I have a very controversial topic to talk about today and want to dive deeper into it with all of you. I’m going to explore and make myself more knowledgeable on the Transgender community. When I was growing up, I only knew that there were two genders and everyone only gets one or the other assigned to them at birth. I understand this can be naive or disrespectful to many people, so I am looking forward to educating myself about it.
Honestly, before college, I did not know anyone that identified as transgender or anyone who used pronouns. When I went to freshman orientation at JMU, I was shocked at how many times I was told to announce my pronouns. This carried into most of my first day of class introductions and I started to get used to it the more I was told to say them.
I’d be lying if I said this didn’t make me a bit uncomfortable freshman year at first BECAUSE the way I grew up and all the norms I had known my whole life were changing. And for me, it was never what anyone else said. It was the fact that I had to get up and say mine. I always thought stating them should be optional.
“If you want to say your pronouns, please do, and for the people who don’t want to, you don’t need to!” type of thing.
According to The Tampa Bay Times, current data shows that the number of people who identify as transgender is very low: between 0.5% and 1.6% of American adults, with slightly higher numbers among young people. Even though this data from the United States is a significantly low percentage, this group of people still deserve the same respect as the next person.
There’s no rhyme, reason or definite factors on anything in this world. All we can do as a society is to just be understanding of each others’ values because we really have no idea how any person grew up besides ourselves.
According to The American Psychological Association, many experts believe that biological factors such as genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences, and experiences later in adolescence or early adulthood may all contribute to the development of transgender identities.
If a person wants to identify as something else, I respect it and want them to be happy. At the end of the day, how is that affecting my life? It’s not. I truly believe a lot of people may have grown up in a city like mine where switching your identity was not very prominent. While some people may never get it, I think most just need a little education on the topic.
While I truly respect and try my best to understand everyone, I do think there are minor boundaries. Restrooms are one example. If I am a mom and have a little girl, it would make me feel uncomfortable if an older (at birth male) who identifies as a female was to be in there with children. A simple solution to appease everyone is to add a third bathroom option.
I think we can do our best to accommodate the Transgender community. However, with that said, people also have to understand that it could make children or parents feel awkward. I know this is a touchy subject all around and not everyone will all be in agreement, but educating themselves is a good start.
As I am now a junior here at JMU, I have met every type of person and I can say I have the utmost respect for every Duke. We’re a family. Love who you love. Be who you are. Do what makes you happy and feel your best self! And don’t listen to anyone else!
ShoutOut! James Madison University 
I can agree that there is a lack of understanding and compassion when it comes to individuals expressing themselves, specifically with how they choose to identify. I really enjoyed reading this piece and hope that we as a society can become more open minded.
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I understand this so much. I felt the same way when I came to jmu mostly because I was confused by pronouns because I struggle with a disability so they have always been confusing to me. I think it’s a tough topic to talk about and navigate but you did a great job explaining it. I think instead of just being inlcusive we need to think about how it might be hard to change these things overnight especially since stuff like this is so new to us.
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One thing I do apricate about college is that there is a lot more understanding. One of my favorite things a professor can do on the first day of class during ice breakers is ask what everyone’s pro-nouns are. I feel this allows students to understand and respect others in their class. It makes me feel more comfortable with addressing my classmates and getting to know them better. Being true to yourself is nothing to be shy or nervous about and should always be shared. At the end of the day, it is your life and no one else should have an opinion on it.
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