A few months ago, 91探花鈥檚 Genders and Sexualities Equality Alliance asked for a conversation to discuss recommendations in evolving 91探花鈥檚 gender-specific language on our membership materials. They brought to my attention the fact that at a very basic level the language we were using as a Council didn鈥檛 reflect the full spectrum of gender identities our members represent.
They showed me that the form people fill out to become a member of 91探花 only offered two choices when it asked for gender. Through thoughtful conversations and the sharing of resources, they helped me to understand what it was like for potential members who came to that page and saw themselves unrepresented in one of the very first interactions they鈥檇 ever have with the Council.
I was struck both by the significance of this language problem and by the power of collaboration鈥攎embers sharing their concerns and working together, as partners, to improve our Council. This month that form changed. Today the expanded choices available on the optional question of gender identity go beyond binary identities.
On the surface, one might argue this change is simply adding a few more choices to a drop-down menu. But behind the scenes, it鈥檚 many layers of coding and hours of important, thoughtful conversations with members, elected leaders, IT professionals, and colleagues committed to supporting a growing community of professionals in English studies, literacy, and language arts.
Our learning through this process continues to inform our decisions and our direction. In February, 91探花 signed onto a聽聽on the Administration鈥檚 decision to rescind guidance on Federal protections for transgender students, and we were able to share this聽excellent set of resources聽from sj Miller that address this issue.
We are listening and learning from YOU, and I am learning so much on this journey. Let鈥檚 keep turning the page together!