Gay Student Jose Garcia's Future in Limbo
posted (October 27, 2009)
http://7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=15373 (http://7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=15373)
On Friday we told you about Jose Garcia. He is the 19 year old male student at the Baptist School of Adult and Continuing Studies in Belmopan who dresses like a female, admits to having used the female bathroom, and carries a purse as his school bag. It might seem like bizarre behaviour but Garcia told us he has been that way since he was 7 and that he says he feels like a female trapped in man's body. That's actually a condition known as gender dysphoria. But to the administration at the church run Baptist High School, Jose Garcia has become a distraction and he has been threatened with dismissal for, "disrespecting the rules of the institution."
And that is why the Ministry of Education has jumped in. Public Information Officer Arlette Gomez told us by phone from Belmopan that the investigation is ongoing but they are walking a tight rope between Jose Garcia's constitutional rights to an education and school policy.
also
Gay Student Accuses Baptist High School of Discrimination
posted (October 23, 2009)
Keith Swift Reporting,
http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=15350 (http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=15350)
At first glance, and that is only if you take a quick look, 19 year old Jose Garcia might appear normal but he'll be the first to tell you that he's not.
"All my life I have acted more female than man. For example, I consider myself more female than male. All my life has been like that. Since I remember I was 7 years old since I remember I am like this."