currently, near Houston...

A good friend of mine has been suspended, pending a decision by the school board, who apparently is expected to fire her.

http://www.12newsnow.com/story/25197265/transgender-substitute-teacher-on-leave-pending-school-board-decision

I have known her for years and she is a real sweetie who would never corrupt children. She is devastated by this.

Considering these kids are, what 10-12 yrs old, I don't see how it couldn't be a distraction at the least.

We have male teachers. We have female teachers. Ability is not at issue. But, remembering how a 10-12 yo mind works, it would almost have to interrupt the learning process to some degree.

I can't understand how anyone ever thought this would be a good idea.

What don't kill ya makes ya stronger...hope she comes out the better for it.

it would almost have to interrupt the learning process to some degree.

For a few minutes. Until it's explained.

Here's the crux:

"If it does affect my child and his ability to learn or if it causes questions that I don't feel are appropriate then undoubtedly there's an issue with having somebody transgender, transsexual or transvestite, to be teaching that age group," Beard said.

There's the problem right there. This has nothing to do with kids being confused and everything to do with parents being uncomfortable.

Of course it's about the parents, the kids have no say. The parent says they are concerned about how it will affect their kid. Right, wrong, or indifferent, I have no reason not to believe them and neither do you. How would they know how it would affect their kid when they themselves have no clue.

All they know is it ain't right that this shit be happening in Texas.

I can see a sudden transition in the middle of the school year confusing the kids, but this doesn't sound anything like that. I want to know how the parents found out?

Everything and anything can be a distraction to kids that age. this is nothing to do with education. Which is sad, because it could be a great learning experience in acceptance and compassion and um what's that c-word with the big c said to be so popular in TX? Not cancer ....the other one.....


I wonder if a busty female teacher who had a double mastectomy (for whatever reason) would be considered to be a distraction? Or an Army vet with a disfigured face?

grrr

thats a discrimination law suit waiting to happen ,
i hope your friend gets a FAT settlement

zippyt;896433 wrote:

thats a discrimination law suit waiting to happen ,
i hope your friend gets a FAT settlement

this

The best is at 1:08

"How am I supposed to explain this to my child?"

[YOUTUBE]HtJ_sDRRVVI[/YOUTUBE]

Hahahaha

That was brilliant.

I had a long talk with m friend LJ last night. It seems that her devastation was all in my head. She was remarkably chipper after a short chat. She was merely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, even from strangers. She has gotten a lot of notes on her FB as well as email and even in person regarding this issue. A local TV station ran a poll that shoowed 86% support for her.

Dana nailed it perfectly. This looks like a tempest in a teapot started by a few unimportant bigots who are perpetually outraged at anything that contradicts their little world.

Gravdigr, the parent seems to be most worried about his son getting a crush on teacher ;)


Bruce, she was hired recently, as she appeared in the pictures (which were lifted from her FB page without permission). Her surgical status is pre-op. I say thi because she doesn't make it a huge secret; but she doesn't wear it on a Tshirt either. She would never discuss the subject with the children or at the school. She loves children and would not try to poison their little minds. And, to put the subject to rest she is NOT there for any nefarious purposes, as has been implied by some (I'm looking at YOU, Breitbart.com!).

She was outed by a neighbor child whose parent cannot accept LJ as a person, only as a freak and who has instilled that mindset in their child, who blabbed to anyone who would listen about LJs status. Children will do scary things to gain their parents' approval.

Zippy, she has spoken to lawyers but is taking no action yet. She is wisely waiting to see how the school board will decide.

The Lumberton area is served by an ISD and is not subject to the city anti-discrimination, which protects gays and transsexuals from discrimination. State law offers no such protection. Bills amending the state laws have been defeated, even though an ISD is not beholden to the state, either.

EEOC rulings and recent court decisions have protected transgender peoples jobs. But ENDA continues to be defeated in the Congress.

I have heard that there is a Change.org petition out there but I was unable to find it. If anyone can share a lilnk to one, I would appreciate it.

Pamela

Social change is a progression, and there always comes a time with any such issue when it's good for this type of thing to happen. It allows that 86% to speak up and declare their support, and only speeds the silencing of the conservationist minority. It's not enough to reach critical mass; you have to collectively know you've reached critical mass. I'm proud that we get to live in these times, on the lee side of the hill.



[sidenote]It amuses me that you are calling your friend "LJ" and this is happening in the "Lumberton" district.[/sidenote]

Bruce, she was hired recently, as she appeared in the pictures (which were lifted from her FB page without permission).

When are people going to learn FB is a gun for shooting yourself in the foot.:facepalm:

beg pardon?

Bruce, she was hired recently, as she appeared in the pictures (which were lifted from her FB page without permission).

They weren't made aware because of the Fb picture. The FB picture was just what was shown without her permission in the report.

Just one more example of FB coming back to bite your ass. What is the number, 20%, 30%, 50% of divorces involve FB? Stupid people. :p:

In what way is FB biting her in the ass at all? The ?fact that the picture was used without her permission was an aside and has no relevance to the case. No one is claiming judgment is being based on the picture. Curious to understand your argument here.

Your right Monster, I assumed along with the pictures she talked about her transition, and I shouldn't have done that. Bet it's true though, like all the other people talking too much.

The school board held their meeting and the decision was made to reinstate Laura Jane immediately. Her detractors were vastly outnumbered by her supporters at the public portion of the meeting.

The best version of the story is on Pam's House Blend, with whom I am NOT affiliated.

If you Google it, there are many stories. My faith in humanity is slightly restored.

hurrah!

I'll admit, I'm surprised (not used to seeing school boards do the right thing,) but very happy for her. Congratulations to Laura Jane for standing her ground.

I spoke too soon. Because Texas!

bleugh. still, she kind of had a choice and it sounds like teaching is not exactly her passion

Teaching is rapidly becoming her passion. She loves teaching kids. I have not talked to her lately about this but I will keep trying. She is understandably difficult to reach.

fair enough. It's a sneaky nasty move by the district/whoever to be sure :(

One day people will learn that sexual orientation (maybe this should read gender orientation) is not something anyone gets taught or influenced into (except maybe for a little experimentation in our formative years, which most of us do right?). I am just tired of people thinking someone else is going to turn them gay or something else ridiculous. It's not like your friend is trans so you decide to dress in drag every day to be like him/her. It just doesn't work that way. I just don't get why people living in this world still think it does...or might.

It's a slippery slope, though.

If you let people choose what gender they will be, what's to stop them deciding they are actually animals trapped in a human body, and then getting married to eachother..?

That's what caused the Roman Empire to fall you know.
You say toga, I say dress.

Haha...sometimes (often) i love my dogs more than my husband. Dont think i want to get married again though.

I don't know about letting her around children: you never know when a frustrated pilot is going to fly off the handle!