Personal Narrative-LGBT + Students In Middle School

351 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Sexual education in public schools

When I was in sixth grade, the best way I could imagine coming out was by using a chemistry pun. (I still stand by that choice, to defuse tension and take a step behind the comfortable shield of my academics- but unfortunately, we hadn’t had our chemistry class by that point, so the girl I was talking to had no idea why 83 electrons were at all significant.) but I was lucky- once I used the B-word, I got the same thing said back to me. Thus began my fledgling niche as the leader of my little group of LGBT+ kids at my middle school. While life carried on and our friend group had shifted and reconstructed, I haven't forgotten what I felt being in such a precious and valuable place to people like me. I adored being able to positively influence

Show More
Related

  • Homosexuals: Coming Out of the Closet in Angels in America

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Coming out of the closet" is an essential for homosexuals to develop their personal identity. Coming out of the closet is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's to tell others about their homosexuality or bisexuality where previously this had been kept secret. Framed and debated as a privacy issue, coming out of the closet is described and experienced variously as a psychological process or journey; decision-making or risk-taking (Wikipedia).

    Read More

  • Stonewall Riots: Birth of the Modern Gay Rights Movement

    1772 Words  | 4 Pages

    However, depending on their environment or the quality of one’s relationship to another person; the individual’s sexuality can be discussed with those closest to them. When their sexual orientation is revealed or “outed”, the individual has both opportunities such as accepted by families and peer groups and problems such as dealing with homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in their homes, schools and the communities in the presence of others and their opinions; making them feel let down, abandoned and dejected. According to Kathryn Dindia’s article “Going Into and Coming Out of the Closet: The Dialectics of Stigma and Disclosure” those who identify as bisexual, lesbian, gay or transgender are subject to stigma of AIDS or mental illness because “...the stigma is difficult or impossible to conceal, whether to reveal or conceal is an issue for the discreditable…”(85). Stating the individuals who came out as the “discreditable”, as have noted when the individual decided to reveal their sexual orientation they have ordeals such stereotypes, hatred, microaggressions and stigma. The chapter speaks into social sense unlike the next reading “Out of the Closets and Into the Courts”, Ellen Andersen narrates coming out in a more legal manner. During the Counterculture Movement and the 1970’s, Andersen pointed out and stressed “...gay men and lesbians needed legal representation…”(17) as well as protection by law enforcement, although earlier said the Stone wall Riots was provoked by acts of police brutality and the court system. Especially in American society, the book additionally states that the Gay Rights

    Read More

  • Chicago Pride Monologue

    262 Words  | 1 Pages

    I’m going to Chicago’s pride parade for the fifth time tomorrow and it seems like a great time to officially come out. It’s definitely past due. So, since I’m tired of hiding who I am, here’s your official notice that I am definitely not straight! I’ve known this for a few years now and I’m in a long-term relationship with a woman who I love, but I’ve been very private about my queerness and relationship, largely due to some serious self-shame and a worry that if I came out publicly I would disappoint certain people. I’ve been hiding who I am for way too long though and it has caused a huge amount of stress and anxiety for me. It’s taken a long time for me to get here, but I’m hoping this will lift a humongous weight off my chest.

    Read More

  • Biphobia In The LGBT Community

    1347 Words  | 3 Pages

    Coming out, regardless of what one is coming out as, is incredibly difficult. An important aspect of accepting ones’ sexuality is the support that one gets from others of the same sexuality. “This support comes not only from loved ones … but also from associating with like-minded others in the gay, lesbians, and bisexual communities” (McLean 63). However, even in a group that’s been discriminated against by heterosexuals, there is an outstanding amount biphobia in the LGBT community. Bisexuals, while technically are included in the LGBT community, often have difficulty fitting in with the rest of the community.

    Read More

  • My Experience As A Resident Assistant

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    All throughout, I had to be willing to be vulnerable as well. I had to remember that building relationships, and supporting the system, meant that I had to continuously be willing to keep myself open and transparent as well. As a peer advisor, I once had to engage with a student about my experience with the LGBTQ community at Duke, and how that community supported me throughout my transition. This student opened up about their experience at home, and at Duke, and I had to be willing to share my experience with them – in hopes that they could see a place for themselves at Duke. After this conversation, I began to see this student open up about their personal life, and become more comfortable with them across campus. My vulnerability started a conversation that did not

    Read More

  • Coming Out as a Lesbian

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lately it seems like everyone is "coming out" as lgbtq because it seems like the coolest thing to do. Kids at school don't understand that just a few years ago, coming out was horrible. In the past few years, so much has changed for the LGBTQ Community. Marriage is being legalized all over the place, and people are learning to speak out about their rights. Six years ago, my parents found out I was bisexual after they went through my computer. My mom screamed, cried, threw things, and questioned me relentlessly. She couldn't possibly understand what it was that I was going through. At school, I was bullied and pushed around because I was that "weird little lesbian". In a small school of just a little under 200, once one person knew something about you, everyone knew your secret. The world dropped out from underneath my feet.

    Read More

  • Exploring The Closet and Coming Out

    2169 Words  | 5 Pages

    The act of "coming out" is a complex political tool. Its use is open to ambiguous possibilities, ranging from subverting social order to reinforcing those power structures. Of course, it is undoubtedly an empowering act for many non-heterosexual persons to identify themselves as such. Even if the categories of "heterosexual" and "homosexual" are entirely socially constructed (as Michel Foucault argues), that does not mean that they are not real categories of thought that shape the way we live our lives. Indeed, my computer is entirely constructed, but is still undeniably real. Since many non-heterosexual people do live their lives identifying differently from heterosexual people, they may find "homosexual" (or a similar label) an accurate description of their identities and daily lives, however socially contingent that description is. That said, I do not wish to make a judgement call on whether or not someone should or should not come out. Rather, I wish to examine the complicated space represented by "the closet" and the multifarious effects that "coming out" has on the larger social structure.

    Read More

  • Sexual Orientation And Sexual Identity

    1005 Words  | 3 Pages

    I am glad that this question forced me to do so because I feel like these considerations have made me more sensitive to the challenges and opposition that could be faced by individuals that do not develop feelings for the opposite sex like I did. I will probably never know the extent of the challenges faced by these individuals or even begin to fully understand how challenging these paths truly are. I know realize that it would take an extremely brave and courageous individual to express any deviations from the majority during the years in grade school. I feel like writing this response has increased my sensitivity for these individuals and hope to use this to better help others confront their struggles with expressing, accepting, and experiencing sexual orientations that are not

    Read More

  • Essay On Why Lgbtq Students Are Flourishing

    906 Words  | 2 Pages

    On college campuses across the country, LGBTQ students of color are flourishing, finding new opportunities to express themselves.

    Read More

  • The Challenges of Lesbian and Gay Youth

    2611 Words  | 6 Pages

    “The unprecedented growth of the gay community in recent history has transformed our culture and consciousness, creating radically new possibilities for people to ‘come out’ and live more openly as homosexuals”(Herdt 2). Before the 1969 Stonewall riot in New York, homosexuality was a taboo subject. Research concerning homosexuality emphasized the etiology, treatment, and psychological adjustment of homosexuals. Times have changed since 1969. Homosexuals have gained great attention in arts, entertainment, media, and politics. Yesterday’s research on homosexuality has expanded to include trying to understand the different experiences and situations of homosexuals (Ben-Ari 89-90).

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: Celebrate Middle School

    1310 Words  | 3 Pages

    My names Chase Tate i'm 14 years old, 6 feet 3 inches and go to grey hawk middle school. I get in trouble a lot at school Teachers want to send me to an alternative school were the worst of them all go to There was kids all ages there up to 18.I Don't think I should go to this school but my parents agree with them so I have to go.My mom and dad drive me it's was a long drive it took 6 hours. We finally made it and I don't want to get out of the car. The place was terrifying it had gated fences like a prison.

    Read More

  • Signature Assignment: Do I Contradict Myself

    1899 Words  | 4 Pages

    I’ve told nearly all of my classmates and teachers (in presentations and papers, in one-on-one conversations, or to speak up against inaccurate information or discriminatory jokes), I’m part of the She/Her/Hers organization on campus, and, heck, I even have a pin on my backpack. These days, I feel as though I’m screaming it from the rooftops: I’m gay! The world we live in today is heterosexist and sexist. Life is hard for LGBTQ+ folks, but it’s especially hard for women who desire relationships with other women (or non-binary people). Lesbianism is a double-whammy.

    Read More

  • Analysis: Transgender Students Should Be Treated Equal In Schools

    1337 Words  | 3 Pages

    In communities and in schools, there have always been safe spaces for people who are “different”. Places where you could go to be around people going through the same things as you and ones who are there to support who you really are. Adam McCormick shares his findings in “Gay-Straight Alliances: Understanding Their Impact on the Academic and Social Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning High School Students.” This article intrigued me with all of its facts, there have been more studies and research done than I realized. McCormick recounts one of the studies he wrote about, “…findings from this same study suggested that LGBTQ youths who could identify a school staff member they could confide in were significantly less likely to attempt suicide” (72). In the same way that GSAs make people feel safe, having an adult who is personally there for you can make such a huge difference. Having spaces and creating small communities like this can change, and save, people’s lives. Especially when talking about kids and teens going through tricky times, having a safe space can be the matter of life and death. For me, in high school, being able to go to my counsellor to talk during the day is what kept me going. I never had the motivation to go to school until I started talking to someone about what I had been going through. Identity wasn’t a problem I faced but I had major anxiety problems. Going

    Read More

  • Transgender Identity Papers

    554 Words  | 2 Pages

    I started asking people who are transgender how they figured it out and I really related to how they say they felt before they came out. Eventually, I decided that I really am transgender. Now comes the hard part. Coming out to my family. I waited until I had a gut feeling that it was time to do it. I remember it vividly. I decided to text my family in a group text message. I walked to the nearest park and sat down at a bench so no one could read over my shoulder. I started writing up the message, I remember that it was very long and it included definitions of transgender, paragraphs of my feelings, it really was everything I had been holding in for so long into a couple of paragraphs. I was so nervous that I was shaking with the amount of adrenaline pumping through my body. I was shaking so much that I accidently hit the ‘send’ button before I was ready. I started crying because I couldn’t hold it in any longer. After they all had read the text, I started walking home I ran to the bathroom and locked the door and washed myself up. After I left the bathroom I ran into my room and laid on my bed. I couldn’t help but cry, yet feel relieved. Then I fell asleep. About an hour later I was woken up by my

    Read More

  • LGBT Reflection Paper

    1407 Words  | 3 Pages

    I feel like I need to more bold because here I felt required to say something for my commitment to the class, but I know I’m very guilty of people saying it and I would just hold my tongue, I think I try and justify myself and tell myself, it’s not like they’ve ever gone up to someone who is actually gay and made fun of them for it., but a who knows what company someone is in. In High School I had a friend who when people would “joke around” and ask him if he was gay he would vehemently deny it. A little while later passed and he indeed was gay. It was sad though to know that he was embarrassed and that he had to hide in until senior year when later I found out from another friend that she had known since about sophomore year. So this reminds me that’s it’s never okay to just say something is “gay” because one if people continue to speak like this and use this word it will never go away, it will continue to oppress people who are actually gay and being gay will be synonymous with being annoying. Secondly, no one can know who around them is struggling with something like their sexual orientation, so why say it and potentially cause a close friend or a stranger unwanted stress, fear, or anxiety about their orientation. And thirdly it is just plain rude. In society today people assign people as gay based on the way they

    Read More

More about Personal Narrative-LGBT + Students In Middle School

Open Document