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A 6-year-old girl is now leading the fight against gender discrimination A 6-year-old girl is now leading the fight against gender discrimination
(3 months later)
The state of Colorado tackled a controversial civil rights issue this week, ruling in favour of a 6-year-old girl's right to express her identity – all because she wasn't afraid to fight for it.The state of Colorado tackled a controversial civil rights issue this week, ruling in favour of a 6-year-old girl's right to express her identity – all because she wasn't afraid to fight for it.
The girl's name is Coy Mathis. She just completed the first grade. And she was born a boy.The girl's name is Coy Mathis. She just completed the first grade. And she was born a boy.
The transgender child began identifying as a girl early in her life, and when she started kindergarten last year, Fountain-Fort Carson School District agreed to treat her like any other. However, at the beginning of this school year, the district started to discriminate.The transgender child began identifying as a girl early in her life, and when she started kindergarten last year, Fountain-Fort Carson School District agreed to treat her like any other. However, at the beginning of this school year, the district started to discriminate.
Coy's family was informed that she would no longer be permitted to use the girls' bathroom at Eagleside Elementary School and would be sent to the restroom either in the teachers' lounge or the nurse's office – a clear violation of her civil liberties and one that the state's civil rights division recognised after the family filed suit, claiming the school district had violated the state's antidiscrimination law. The division rightfully concluded that the school district needlessly created a situation in which Coy would be subject to harassment.Coy's family was informed that she would no longer be permitted to use the girls' bathroom at Eagleside Elementary School and would be sent to the restroom either in the teachers' lounge or the nurse's office – a clear violation of her civil liberties and one that the state's civil rights division recognised after the family filed suit, claiming the school district had violated the state's antidiscrimination law. The division rightfully concluded that the school district needlessly created a situation in which Coy would be subject to harassment.
The school district told Coy's parents that as she grew older and started to develop and mature (as a male) some of the school's students and their parents might become uneasy with her sharing the girls' bathroom. Sure, it's a valid argument – some parents might indeed dislike the idea, though, segregating a child from her peers merely because she's different from them sounds a bit like a modern-day "separate but equal" mentality. Change is seldom easy. Growth is rarely comfortable. And, in instances such as these, parental worries are certainly understandable. But shouldn't parents' first concern be instilling basic human values in their children – that is, values that have progressed past the year 1890?The school district told Coy's parents that as she grew older and started to develop and mature (as a male) some of the school's students and their parents might become uneasy with her sharing the girls' bathroom. Sure, it's a valid argument – some parents might indeed dislike the idea, though, segregating a child from her peers merely because she's different from them sounds a bit like a modern-day "separate but equal" mentality. Change is seldom easy. Growth is rarely comfortable. And, in instances such as these, parental worries are certainly understandable. But shouldn't parents' first concern be instilling basic human values in their children – that is, values that have progressed past the year 1890?
Coy, who is a triplet with two other sisters, was diagnosed with gender identity disorder, a designation the American Psychiatric Association erased from its list of mental disorders last year – which could be seen as further evidence that, much like sexual orientation, gender identification cannot be truly changed. Moreso, there should be no pressure to try.Coy, who is a triplet with two other sisters, was diagnosed with gender identity disorder, a designation the American Psychiatric Association erased from its list of mental disorders last year – which could be seen as further evidence that, much like sexual orientation, gender identification cannot be truly changed. Moreso, there should be no pressure to try.
At least some local governments – such as the state of Colorado's – are making strides. And earlier this month, the US Social Security Administration recognised transgender people when it announced that they will be able to update their gender on agency records without having undergone sex-reassignment surgery. It should be debated at local, state and federal levels. As it stands now, 17 states and the District of Columbia offer some sort of legal protection for transgender people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. It's not enough. Thirty-three more need to join this century's fight against discrimination.At least some local governments – such as the state of Colorado's – are making strides. And earlier this month, the US Social Security Administration recognised transgender people when it announced that they will be able to update their gender on agency records without having undergone sex-reassignment surgery. It should be debated at local, state and federal levels. As it stands now, 17 states and the District of Columbia offer some sort of legal protection for transgender people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. It's not enough. Thirty-three more need to join this century's fight against discrimination.
The US has criminalised slavery, legalised homosexuality and, in some states, passed legislation – and subsequently banned it – allowing same-sex couples to be legally wed. Then this week, the US Supreme Court gave California the green light to resume same-sex marriages. So take the next logical step to further civil rights and recognise the rights of transgender people despite how unfamiliar – and, for some, maybe even uncomfortable – the transition.The US has criminalised slavery, legalised homosexuality and, in some states, passed legislation – and subsequently banned it – allowing same-sex couples to be legally wed. Then this week, the US Supreme Court gave California the green light to resume same-sex marriages. So take the next logical step to further civil rights and recognise the rights of transgender people despite how unfamiliar – and, for some, maybe even uncomfortable – the transition.
One 6-year-old girl has pushed civil rights into the next generation, following other LGBTQ trailblazers such as Kye Allums, the first publicly transgender person to play NCAA Division I college basketball; Victoria Kolakowski, the first openly transgender US trial judge; and Amanda Simpson, who is believed to be the country's first openly transgender presidential appointee. Coy is just one among an entire community like her that deserves acceptance. And it will take open minds and strict antidiscrimination laws to win their fight.One 6-year-old girl has pushed civil rights into the next generation, following other LGBTQ trailblazers such as Kye Allums, the first publicly transgender person to play NCAA Division I college basketball; Victoria Kolakowski, the first openly transgender US trial judge; and Amanda Simpson, who is believed to be the country's first openly transgender presidential appointee. Coy is just one among an entire community like her that deserves acceptance. And it will take open minds and strict antidiscrimination laws to win their fight.
Yes, the state of Colorado's ruling is a groundbreaking success for transgender equality in schools, but it should also advance the equality of transgender people within a much larger society.Yes, the state of Colorado's ruling is a groundbreaking success for transgender equality in schools, but it should also advance the equality of transgender people within a much larger society.
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