In response to the proposed Arizona Senate Bill 1432:
The language and ideologies used to reinforce these notions put forth are what make it so hard for individuals to gain knowledge and understanding of those who identify in ways that are not in line with the dominant prescribed ways of being. According to the annual “Kids Count Data Book,” we are 46th in the nation in our K-12 schools. Our focus should not be used to harass and control the lives of other people. Our hard work and money should rather be focused on raising awareness and building an education system that fosters a place of organic learning.
I challenge you to question the hegemony that is at play in our state. Every day, people of the LGBTQ community are fighting for what they know is theirs, and that is equality. We are all human, but we are not all the same. We do not live the same lives. That is what makes our world enchanting and colorful. Our differences should unite us and urge us to share our stories. Without them, our world is dull and homogenized.
The continuation of rendering transgender men and women invisible has got to stop today — for us, for our children and for our future. As a graduate student and a future educator, I hope to hold a classroom that urges students to ask, "Why?" One that challenges student’s accepted ideologies about the world. To always question, and pursue their pleasures, to hold the hand of the person they love no matter what their gender, sex, skin color, religion or cultural background.
“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.” — John Stuart Mill
Rebecca Daltroff
Graduate student
Want to join the conversation? Send an email to opiniondesk.statepress@gmail.com. Keep letters under 300 words and be sure to include your university affiliation. Anonymity will not be granted.
