Transgender, Right?

In a time of movement towards equality for all people, the transgender movement has reached new heights.  Tatum Schiebler, a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance and junior at Libertyville High School, remarked that “[the movement] is becoming more known.  People aren’t afraid to talk about it anymore.”

The movement is becoming more accepted by state governments across the United States.  According to the American Civil Rights Union, “California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia all have…laws [that prohibit discrimination against transgender people].”

Of all the problems facing transgender individuals, going into bathrooms, getting health care, and informing the public on the idea of being transgender itself are the big ones.

According to the American Journal of Public Health, “Often, transgender people have 2 different sets of healthcare providers: one involved with gender transition and one involved with regular health care visits. In addition to the problems experienced by transgender men and women within healthcare settings, traditional health care plans (public and private) do not cover the costs related to changing one’s gender, leaving people to find other ways to fund their  transition from one gender to another.”

According to Ms. Dyan Naslund, the school sponsor of the Gay-Straight Alliance, “Transgender is still a mystery to people.”  She continued, saying, “For the majority of us, we cannot identify with what it’s like to be uncomfortable with our gender.”

Schiebler affirmed, saying, “It’s not that people are closed minded, it’s just that they don’t know a lot about transgender people.” Schiebler proceeded to explain his understanding: “Gender Dysphoria: It’s like a numbing feeling; it’s like an itch under your skin, and you feel like you’re trapped in your body.”

Mr. Benedetto DeFrancisco, a transgender graduate of Libertyville High School in 2005, explained that “one of the greatest roadblocks to trans equality / rights is the lack of education and compassion amongst the general public, medical and educational institutions, policy/ lawmakers, and religious affiliations. We live in a very violent, heteronormative, cisgender, strict gender binary society, and I think it’s difficult for many people to see past and accept what is not considered ‘normal.’”

As time moves forward, the transgender movement grows.

Naslund noted, “I think just the fact that we are talking about it is a good step.”

DeFrancisco stated, “Roughly 10 years ago, the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) did not yet recognize the rights (or lack thereof) of transgender people. It seems like every so often, I read about victories for trans people in health care / insurance,  policy/law, and education, with fewer setbacks to the cause. These services / rights are becoming more accessible for trans folk. With that said, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.”

As students of Libertyville High School, members of the LGTBQ community can find a haven in the Gay-Straight Alliance.

Naslund affirmed, saying “We started [GSA] as a safe place where students can come and talk about the issues they are facing.  It’s a great support group.”