inclusivity, safer space, classroom environment, labels, welcoming, fear, advocacy, action, parent support, student confidence
Tara: What would you like to see happen in your own school around issues of gender and sexuality?
Ruby: Um, I think one thing just is making it more open. I don’t want to have to see my friends be kind of like scared of who they are anymore, which kind of sucks. It sucks a lot to have to be worried about who you are as a person when you can’t change that. Um, and to be scared to say that is the worst, and to see that kind of go away, um, and to see that be what your label is or what decide you are isn’t as important. Just, these are my students, they’re my students, and they’re all pretty cool and they’re pretty smart, and that’s it. Yah.
Tara: Right. So what would have to happen so that that school would be like that? Part of it is what the teacher needs to do, which is what you just said. What else could happen, do you think?
Ruby: I think it’s what the teacher needs to do, and it’s also about students kind of using their voices. I think a lot of students kind of immediately assume that the teachers aren’t going to listen. But if you kind of speak confidently and you say, this is how I feel, and you should listen to this, then they do, you know? If you never say anything, then you’ll never know if they’re going to listen. So I think it’s important for students to do that, and for the parents to also not have that “I can’t change anything about that” mindset, and have that “I’ll take action and I’ll help push it forward”.