As a teacher of Women's Voices and a mouthpiece for LGBTQ issues, I want to take the opportunity to praise Bruce Jenner. While it may seem reprehensible for an academic to discuss a member of the Kardashian clan, hear me out.
Bruce Jenner boldly declared his identity as a woman on a nationally televised program. For an individual who was born as a man to identify as a woman in a highly volatile news media was nothing short of courageous. I hope that my students can look to this individual and others in the trans-community and recognize the difficulty and bravery of Jenner's public declaration of self-identity.
I hope that Jenner inspires others to share their stories, to be compelled to share their true identities despite the limitations of physiology. I want all of my students to know that whatever/whoever they identify as, I both accept and celebrate their identities. Everyone is welcome in my classroom. And for those who deny the identities of those in the LGBTQ community, history will not look favorably upon them. I respect your beliefs, but I believe that such beliefs will change as time progresses.
To those who may feel as if they are outsiders, you are a part of a community. You are welcome here.
Be yourself.
