A number of states in the United States have imposed restrictions on classroom topics on race, gender, and sexual orientation. Certain kids claim that they feel less accepted in American schools as a result of the policies that target aspects of their identities. Harmony Kennedy, a girl from Tennessee, first recalls encountering prejudice in elementary school. A girl picked up a leaf on a playground and declared that she wished to “clean the dirt” off Harmony’s skin. Tennessee began enacting laws in 2021 that would restrict classroom discussion and instruction on Black history, gender identity, and race. The measure might have devastating ramifications, according to Harmony.
“I nearly started crying when I heard they were removing African American history and outlawing LGBTQ people,” 16-year-old Harmony remarked. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer is shortened to LGBTQ. The new limits have been heavily advocated for by conservative leaders in several states. According to those legislators, the limitations are required to counter liberal teachings in schools. School boards and activists have also advocated for similar actions. To ensure that the learning materials are acceptable, they claim that teachers require greater supervision. Some school libraries no longer include books. Some educational institutions still refer to transgender students by the name they used prior to their gender identity change.
In Pennsylvania, Leo Burchell attends a school outside of Philadelphia. He began using alternative pronouns in late 2020, during the school closures caused by the pandemic. He began dressing differently. He also trimmed his hair shorter. He said the adjustments felt appropriate. Initially, he requested that teachers substitute the pronouns they/them for she/her. Then he requested that people address him using the pronouns he or him. “It was difficult for a while after changing my name to Leo,” he remarked. “I came out to those close to me, but I wasn’t ready to tell everyone just yet.”
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