LGBTQ advocates answer questions after NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson targets community

When a video surfaced of North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson claiming educators are teaching students about being gay and transgender, everyone’s attention was drawn to him describing those lessons as “filth.”

But it also brought up lessons that many of us could learn, or at least use a refresher on.

For example, that “transgenderism” is considered demeaning and that the anti-discrimination group GLAAD describes it as a problematic term that should be avoided.

Or that gender identity disorder is considered outdated and should be replaced with gender dysphoria.

Or calling someone genetically male oversimplifies a complex matter and that assigned male at birth is the preferred terminology.

The News & Observer consulted GLAAD’s media reference guide and spoke with an LGBTQ advocate about these topics.

Here’s what you need to know:

What does it mean to be transgender?

GLAAD describes being transgender as an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Do all transgender people alter their bodies to align with their gender identity?

No, the organization says. Being transgender is not dependent upon physical appearance or medical procedures.

What is ‘transgenderism?’

Robinson used the word in the video released last week.

GLAAD states that the term is used by anti-transgender activists to dehumanize transgender people and reduce who they are to a condition.

The News & Observer also spoke to Craig White, supportive schools director of the Campaign for Southern Equality. White said that using “ism” is a political strategy to take an identity and make it sound as if it’s an ideology.

He said both parties do it, as was seen when support of former President Donald Trump began to be referred to as “Trumpism.”

What is being taught in schools?

North Carolina sets the standards for each subject, with school districts approving the curriculum used for teaching those standards. The state standards are largely silent on LGBTQ issues.

But recently adopted social studies standards, which were opposed by Robinson, tell teachers to talk about the perspectives of historically marginalized groups. State documents suggest teachers discuss the LGBTQ rights movement, its historical leaders and the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York that sparked the movement.

We asked Wake County Schools whether anything in its curriculum relates to LGBTQ issues. A district spokesperson noted only that the subject is not part of of the state standards.

White said what is being taught to students about being LGBTQ varies from district to district. He said few districts have a policy about being inclusive. When a district does have a policy it covers different topics including sexual identity, religion, race and disabilities.

What is ideal in the classroom?

White teaches a college course on equity in education. He said the ideal curriculum should include “mirrors and windows.” He said students need to see themselves reflected in what is being taught. He said they also need to see inside what it is like to be someone else.

Is having LGBTQ content in the curriculum beneficial?

Robinson’s initial statements to a church in Seagrove that were shown in the video were of criticism that students were being taught about homosexuality and being transgender.

When he received blowback from his statements he said he had evidence: three LGBTQ-related books that were found in school libraries across the state. One of them that he has since shown to his constituents and the media includes sexually explicit illustrations. The book with more circulation in school libraries, called “George,” by Alex Gino, is a children’s book that shows the character of George grappling with feeling that he’s really a girl and wanting to play the role of title character in Charlotte’s Web for his school play.

White said research consistently shows that when having LGBTQ historical figures included in social studies and English lessons and LGBTQ topics covered in health classes the school as a whole becomes safer. He said those lessons help LGBTQ youth feel that they belong and have a place in their school.

What is the impact on LGBTQ youth of leaders’ criticism?

White said that since Robinson’s video surfaced he has had reports of increased violence and harassment. He and Adam Polaski, spokesman for the Campaign for Southern Equality, said that whenever a leader speaks out against the LGBTQ community or files bills that target the community the organization receives an increased number of phone calls from concerned parents trying to combat harassment and bullying or reporting that it has happened. Polaski said often in past incidents the reports involve students using the politician’s words against another LGBTQ student.

What about teachers?

White said that these bills and comments have also made teachers who are open about their sexuality targets of harassment.

Staff writer T. Keung Hui contributed to this report.