Heteronormative Education
can be defined as "a defective educational system that ignores LGBTQ (Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) historical issues while tolerating
homophobic behavior that corrupts a learning environment for ALL students"… Many
educational institutes (predominantly high school) unknowingly participate in
such program by depriving their students of basic LGBTQ knowledge and history.
As a proud advocate of LGBTQ,I am able to first handedly voice the many
negative effects derived from heteronormativity. The volatile learning
environment I was submerged in, lead to several reflective feelings such as:
self-hatred, depression, insecurity, and worthlessness. As I recently reminisce over my high school years, I realize that the educational system is flawed and should take action to correct itself in order to establish a healthy and tolerant environment for both faculty members and students. Surprisingly enough, several higher-education institutions have become "gender neutral" by establishing co-ed dormitories, providing co-ed washrooms, and eliminating a dress-code policy.
Gender-neutral dormitories were originally created by students who were "transgendered" or "gender non-conforming" (gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.). By allowing students to choose their compatible roommate, universities are one step closer to providing a safe, inclusive, and most importantly SUPPORTIVE environment/ learning experience for all students. Individuals whom may find their selves at a disagreement should realize that gender-neutral dorms are not intended to promote "couple housing". These dorms serve the purpose of giving the opportunity for a student to choose whom they would feel most comfortable living with.
Along with gender-neutral housing, more and more universities are building/ converting restrooms into co-ed washrooms. Many school officials seem to have a problem with this however I think it is no different that a "family changing room". The washrooms serve the same purpose as the dormitories. Several individuals who are "gender non-conforming" or "transgendered" have expressed to a great deal that they don't feel comfortable choosing which bathroom to use. When choosing one over the other, individuals have been harassed and bullied. Having a co-ed washroom on campus would be beneficial by advocating diversity throughout campuses across the country.
K-12 dress-codes are the most discriminatory policies ever known to man kind. Several negative effects of enforcing a strict dress-code include the depravity of self-expression. While dress-codes serve the purpose of prohibiting students from overly sexualized apparel, I believe that such codes fall within the heteronormative matrix. [SHOCKER] ...Thus being said, University institutions are more likely to relax their dress code. Doing so, has caused "gender non-conforming" or "transgendered" students to openly express themselves however they should choose. As a college student, seeing another man on campus wearing make-up/ high-heels is far from abnormal because of the gender-neutral environment on campus.
References:
http://www.housing.umich.edu/gender-neutral
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayteens/a/genderneutral.htm
http://www.martindale.com/education-law/article_Fisher-Phillips-LLP_886558.htm
Gender-neutral dormitories were originally created by students who were "transgendered" or "gender non-conforming" (gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.). By allowing students to choose their compatible roommate, universities are one step closer to providing a safe, inclusive, and most importantly SUPPORTIVE environment/ learning experience for all students. Individuals whom may find their selves at a disagreement should realize that gender-neutral dorms are not intended to promote "couple housing". These dorms serve the purpose of giving the opportunity for a student to choose whom they would feel most comfortable living with.
Along with gender-neutral housing, more and more universities are building/ converting restrooms into co-ed washrooms. Many school officials seem to have a problem with this however I think it is no different that a "family changing room". The washrooms serve the same purpose as the dormitories. Several individuals who are "gender non-conforming" or "transgendered" have expressed to a great deal that they don't feel comfortable choosing which bathroom to use. When choosing one over the other, individuals have been harassed and bullied. Having a co-ed washroom on campus would be beneficial by advocating diversity throughout campuses across the country.
K-12 dress-codes are the most discriminatory policies ever known to man kind. Several negative effects of enforcing a strict dress-code include the depravity of self-expression. While dress-codes serve the purpose of prohibiting students from overly sexualized apparel, I believe that such codes fall within the heteronormative matrix. [SHOCKER] ...Thus being said, University institutions are more likely to relax their dress code. Doing so, has caused "gender non-conforming" or "transgendered" students to openly express themselves however they should choose. As a college student, seeing another man on campus wearing make-up/ high-heels is far from abnormal because of the gender-neutral environment on campus.
References:
http://www.housing.umich.edu/gender-neutral
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayteens/a/genderneutral.htm
http://www.martindale.com/education-law/article_Fisher-Phillips-LLP_886558.htm
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