Through this week's reading, I learned that gender identity is the individual sense of one's gender. Additionally, I learned that societies often employ a set of gender categorizations which form a basis for the recognition of an individual's identity. Johnston (2015) points out that in multiple societies, there is a primary division amid the gender attributes allocated to females and males; this is commonly referred to as gender binary which incorporates the expectations of femininity and masculinity in all aspects of gender and sex upheld by many individuals. The readings also enlightened me on issues regarding sexual orientation. I learned that sexual orientation is the continued pattern of sexual or romantic attraction to individuals of the obverse sex or gender, same gender, or more than one gender which is usually subsumed under bisexuality, homosexuality, and heterosexuality. Other concepts learned from the week's reading include the causes of sexual orientation, the U.S culture associated with sexual orientation, factors influencing gender identification, challenges facing people of the LGBT community, and gender non-conformance and variance. The readings on the challenges faced by the LGBT community were so uncomfortable. Slick (2008) acknowledges that the LGBT community still faces a significant level of discrimination, rejection by the society, violence (hate crimes against members of the LGBT community), unequal healthcare especially by the transgender individuals, and the effects of gay conversion therapies.
With regards to the conceptualizations learnt from the lesson on sexual orientation and gender identification, I believe that individuals who identify as part of the LGBT community should be protected against bullying, all forms of discrimination such as employment discrimination, violence, and gay conversion therapies; these individuals ought to be given an equal opportunity platform to express themselves freely. According to National Education Association (2017), equal opportunities accorded to the LGBT community and the increased level of acceptance and legal protection will help them through their emotional health struggles such as suicide, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression, and help them overcome the stigma associated with their sexual orientation.
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My beliefs tend to differ from the expectations of the public school district in the sense that they emphasize the need for the protection of the LGBT community from any form of discrimination and this contrary to the implemented strategies by the public school district in certain states in the U.S. In numerous school districts and states LGBT teachers and students lack protections against discrimination and prejudice based on gender identity or sexual orientation. In other states, the provisions of LGBT protection that have been enacted are unenforced or inadequate. Certain States in the U.S have passed laws that restrict the school staff and teachers from addressing LGBT issues in learning institutions, for instance, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arizona, South Carolina, and Texas. The implemented restrictions undermine various fundamental human rights, and this includes the LGBT students' entitlement to personal security, education information access, privacy and association, free expression, and the freedom from discrimination. My beliefs also align with the expectations of the public school district in that they both emphasize the aspect of anti-bullying among the LGBT community. Various states and public school district have implemented laws that forbid the student bullying on the bases of gender identity and sexual orientation; these states include Nevada, Minnesota, Maryland, and Colorado.
In a situation where a student identifies as gay or as a different gender, I will employ the concept of inclusion; this will incorporate the creation of a gender neutral-environment, providing support to these students in the form of inviting LGBT speakers to share their experiences and the provision of equal opportunities to all students. I will also attempt to gain the support of the school officials who may subsequently play a significant role in implementing diversity initiatives and mentoring these students. Additionally, to promote the concept of inclusion, I would also develop school engagement and support programs for the LGBT students. Lastly, I will emphasize the gravity of discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation by punishing students who attempt to discriminate these LGBT students.
References
Johnston, J. (2015). Male and female: Why it matters in the culture and public policy . Retrieved from https://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/sexuality/male-and-female-by-design/male-and-female-why-it-matters-in-the-culture-and-public-policy
National Education Association (2017). Sexual orientation and gender identity . Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/tools/18846.htm
Slick, M. (2008). Christianity and homosexuality. Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry . https://carm.org/christianity-and-homosexuality.
