Students protested D11’s possible ban against teachers asking students for their pronouns on February 22nd in front of D11’s Administration Building.

On February 8th a board meeting was held when Vice President Jason Jorgenson presented the idea of this ban. Board members of D11 will vote whether the ban will be set into stone next month.

“I don’t see it as appropriate for our staff to ask our students what their gender or pronouns or sexuality is, regardless of the age,” states Jorgenson. He also believes that teachers should “stay out of it” when students express their identity to the class.

Because pronouns are used by everyone in everyday situations, using the correct ones becomes that much more important. However, Reverend Al Loma, another board member, agrees with Jorgenson by claiming that he feels “offended” when he hears trans people request to be called by their preferred pronouns. Loma then goes on to compare asking student’s their pronouns to asking if students believe in Christianity and how either could make a student uncomfortable.

Correcting a teacher every time a teacher uses the wrong pronouns can feel invalidating, especially when the correction is ignored. During the meeting, Reverend Al Loma stated how he is “old fashioned” and knows when he sees a girl and when he sees a boy.

Not only is this way of thinking outdated, but it can also be offensive to members of the transgender community. In order to create an environment where students feel safe and confident in their gender identity, accepting and remembering the pronouns of trans students is vital.

Inside Out, a non-profit LGBTQ+ youth service who disagree with the pronoun ban, posted on Facebook, “Pronouns are important. Asking for pronouns is important.” They then go on to explain how adults asking for students’ pronouns and showing interest “removes the guesswork.” Inside Out has also supported protesters by providing hot cocoa in front of D11’s Administration Building.

Because of the sharp rise in transgender youth in the U.S. today (1.4% of 13 to 17 year-olds identify as transgender according to UCLA Williams Institute research), teachers are now forced to adapt to this new generation. However old-school a teacher may think, to encourage students to be comfortable with themselves and the school environment is their responsibility.

Although this pronoun ban would not stop people from expressing their identity, it would prevent teachers from asking and getting involved. How would you react if a teacher explained these rules? What would you say? And how can we, as students, speak up?