Student Protest at Crossroads for Transgender Rights

The word transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people who’s gender identity doesn’t agree with the gender that was assigned with them at birth. This can include those who identify as genderqueer, non-binary, or don’t identify as any gender on the male and female scope.  According to Williams Institute, around 1.4 million adults identified as transgender in the U.S., and when it comes to those in their youth (ages 13-17), a higher percent within the age group identify as transgender. This percentage continues to increase as the media covers more on the subject of transgender people, their rights, discrimination, and systematic inequality.

The rights for a transgender U.S. citizen varies depending on the state they’re in. In New York, the “Social Orientation Non-Discrimination Act” was passed in 2003, making it unlawful for anyone to be discriminated in education and other public accomandations because of their sexual orientation. This ideally would’ve made it easier a transgender person to express their gender, and this does seem to have happened. As mentioned before, a higher percentage of the new generation identified as transgender. 

But discrimination towards transgender people still appears to be an issue both in public and private life. For example, over 54% of transgender people have experienced violence with their partner, and between 2014-2015, one in ten reported to be sexually assaulted. Despite schools being required (or at least encouraged) to provide a safe learning environment for the transgender community, the majority of transgender students still reported that they felt unsafe due to their gender expression. In particular, in 2015, 60% of transgender students were forced to use a bathroom or locker room that did not match the gender they live with every day. 

At Niskayuna, the topic of gender neutral bathrooms within the high school has been a long running issue. Recently, it came into the spotlight with actions like posters being hung up in the bathrooms and hallways, which expressed the outrage of the students, the Crossroads protest, where students came during their school periods to peacefully protest, and emails about the bathroom issue. An anonymous source explains the reasons behind why these events occurred, doing their best to be as honest as possible. 

HH: What events do you think led to the Crossroads protest? 

AN: I think what led to the crossroads event was the fact that the school didn't want to listen to us. The fight for the gender neutral bathrooms has been going on since before I even entered high school. The school told us they were supposed to be unlocked. Upon giving them proof that that was not the case they still ignored us. We started making things public and then they started listening. When the bathrooms were finally unlocked, there were still several transphobic things in school students wanted addressed so the crossroads event brought awareness to that.

HH: Can you tell me more about these transphobic actions? 

AN: Things such as teachers using the wrong pronouns even after being corrected, hall monitors/ teachers not saying anything when students say transphobic things, the administration taking forever to change a students name in the system

HH: What actions do you think should take place to solve these issues?

AN: I think the teachers and administrators need more training on how to respond to trans students. They should be taught by actual trans people instead of whatever diversity training they get now if any. There should also be serious action taken against transphobic students and teachers. 

HH: Can you describe for me why it’s important that our communities should recognize the situation at hand with transgender students?

AN: It is important for our community to recognize the situation because trans students are not being treated right in our school, despite the school talking about how inclusive they are. Not being able to use the right bathroom, being called the wrong name and pronouns, and having no one to stand up for you when transphobic things are said has a serious impact on trans students safety and mental health. Cis students are not aware of what's going on because they don't notice it. The more awareness that can be brought to what's really going on might bring actual change.