This week, I have been asked to answer the following questions:
How might we begin to address the ways in which the systems that we teach our curriculum in are intrinsically homophobic, transphobic, biphobic and oppressive towards queer and trans people?
To begin addressing the issues, individuals should look at curriculums and understand if there are any outcomes or indicators that are explicitly ignoring queer and trans people. This is a start to seeing which curriculums may hold these oppressive ideas. Another idea is to ensure curriculums include terminology for gender and sexually diverse individuals. There are many subjects, but talking about topics like gender and sexuality models, pronoun usage, and inclusive language can clarify confusion or at least start a dialogue when including language in systems and curriculums (Queersmart, 2018). In that case, individuals need to expose these oppressive systems to the (current) three ideas of gender: gender biology, gender expression, and gender identity (Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, 2015). This will reduce oppressive systems by increasing awareness which is especially important in school systems where students are learning to find themselves. After looking at the curriculum, another place is to look at classrooms and the system’s implicit messages. Suppose systems assume ideas about others’ genders and sexuality, which can take the form of heteronormativity and expressly not talk about same-sex partners in any form (Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, 2015). As well, the spaces may provide opposition to queer and trans people by not having all genders bathrooms or changing rooms. To address this, people can inform the institutions of the issues for correction. There is also the language the system does not take action against like language that discriminates against queer and trans people. Speaking about discriminatory terms and expressing the importance of not using them can grow a culture that allows people in the system to speak up against discriminatory terms.
It is suggested that systems are still being held back on progressive language from fear of cisgender and heteronormative parents’ reactions and 2SLGBTQIA+ families are not making their voices heard (Lau, 2019). To address these systemic problems, allies and 2SLGBTQIA+ members need to advocate for changes in schools, which will allow teachers to make the changes that are necessary without fear of others’ reactions. Advocating for these changes also will help other students become more thoughtful and inclusive. As well, advocating will make 2SLGBTQIA+ students feel safer. In the current state, “Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia remain rampant in Canadian schools,” which is not what students should have to endure in school (Peter, Campbell & Taylor, 2021). Teachers, students, and all institutions need to stop oppressive behaviour that insists on using assumptions about individuals. There needs to be more dialogue between systems and individuals to build a path for more inclusivity, sexual diversity, and growth.
References
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. (2015). Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity. Saskatchewan Government. https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/75989
Peter, T., Campbell, C.P., & Taylor, C. (2021). Still in every class in every school: Final report on the second climate survey on homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in Canadian schools. Key Takeaways. Egale Canada Human Rights Trust.
Lau, Marianne. (2019, June 17). LGBTQ families speak out: Four ways schools can create safer, more welcoming learning environments for our children. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/oise/News/2019/Four_ways_schools_can_create_safer_and_more_welcoming_environments_for_LGBTQ_families_and_students.html
Queersmart. (2018). Queer Terminology from A to Q. QMUNITY. https://qmunity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Queer-Glossary_2019_02.pdf
2 Comments
Alexis Klein · March 17, 2023 at 8:41 pm
I agree that we need to advocate for those who do not feel safe in schools as queer students. How would you suggest students cope with the protests against gender neutral bathrooms? Overall this blog post was really well written and you brought up some really good points!
Laina · March 29, 2023 at 4:38 pm
Hey Ethan! I heavily agree about checking the curriculum for explicit exclusion. There is way more exclusion against the 2SLGBTQIA+ than people would expect! How would you approach parents protests from topics regarding homosexuality and gender expression? I think you made some really great points and had awesome solutions.