Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Transgender letter in the mail

School informs parents of janitor's life change

By Ellie Oleson CORRESPONDENT

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080819/NEWS/808190601/1008/NEWS02

OXFORD— The tall custodian with a shy smile, striking blue eyes and softly waved salt-and-pepper hair wears a gray T-shirt, as do all school custodians in town. In previous years, students at Clara Barton Elementary School knew him as Brian Bonin. However, starting this year, they will know him as Brianna Bonin.

Parents of all pupils at the school can expect to receive a letter this week signed by both Ernest L. Boss, superintendent of schools, and Principal Norman P. Yvon, explaining, "Our night custodian has informed us of his decision to change his gender and, as we begin the school year, he will begin living and working as a woman. He has been a valued employee of the Oxford Public Schools for many years, and we expect his exemplary performance to continue as he changes gender roles."

I am in the same boat, so I am curious to see how the parents/students/faculty/staff respond.

I've never understood why it's necessary to "publicly announce" the issue in such venues. Wouldn't the mere change in name be enough for most educated people to "get it"...

Quote from: liv on August 19, 2008, 08:54:53 AM
I've never understood why it's necessary to "publicly announce" the issue in such venues. Wouldn't the mere change in name be enough for most educated people to "get it"...

Not in a public school setting.  Regardless of how liberal people are in their politics, parents are notoriously conservative when it comes to their kids.  You want to inform parents, students & staff ahead of time so that the initial shock factor does not interfere with education.  This also provides opportunity to educate the general populace as to who we are - and that we are not "sexual perverts" of some sort.

please Chaunte, never ever get a job at Walmart, we'll always be perverts to them. 



Warrior Princess Mickie

Quote from: Chaunte on August 19, 2008, 09:11:51 AM


Not in a public school setting.  Regardless of how liberal people are in their politics, parents are notoriously conservative when it comes to their kids.  You want to inform parents, students & staff ahead of time so that the initial shock factor does not interfere with education.  This also provides opportunity to educate the general populace as to who we are - and that we are not "sexual perverts" of some sort.

Why go to the effort though? It never seems to deter the redneck bigots who show up on TV news saying "NIMBY". We're under no legal obligation to do so, and technically it's no one's business. If the "parents" are too ignorant to recognize and self-educate themselves on whats going on then a "coming out" packet is hardly going to help enlighten them.

I say forget it.