of people who are LGBTQIA+, which is necessary and beautiful. As nurses and educators, we have to do the work of putting aside old cultural norms and some of the things we learned or internalized as children in order to make room for this more inclusive world. I often find myself frustrated when it is hard for my brain to remember another's pronouns, wanting to be sure I don't make a mistake and not to injure someone with my assumptions. I fully embrace that I am not perfect, but always want to always be loving to those around me. 

The RIDE Guidance for Rhode Island Schools on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students was a helpful tool that I have never read completely. I have heard it referenced by others in my school but it was enlightening to learn what was specified in it. In order to be a good ally and advocate, we must hold to the exact laws that have to do with our students and colleagues who may be in this category. These practices will help us to not only protect our students but to ensure that they feel safe being themselves and expressing themselves the way that they need to in order to feel like they are a respected part of society. 

The Trevor Project article was of further assistance since it did a better job using more accessible terminology and language to detail the ways in which we can all be better allies to our youth. I think the way this article was formatted was very telling about the steps in which we need to become allies.

1) We must understand and be educated. As we all know, knowledge is power, and in this case the knowledge of the differences between gender, sex, and gender expression are vital. We must have the humility to express what we do not know and understand and have the perseverance to learn. 

2) Respect is something that every human being deserves. Properly calling people by their preferred pronouns and names we are respecting them and honoring their identities. The point is also made in the article that this respect can and does save lives! 

3) Finally the article addressed the myriad of ways that we as people can mess this up, by mis-naming someone, by not listening, and not being accountable for our words and actions. Committing to doing better after apologizing is always the best road to take in this situation, as it is important to learn from our missteps. We are all human and therefore will all make mistakes, we are not perfect but for the sake of our students and those around us, taking accountability is the best way to move forward. 

This article argues that everyone deserves the right to feel safe, loved, and known and we can be part of facilitating that by being educated and informed, paying attention and asking questions, while also making sure that if/when we mess up that we apologize and commit to better choices. These simple instructions feel very accessible and is something that every person should be committed to while interacting with others in the world. Hopefully, we can all make a lifelong commitment to unlearning and relearning.