(no subject)
Jul. 26th, 2006 04:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dumblemopIt's been a long week, and it's only Wednesday. Well, at least things haven't been boring, huh?
Apparently some people have been complaining that Trinity has been playing favorites with Jade and me--because of the whole Jade-and-Toad-are-twins-and-Trinity-is-their-mom story thing--maybe. Honestly, because all of this comes through convoluted channels so nobody knows who specifically is complaining, it's all very confusing. And upsetting. That's one thing.
The other thing is that apparently, Council has recommended/decreed that all staff be referred to as "she." We're all so pleased.
And you know, I'm not even that upset about it for myself--I was never expecting to get anything else, and although I may have gotten spoiled by getting the treatment that I prefer, I was prepared for the alternative when I took this job.
However, I am upset about it on principle. We preach safe space hard and fast around here--how can we claim that camp is a safe space for kids if it's not also safe space for the counselors? I even told Trinity that it was the single thing that made me feel most welcome, that she used male pronouns for me almost automatically. And it's ridiculous to bring it up now, because we're halfway through the sixth session. And it's ridiculous anyway. I always thought the Girl Scouts were better than the Boy Scouts--I even described it that way to someone, "it's sort of like the Boy Scouts, only much cooler." But if this is going to be their un-official official position--because it's not like they're making an official statement that gender identity is either worthless or important, either way--then I don't think I'm cool with that.
And I'd been seriously thinking that this was something I could do for awhile. Like sure, there are things I don't agree with or that I think could be done better--I'd get that anywhere. But I feel safe here. And this is something I can actually do, and it's fun and it's challenging and it's good for the kids. But if this is going to be their attitude...
And really, it does bother me for myself. Because as much as it doesn't matter which pronouns I get for most people, I think it would really bother me if certain people suddenly had to switch to female. Guess who.
And really really, it bothers me because all of this is breaking Trin's heart.
This is my life.
Apparently some people have been complaining that Trinity has been playing favorites with Jade and me--because of the whole Jade-and-Toad-are-twins-and-Trinity-is-their-mom story thing--maybe. Honestly, because all of this comes through convoluted channels so nobody knows who specifically is complaining, it's all very confusing. And upsetting. That's one thing.
The other thing is that apparently, Council has recommended/decreed that all staff be referred to as "she." We're all so pleased.
And you know, I'm not even that upset about it for myself--I was never expecting to get anything else, and although I may have gotten spoiled by getting the treatment that I prefer, I was prepared for the alternative when I took this job.
However, I am upset about it on principle. We preach safe space hard and fast around here--how can we claim that camp is a safe space for kids if it's not also safe space for the counselors? I even told Trinity that it was the single thing that made me feel most welcome, that she used male pronouns for me almost automatically. And it's ridiculous to bring it up now, because we're halfway through the sixth session. And it's ridiculous anyway. I always thought the Girl Scouts were better than the Boy Scouts--I even described it that way to someone, "it's sort of like the Boy Scouts, only much cooler." But if this is going to be their un-official official position--because it's not like they're making an official statement that gender identity is either worthless or important, either way--then I don't think I'm cool with that.
And I'd been seriously thinking that this was something I could do for awhile. Like sure, there are things I don't agree with or that I think could be done better--I'd get that anywhere. But I feel safe here. And this is something I can actually do, and it's fun and it's challenging and it's good for the kids. But if this is going to be their attitude...
And really, it does bother me for myself. Because as much as it doesn't matter which pronouns I get for most people, I think it would really bother me if certain people suddenly had to switch to female. Guess who.
And really really, it bothers me because all of this is breaking Trin's heart.
This is my life.
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no subject
Date: 2006-07-27 01:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-27 02:49 am (UTC)I'm telling you. If everyone just referred to you as "butt," everything would be so much easier!
no subject
Date: 2006-07-28 12:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-27 01:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-27 01:56 pm (UTC)For your viewing pleasure...
Under Nondiscrimination-Lifestyles-Sexual Orientation
"The Girl Scouts value diversity and inclusiveness and, therefore, do not discriminate on any basis. However, we do not permit the advocacy or promotion of a personal lifestyle or sexual orientation, nor do we recruit accordingly. Indeed, we have firm standards relating to appropriate conduct on the part of all adults who work with girls. We believe that sexual orientation is a private matter for girls and their families to address."
Don't get me started on this! I could write a fucking book. It makes me so angry. It starts off okay--yay for a nondiscrimination policy. But suddenly, it takes a harsh turn. It bothers me that they state that we don't promote a certain sexual orientation. The last time I checked "heterosexual" was a sexual orientation and I remember my Girl Scouting days well. They were inundated with activities that promoted that "lifestyle." It's all bullshit if you ask me.
Another thing, the statement that we have "firm standards relating to appropriate conduct on the part of all adults who work with girls." What the fuck?! Yes, that is an important statement, but it belongs in a place where we describe our standards for ALL adults who work with girls! It has no place in a statement about our POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION against the gay community. It is merely perpetuating an ugly stereotype.
Finally (well, for now), the last sentence really gets to me. "We believe that sexual orientation is a private matter for girls and their families to address." It reminds me of what you said about camp being a "safe space." There are so many girls in the organization who simply cannot talk about this at home--it is not a "safe space" for them to talk through these issues. Girl Scouts markets itself as this great place to help girls grow strong--but, we refuse to help girls who are in need of guidance or support. It doesn't make sense to me.
Don't get me wrong, I do feel that Girl Scouts was a great force in my life. Unfortunately, I feel that through their desire to please everyone at once, they are truly helping no one.
I know this really took a detour from your main issue with their "stance" on gender identity--but, I thought it really illustrated the Girl Scouts' inability to take a stance on ANYTHING and it was really good for me to just get it off my chest. Sorry it was so long.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-28 12:16 am (UTC)