Inspired by Transgender Speaker
GSA Summit Attendee Reflects on Principal Suraci's Presentation
Oct 27, 2007
I attended GLSEN Hudson Valley's Ulster County GSA summit on October 27th at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center where Genna Suraci was our guest speaker. Genna is the principal at Ulster BOCES in Port Ewen, New York and her story was amazing, heart breaking, encouraging, and moved most of the room to tears.
Genna left the kids in June as a male, formerly known as Gary Suraci, and came back in September after transitioning.
Part of what was so amazing was the support she received from her superintendent and others. She said she went to her boss and explained and she said "You know, I understand if you're uncomfortable. And I'm prepared to take time off or resign..." He said to her "You're a valuable employee and we don't want to lose you... So tell me how I can help make this easiest for you."
It was a truly incredible experience. Genna was delightful, entertaining, and open to questions from our high school students and others in the room. And with the Transgendered Day of Remembrance coming up, this was a reminder that although it isn't easy for many trans folk to come out and to transition, sometimes we do get the support we so desperately need. And when that happens, when even ONE person gets that, it has such a positive influence on the community.
Alisha Bell, Kingston, NY
IDEAS FOR YOUR SCHOOL:
1. Invite LGBT speakers from the community to talk to students and staff at your school about their experiences.
2. Create a panel of current students to address school staff about their experiences in your school. Talk about what is positive and what could be improved. The panel could be made up of many diverse students...not just LGBT.
3. Ask graduates of your school who identify at LGBT to come back and talk about their experience attending your school. Has your school climate changed since they were students? They may have ideas for how you can improve the school climate. 
|
