Thanks to Westwood Public Schools for contributing this article to Westwood Minute.
Panelist Steve Long talked about cake—specifically the gender-reveal cake he baked six years ago. When he cut into that cake in front of family members, it had both blue and pink colors inside. Long wasn’t revealing the identity of an unborn baby, but rather sharing with family that his teenager was transgender and going forward would be called by the name Felix. “This was how my family found out who he was for the first time,” said Long. “There were still many challenges to go through after that night.”
Long was among the guests from SpeakOUT, which was invited by Westwood Public Schools (WPS) and its School Engagement Committee to take part in a Pride Month forum held in the Pine Hill School cafeteria on Wednesday, May 20 that was geared towards parents. SpeakOUT Boston is a community of speakers and volunteers working to create a world free of bias and prejudice by telling the truths of LGBTQ+ lives.
“I think it’s important in our community that we make a statement that we are inclusive for all,” said School Engagement Committee member Stephanie Bhatti. “I think it’s a learning opportunity for the community. My belief is we do our best, until we know better.”
Long was joined by Oscar deTuya, who told his story about coming out to his family as a young Hispanic man in Miami. He said it took years for his father to accept his sexuality. Sitting alongside Long was Jennifer Stephens, a transgender woman who realized she was transgender while teaching wood shop at Newton South High School.
“I was 53-years-old and married for 24 years with two children,” said Stephens. “I was watching an episode of the Oprah show called ‘Born in the Wrong Body’ and that was the first time I attached transgender to myself.”
After sharing their individual stories, the panel took questions from the audience, which featured parents, along with members of the WPS School Committee and WPS Superintendent Tim Piwowar. Several in the audience questioned how to get more community members and parents involved in these types of conversations.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. An audience of parents and community members had the opportunity to hear speakers from SpeakOUT Boston in a Westwood Public Schools kickoff event on May 20 in anticipation of Pride Month in June.“How can we bring more people to this room, and how can we share these stories?” asked parent and WPS School Committee member JoAnna French. “When you share stories, you start to understand other people’s point of view.”
“Our goal is not just a celebration, but creating a district where every child knows they are safe, supported and valued exactly as they are,” said WPS Director of Equity, Integration and Community Partnerships Lateefah Franck.
In addition to celebrating Pride during the month of June, WPS will celebrate Ally Week from June 2-5. Students at younger grade levels are reading books related to acceptance, and middle school students have activities related to Pride scheduled. High school students involved in the Genders & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) have put together a guide of terms and their definitions to “help our community develop a common language and understanding.”
While the panelists said they have seen advances in acceptance during their lifetimes, many concerns still remain.
“Overall, it’s been a very positive trajectory,” said deTuya. “But there are dips in that. We are living in a dip right now, and that becomes concerning.”
Patchy rain nearby, with a high of 94 and low of 60 degrees. Sunny for the morning, partly cloudy for the afternoon and evening, clear overnight.
66° and Sunny