Discrimination Does Exist, by Pacheque Barber

            Discrimination, racism, sexism, prejudice, and hetero-sexism are all of the things that we as humans are aware of, but only a few admit that these things are a problem in our society.   . It’s like the “Big pink elephant” in the room; people know these issues are there, but no one wants to talk about it. I was on the Fox 43 news website and the title of an article caught my eye: “School: Transgender student’s birth name will be read at graduation.”  

Isaak Wolfe, originally born as female Sierra Liberty Stambaugh, wanted to run for prom king. The Red Lion Area School District denied Isaak the chance to run for prom king and decided to enter him for prom queen under his birth name.  He received help from the ACLU, and was allowed to go to prom with his date, but will not be in the running for prom king. Isaak states that he is disappointed in the school district because he believes that the district does not protect their transgendered students.

The Red Lion Area School District expressed that while Isaak Wolfe is able to wear a black cap and gown for graduation – colors worn by male students – his school plans on reading his birth name during the graduation ceremony. Upon turning 18 years old, Isaak plans on legally changing his name but it would not be in time for graduation. His family, friends and some of the teachers calls him by his male name and support him.

            It takes courage and strength to be a LGBT student in a high school where this community is not widely accepted. I imagined all of the issues that Isaak could have possibly gone through and it made me think: “if I were a student who identifies myself as LGBT, it would take a lot for me to attend school every day with the judgment and ridicule from students and even faculty.” Just think about it, there are kids everywhere who are a part of the LGBT community and are constantly bullied either because they classify themselves as LGBT or their parents do.  This can lead to events like the students not coming to school regularly, not doing any of their work, cutting classes or a full day, get into trouble, and all other issues that can occur. The school then goes from being a “safe environment” to a place where these students do not want to be.  I believe that the schools should do what it takes to protect each and every single one of their students and help them and motivate them to be successful and follow their dreams.

http://fox43.com/2013/05/06/school-trangender-students-birth-name-will-be-read-at-graduation/#axzz2SXTt6O8v