EDUC 2120-Lesson 2:

Lady GaGa

 

Overview Viewpoint:

Lesson two of EDUC 2120 focuses on transgender and sexual orientation issues. We start off my getting introductedb to a pop artist names, Lady Gaga. She is known for wanting people to be themselves. For this lesson we had to watch a Lady Gaga video called Born This Way. This video influenced many people to be who they feel they truely are. We then had to watch a video called "Why i must come out" which is about a model named Geena Rocero. These videos helped answer the questions below.

 

At Odds with Gender Change Video Questions:

• People use all sorts of negitive terms for transgender. What is the word that Tracy hates the most? Explain why you think that she would dislike this word the most.

 

• Who is correct? The Catholic school system or the parents and children in this video? Explain.                                                        I personally feel like the parents and the children were right. The parents just wanted their children to be happy and comfortable. The werent getting that from the catholic school that they were attending. The school wouoldnt accept Tracy as she was so they removed her. I support parents who supports there children with who they want to be and how they desire to live their life. Im sure it is very hard for a parent to accept that.

Lady GaGa Questions:

• Explain in your own words the meaning behind Lady GaGa's "Born This Way" song. 
   In my own words i feel like this song is about being who you know you are. Being true to yourself. Not being ashamed of who you are and how you shouldnt care about what others have to say about you. I think this song made a big impact on the LGBT community because it taught many to not be afraid to come out. It teaches them that is who they are. Another meaning is that it teaches you to not be ashamed for who you are. The song kind of teaches you that god made you like this you shouldn't hide and regret who you are.

   

• At the end of the Lady GaGa video, she and her dancers raise their hands in the air. What does this mean?

   The are reaching for God. They are reaching out to God "who makes no mistakes". It is said that this a way that people use to ask God for strength and guidance. If your having any issues or feel out of place that you should talk to a higher power. He is the one who knows the most about you and can help you figure things out.

 

• What do you think would have more of a NEGATIVE EFFECT on a child - having a transgender teacher or listening and viewing Lady GaGa's songs and videos?. Explain.
  Personally i would feel neither one would have a negative effect on a child. Having a transgender teacher would not make a child a homosexual. Just like watching a Lady Gaga video wouldnt make you one either. Lady Gaga songs encourage people to be who they are not just thoughs who are gay but even straight people. As far as a teacher there job is to teach. 

 

Transgender Questions to go with the Yosemite teacher video above:

• What are your general thoughts concerning Gender change?
  I feel like people shouldnt feel scared to be who they are. I fully dont understand Gender change. I still not sure if people really are born that way or if people go through a gender identity crisis. But i do support it. Everyone is different and thats something people have to realize. I sure going through a gender change is a pretty brave thing especially because of how societey is. Transgender have to go through so much critizism and bullying.

 

• If you were friends with the Yosemite teacher before the gender change, would you STILL be friends? If yes, why? If no, why not?
  Yes, just because you change your gender doesnt mean it changes who you are. If they were nice and sweet before the change 9 times out of 10 they will still be like that. Its called a gender change not a personality change. I see him as someone who is just trying to be happy and that is what i would want for all of my friends. For them to just be happy. 

 

• If you were a classroom teacher, how would you explain this issue (Transgender) to your students?

"No Dumb Questions" Video Questions: 

 

• What knowledge and understanding do you feel you have gained about people who are transgender? What questions do you still have?

  I feel like i have gained some knowledge about transgender people. They go through a lot and they look for happiness just like everyone else in the world. Many of them need a good support system. I created an understanding that transgender people are highly disriminated against. This causes a lot of issues self issues for them. Many times transgender people result in suicide. If i had to ask a question it would be do they ever miss being the gender they were born?

• If you have not had this experience, how would you react if a family member (uncle/aunt, brother/sister, mother/father, or child) revealed that they were transgender?
  I think i would still support it. I would want them to be happy. Many people committ suicide because they dont have anyone there for them or dont have a support system. I wouldnt want them to ever have thoughts like that. If i had never experienced it i think my reaction would be suprising depending on who it was. Sometimes you know that the person act like the opposite sex and your just waiting for them to accept it and come out, then it really wouldnt be surprising

 

• The filmmaker, Melissa Regan, says that she hopes that No Dumb Questions will show that it is okay and even imperative or adults and children to engage in age-appropriate dialogue about sexual orientation and gender differences. Do you think the filmmaker accomplished her goal? Why or why not?
  Yes, because when people and children are allowed to ask questions its easier for them to have an understanding. Being able to ask questions made a big impact on the children. It was preparing them for the transition so they knew what they will be expecting. It made them realize what their uncle was going through and how he will still be the same person just a different gender and different appearance.

• Why do you think these subjects are talked about infrequently or seen as taboo?
  I think its because society doesnt see it as a norm. Many people or still in denial that this is an important subject. Also i feel like many are afraid to talk about it. I think some are afraid to talk about it because they think that their child or love ones may want to change their identity. Also i think its because the United States mostly a religious nation and many are taught that it is wrong for them to even have thoughts of being gay or being transgender.

• What are some of the behaviors or phrases in the film that you would like to try to use when talking to children about sexual orientation and gender identity?
  Diffentely answer whatever questions that they have. "There is no such thing as a dumb question" and that is true. I would also explain to them that they shouldn't be afraid. I think when talking to children about gender identity or sexual orientation i would explain to them how it happens. I feel like it is good to prepare them and let them know that they dont have to be shy about it.

• What knowledge and understanding do you feel you have gained about people who are transgender? What questions do you still have?
  I gained the knowledge of how important that they want the people close to them to understand them. They are scared when they first start to go through the process and they want the people they love the most to support them. I understand that people who are transgender just want to be treated like everyone else. They dont want to be seen as different just because of their gender change.

"Why I Must Come Out" - Video Question

 

• Why does Geena Rocero feel the need to "come out" in her talk? Explain.
   She wants to help people who want to be transgender to come out. She wants to help people not be afraid and help them go through the critizism they might face. She wants to help others be who they are without them living in shame and terror. She also wants to help put a stop to suicide because many who have a rought time coming out often leads to suicide.
   

   

• Summary
  This was a very long lesson but it teaches you and gives you a little more of an understanding out how a trasgender child or adult may feel about coming out. This lesson let me see how children feel about going through their trasgender process and how they felt about it. Trasgender people go through a lot, so much bullying and often they lose a lot of people and family. Many times that is why many people are afraid to come out because of fear. I support anyone who wants to live the trasgender life because i know it must be a very diffiult thing to do espically coming out. 

   

• Research Question
  Are transgender people more likely to committ or attempt to suicide then someone that is not trasgender?

   

• Research Anaylsis
  A new study suggests that transgender people attempt suicide at a rate almost 10 times higher than found in the overall US population. Researchers from the American Society for Suicide Prevention, did a study on suicide attempts in transgender and gender non-conforming adults. The study found that the rate for suicide attempts in the general US adult population is about 4.6%. In transgender people, the attempted suicide rate is 41%. Trans men have a 46% rate of attempted suicide while trans women are not far behind at 41%

  Psychologists say transgender people often face what feels like a stacked deck against them. The disapproval and confusion of friends, family and people around them creates a burden of stress. Many trans people fear for their safety because of the threat of anti-transgender violence.Other risks In addition to their higher risk of suicide, transgender people face steeper odds for other health issues.

   

• Research Summary
  A contributing factor on why a transgender person might committ suicide is the discrimination they face at work, at school, and many other public places like hospitals. Sometimes they are discriminated against and lose there job just because of their gender identity. Its important for people who are transgender or even thinking about it to have a good support system. If anyone was to have the thought of suicide they should really seek help before its too late. They may not think that they have someone their for them but they would be suprised because there is many who will support them and be there for them.

 

http://americablog.com/2014/02/study-trans-people-10x-likely-attempt-suicide.html