Keywords:
advice to teachers, advocacy, questions, pride, confidence, GSA, gay-straight alliance, openness, expression, music, art, ask questions, learning, Rainbow Camp, Classroom Closet, family pride, gratitude, appreciation, support
advice to teachers, advocacy, questions, pride, confidence, GSA, gay-straight alliance, openness, expression, music, art, ask questions, learning, Rainbow Camp, Classroom Closet, family pride, gratitude, appreciation, support
Transcript
Dan: Um so definitely being open to education is very important. And for staff and schools and stuff always let your youth express themselves through the school and this is [unclear] and everything. Like We have in our school a rainbow mural that we painted and we're raising money with our LGBT group now to get a flag pole so we could put up a rainbow flag in front of our school.
Tara: Wow.
Dan: So letting your students express themselves through.
Chantale: Through art or through their whatever, whether it be music or art or whatever but let them express themselves and I don't -- I think you should never be afraid to ask questions.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: You know like if it's OK to ask questions but to just be open you know. So that's definitely an important thing. And I would also just like to say that I am very proud of Dan because I find that within the LGBTQ community Dan's been able to express herself and discover herself in a way that we only hope we can do as adults.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: You know Dan is not afraid to be Dan no matter who tells her that Dan should be somebody else you know. And I am so proud of that because as adults we struggle.
Kate: Sure.
Chantale: We still struggle to like be accepted or to fit in. You know and I've always prided myself on being me no matter what.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: You know but I'm a grown woman still struggling to just be me no matter.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: In whatever my preferences are and for Dan, a 16 year old, to already be able to do that shows such strength and courage. And as a parent it makes me proud because if Dan's able to do that about who she is now I mean does that not show you what these youth can do when it comes to their pressures. If they're able to be strong enough to just be true to themselves no matter what, I find like I have no worries of other pressures like Dan, Dan can speak for herself like proudly and loudly and it makes me really proud that she's able to do that. I appreciate the support her school has given her that allowed her to do it. I am very thankful to her GSA and to many of the teachers that organized that GSA that were able to let her know about these things. Before I was even aware them, like about Rainbow Camp--
Tara: Yes.
Chantale: and about the Classroom Closet. I mean I went to my first Classroom Closet this year but Dan's been going like she said for three years with her school. You know like and I appreciate that they offered that for her. And yes I was a proud mom and an open mom and a supportive mom and Dan was always able to come with me no matter what but it's also nice for youth to also have the peers and the support of staff and the school environment be supportive too. So I really appreciate that and I'm very proud of Dan.
Dan: Um so definitely being open to education is very important. And for staff and schools and stuff always let your youth express themselves through the school and this is [unclear] and everything. Like We have in our school a rainbow mural that we painted and we're raising money with our LGBT group now to get a flag pole so we could put up a rainbow flag in front of our school.
Tara: Wow.
Dan: So letting your students express themselves through.
Chantale: Through art or through their whatever, whether it be music or art or whatever but let them express themselves and I don't -- I think you should never be afraid to ask questions.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: You know like if it's OK to ask questions but to just be open you know. So that's definitely an important thing. And I would also just like to say that I am very proud of Dan because I find that within the LGBTQ community Dan's been able to express herself and discover herself in a way that we only hope we can do as adults.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: You know Dan is not afraid to be Dan no matter who tells her that Dan should be somebody else you know. And I am so proud of that because as adults we struggle.
Kate: Sure.
Chantale: We still struggle to like be accepted or to fit in. You know and I've always prided myself on being me no matter what.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: You know but I'm a grown woman still struggling to just be me no matter.
Tara: Right.
Chantale: In whatever my preferences are and for Dan, a 16 year old, to already be able to do that shows such strength and courage. And as a parent it makes me proud because if Dan's able to do that about who she is now I mean does that not show you what these youth can do when it comes to their pressures. If they're able to be strong enough to just be true to themselves no matter what, I find like I have no worries of other pressures like Dan, Dan can speak for herself like proudly and loudly and it makes me really proud that she's able to do that. I appreciate the support her school has given her that allowed her to do it. I am very thankful to her GSA and to many of the teachers that organized that GSA that were able to let her know about these things. Before I was even aware them, like about Rainbow Camp--
Tara: Yes.
Chantale: and about the Classroom Closet. I mean I went to my first Classroom Closet this year but Dan's been going like she said for three years with her school. You know like and I appreciate that they offered that for her. And yes I was a proud mom and an open mom and a supportive mom and Dan was always able to come with me no matter what but it's also nice for youth to also have the peers and the support of staff and the school environment be supportive too. So I really appreciate that and I'm very proud of Dan.