Are you stating it is normal for a person to believe they were born in the wrong body? Since there are far more people who have schizophrenia who hear voices they believe are just as real as the person who believes they are the opposite sex, is the belief system of anyone who has hallucinations "normal?"
Do we have to come up with words for non-transgender people calling them cisgender because developing thicker skins isn't an option?
And why is it wrong to have single person occupancy bathrooms to solve the issue?
I believe people are born the way they are born, be it straight, gay, transgender or cisgender.. These are NOT to be confused with mental illness, which has absolutely nothing to do with sexuality and gender...
Specializes in Women's Health, GYN Onc, School Nurse.
This is how it has been handled at the school district I work in. I am very proud of all the students and how accepting and supportive they are of their classmate.
Are you stating it is normal for a person to believe they were born in the wrong body? Since there are far more people who have schizophrenia who hear voices they believe are just as real as the person who believes they are the opposite sex, is the belief system of anyone who has hallucinations "normal?"
Do we have to come up with words for non-transgender people calling them cisgender because developing thicker skins isn't an option?
And why is it wrong to have single person occupancy bathrooms to solve the issue?
Let's avoid the whole issue where you truly do believe transgender people are mentally ill for now. Even IF they were mentally ill, you never tell someone they're abnormal. I feel like that's nursing 101 (and just human decency). My instructors have said again and again that the best way to make people feel more comfortable is to normalize things. Let them know that they aren't weird or abnormal--others are going through what they're going though. They're not alone.
I mean really, what could possibly be your aversion to using a very simple term to possibly help someone feel like a normal part of society? Why the hell is that even a battle you're choosing? This is ridiculous.
This is not a forum for discussions about transgender issues ABOVE the school bathroom issue. The OT asked for input on what we, as school nurses would do to manage the guidance from the Obama Admin regarding which BR transgender individuals will use.
If you want to debate the biology/sociology/psychology of transgender issues, I am sure there are MANY forums to do so. That is not what this topic is for.
I don't think they have to "act" as anything. They can just waltz in. Who's going to challenge them? Unless you think the stigma of being transgendered will keep them honest. What do I know?
You'd be surprised at how this younger generation is accepting and yeah pretty darn honest too. At my childrens' high school transgender students use whichever bathroom they are most comfortable with including the nurses bathroom. I bet if you asked a great percentage would say they either didn't notice or care, just in there to do their business.
Are you stating it is normal for a person to believe they were born in the wrong body? Since there are far more people who have schizophrenia who hear voices they believe are just as real as the person who believes they are the opposite sex, is the belief system of anyone who has hallucinations "normal?"
Earlier in this thread you asked if it was discrimination against a boy use the boys' facility followed by the question if we'd allow a boy who identifies as a dog pee in the hallway and one who identifies as a lion to maul other students. To me these comparisons imply disdain or perhaps ridicule for individuals who feel like they "were born in the wrong body". Now you're likening it to schizophrenia?
With hallucinations an objective bystander can determine if there are indeed sights or sounds present that would confirm what the other person is seeing or hearing, or if they are absent. How doyou objectively evaluate what another person feels their identity is? With all the variants that exist in nature, why do you find it so implausible that a person might indeed legitimately feel that they exist "in the wrong body"?
Do we have to come up with words for non-transgender people calling them cisgender because developing thicker skins isn't an option?
As has already been pointed out in this thread, the opposite to normal is abnormal. Are you genuinely comfortable with labeling other human beings abnormal? Don't you see how painfully ostracizing that label is? Especially when applied to a child or teenager.
I wonder if you'd be as motivated as you currently seem to be if you, as I have, had tried to care for an unconcious seventeen-year-old, beaten so badly that both eyes were completely swollen shut, internal bleeding and multiple rib fractures causing a tension pneumothorax, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
This is not a forum for discussions about transgender issues ABOVE the school bathroom issue. The OT asked for input on what we, as school nurses would do to manage the guidance from the Obama Admin regarding which BR transgender individuals will use.
If you want to debate the biology/sociology/psychology of transgender issues, I am sure there are MANY forums to do so. That is not what this topic is for.
Thank you.
I personally feel that everything that has been said here is relevant, because it's important to know how people really feel about these issues. I'm sure school nurses will hear a whole host of things from parents, many of whom will sound very much like some of the posters on this thread. I believe it's virtually impossible to open up this topic without divulging into deeper personal feelings about the issue. This is how nurses feel about this, on all sides. This is how some parents will feel. This illuminates the mentalities and arguments that nurses will need to consider, and I believe that addressing all of these topics will help nurses in decision making and in addressing concerned parents. This is important stuff.
I personally feel that everything that has been said here is relevant, because it's important to know how people really feel about these issues.
It may be important to know, but as a nurse, it is not my place to judge others personal beliefs. And as a school district employee, I must follow the policies we have, regardless of what I may think, feel or believe. (And yes, we do have written policies in place for transgender issues. Formulated out of necessity.)
Beyond that, any "dust up" from parents or students is an issue handled by administration.
It may be important to know, but as a nurse, it is not my place to judge others personal beliefs. And as a school district employee, I must follow the policies we have, regardless of what I may think, feel or believe. (And yes, we do have written policies in place for transgender issues. Formulated out of necessity.)
Beyond that, any "dust up" from parents or students is an issue handled by administration.
Right. And my point is that what's been said in this thread is not off topic. Off topic would be if someone started questioning President Obama's citizenship.
It may be important to know, but as a nurse, it is not my place to judge others personal beliefs. And as a school district employee, I must follow the policies we have, regardless of what I may think, feel or believe. (And yes, we do have written policies in place for transgender issues. Formulated out of necessity.)
Beyond that, any "dust up" from parents or students is an issue handled by administration.
I think you both make good points.
As to your last sentence . . . we as school nurses know that sometimes the admin makes the school nurse handle sticky wickets like this.
Right. And my point is that what's been said in this thread is not off topic. Off topic would be if someone started questioning President Obama's citizenship.
lifelearningrn, BSN, RN
2,622 Posts
I believe people are born the way they are born, be it straight, gay, transgender or cisgender.. These are NOT to be confused with mental illness, which has absolutely nothing to do with sexuality and gender...