Teacher and ‘fierce advocate’ praised for passionate speech defending trans kids

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An Ohio teacher’s passionate speech supporting LGBTQ+ students has won hearts online as the state board of education tries to push anti-trans policies in the area.

Dawn Riggs, an educator with over three decades of experience, testified against an Ohio board of education resolution that would go directly against proposals from the US department of education to extend federal protections against discrimination to trans students. 

Riggs said she’s had “many trans and non-binary students” in her classes and described how many students told her that she provided a “safe space” for LGBTQ+ kids to be “their authentic selves”.

“They have shared stories about traumas they were experiencing outside my classroom from classmates, other teachers, family members,” Riggs said.

“They have told me about their cutting. They have told me about their suicidal thoughts, their depression and anxiety and wish to disappear.”

Dawn Riggs urged the Ohio board of education to “oppose this hateful and misguided” proposal, which would out LGBTQ+ students to their families. (The Ohio Channel)

Riggs said it “made a difference” to these students when they could walk into her classroom knowing they would be called by their chosen name and the pronouns that “reflected their lived experience”.

“Even if no other adult in their life affirmed their identity, they knew they would be safe for at least a little while each day,” she said. 

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She added it is “no burden” to use the name or pronouns that a student prefers, adding: “If your friend William asked you to call him Billy, you don’t blink an eye.”

“The only difference between these examples and those opposed by this harmful resolution is the perception that a student’s gender does not fit your expectation of it,” Riggs said.

‘I urge you to oppose this hateful rhetoric’

Riggs also hit out at the Ohio board of education for considering a “horrifying” proposal which would allow schools to out trans students to their parents – potentially putting them in a dangerous situation if their families are unwilling to affirm their gender identity.

“Our students must be able to choose the time and the manner in which they share their transness and with whom,” Riggs said. “It is not our place to force them to do so. I urge you to oppose this hateful and misguided rhetoric.”

Numerous people praised Riggs for her passionate advocacy for LGBTQ+ students and for taking a stand against the hateful proposal. 

May every LGBTQ+ student have as fierce an advocate as Dawn Riggs, who testified against a policy in Ohio that would ban trans students pronouns, out them, ban them from bathrooms.

“They knew they would be safe for at least a little while each day” in her class. pic.twitter.com/e3a4e3u1UN

— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) September 20, 2022

Cis people: You have no idea how amazing and life giving it is as a trans person when I see cis people actually defending trans people. It's easy to lose hope when you think trans people are the only people who care about trans people. https://t.co/lCknE0fFN5

— Joelle Maslak