[Commentary] [USA] Back-to-School Voices: Ashton Rose

[Stephanie Stevens]

Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), USA


September 21, 2012

Back-to-School Voices: Ashton Rose

Ashton Rose
Student
Milford, Ohio


Last year I entered my first year at Milford High School as a
trans-identified student. I had left my other school because of
bullying so severe I had to be withdrawn from my classes. As a
transgender guy, I use male pronouns. But my Milford teachers did not
respect my identity and referred to me as “she” and “her.” They also
did not call me Ashton and instead used the name that I do not like
but is still attached to my legal documentation. I initially thought
most of the teachers were transphobic and probably just hated me until
I realized that most of the school staff didn’t even know what the
word transgender meant. I came to the conclusion that I needed to give
Milford educators a presentation to help them better understand
transgender and gender non-conforming issues; by educating them I’m
preventing teachers at my school from unknowingly hurting other
students like me in the future.

One incident at school that really struck me was when I was in math
class; it was the second week of school and I did not know all my
teachers that well. My math teacher was young leading me to believe he
would likely be more accepting than most of my other teachers. I was
sitting in class and went to raise my hand to answer a question when
he pointed at me and said, “Yes sir?” I was about to answer but a
student shouted out, “That’s a girl.” He looked somewhat
uncomfortable, maybe even embarrassed and responded, “Whatever it is.”
I was shocked and terribly hurt at his use of the word “it” and the
way he handled the situation.

The situation turned me off from talking to my teachers and
identifying supportive staff. I had no hope in finding a supportive
teacher or even one I could trust. Another thing, that I often dread
even now, is finding a bathroom I can use with the least amount of
hassle. Obviously using the male bathroom would be virtually
impossible and something that could get me expelled. Conversely,
entering the girl’s bathroom isn’t the most convenient either. There
was one time when I walked into the girl’s restroom and immediately
was given weird looks by a group girls standing at the mirror. I
entered a stall quickly and the girls immediately began snickering and
saying things about me being ‘disgusting’ and ‘strange.’

Before I left I washed my hands and as I was walking out I heard one
girl say, “That thing shouldn’t be allowed in here.” Ultimately it
ruined the rest of the week for me. After that incident with the
bathrooms I decided to see my school counselor. I figured it was
inevitable that I come out to her. And I found myself surprised when
she focused on helping me feel safer in school. Afterwards I went to
see her every week. I expressed my fear of coming out to my teachers
and them not treating me as a student, but she was quick to offer me
many alternatives. One day the counselor called me down to her office
and told me she had someone she wanted me to meet. She introduced me
to an openly gay teacher at school with a wonderful partner and
adopted twins! We spoke for a while and I started feeling better.

Once I discovered that I had support in my school I realized that I
needed to take action. After a four day summit as a GLSEN Student
Ambassador, I found other adults and resources that could help me make
my school a better place for trans students. It really empowered me
and I was soon very excited to make my way back to my high school with
new support and confidence. I knew I could work with GLSEN to put a
presentation together and educate my teachers because being in the
dark about these subjects can really hurt other trans students in
their quest to come out. Not only did I have the help of GLSEN, I had
a new outlook on teachers that would support me in the midst of my
push for teacher training. And I realized that educating my teachers
could help me advocate for a trans-inclusive school policy.

Creating a trans-inclusive school policy would make my school safer
and more affirming for students like me. I want to focus on my class
work and the year ahead instead of worrying about what pronouns my
teachers use towards me, whether or not I can go to the bathroom at
school without experiencing harassment or even what clothes I can wear
that I feel most comfortable in. I simply want to do well in school
and figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. And I
believe I can get there with my school’s support.


Resources to help you get back to school

Ashton is participating in GLSEN’s Student Ambassador program, a
student leadership program run by GLSEN’s communications department.
If you are interested in GLSEN’s Student Ambassador program, make sure
you are subscribed to student updates
<http://action.glsen.org/page/s/student> and we’ll let you know when
applications open this spring.

Check out: GLSEN’s Model District Policy for Trans & Gender
Nonconforming Students
<http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/2819.html>

What have YOU done to transform you school? What ideas or tips can you
provide to other LGBT students overcoming challenges? Share your story
with us so that we can share it with world
<http://action.glsen.org/page/s/back-to-school-voices> . Together,
we’ll be inspired to make this school year even better than the last –
for everyone.


Copyright 2003-2011 GLSEN, Inc., the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education
Network. All rights reserved.

http://blog.glsen.org/back-to-school-voices-ashton-rose/