Celebrating Pride Month and Advocating for the Transgender Community

We're re-releasing a previous podcast episode from June 2021 that features an interview with Él Martinez and their mother, Ivylee Martinez, regarding gender identity issues in celebratration of LGBTQ+ Pride month in June.  Pride Month is a time to recognize the issues, challenges, and discrimination the LGBTQ+ community has faced and to celebrate the triumphs.  Host Annette Hines and Él discuss the use of pronouns, labels, and terminology in both the LGBTQ+ community and in the disability community. Honoring each individual and their preferences in how they refer to themselves is essential.  For example, people may have strong feelings about the use of terms like "special needs" or "disabled" and instead choose to use terms like "different" or "extrodinary."

Él explains how the use of pronouns (He/She/They) can be difficult and challenging for friends, family, teachers, and acquaintances to use correctly.   Below are the definitions for various gender terms for those unfamiliar that they shares during the episode:

(Biological) Sex – assigned to a child at birth, most often based on external anatomy.

Gender Identity – the term(s) someone uses to define their gender, ex: male, non-binary, woman, fluid.

Gender Expression – the manifestation of someone’s gender through their appearance.

Transgender – a term used to describe someone who does not identify with the label/biological sex they were assigned at birth.

Cisgender – a term used to describe someone who identifies with the label they were assigned at birth.

Él shares the message of acceptance at the end of the podcast.  For youth: “You’re perfect just the way you are; it’s ok to explore; it’s ok to change how you identify.”  To parents, Él says to have patience.  Kids may not have the answers to the questions you are asking.  Kids are still learning about themselves and to just listen to them and their needs and accept them as they are.  

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please check out your local GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliance) and/or local LGBTQ+ center or group. Other resources include GLSEN, which supports LGBTQ+ students in K-12 education, and   Transgender Law Center.

Learn more about the advocacy work of Él Martinez on their website: https://www.elmartinez.org/

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