A Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Forum at LBCC

On Wednesday January 28, LBCC hosted a forum. The goal of the forum was to educate the public on the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual community. About 30 people gathered in the LBCC library witnessed this eye-opening experience.

Sitting at a long table in the front of the crowd sat Tay Mcedwards, Dr. Qwo-Li Driskill, Kamran Ahmed Mirza and Wyatt Zuber.

In the 90  minute forum representatives of the trans* community  were able to speak of some of their personal experiences some good and some bad.

They spoke of being targeted for the way they looked, or what it is like to fight for what they believe in. The panel spoke of  how they feel they are becoming better people because of their efforts

Every person in attendance  was given a handout filled with a list of terms and a list of resources such as:  books, websites and movies all related to the LGBT community.

Kamran said,

”There are terms that can be offensive to some people but it is just a part of life.”

Dr. Driskill brought up a great point;

“No one is concerned about someone’s gender until they are trans. why is that?”...” Why is it that once someone is trans everyone immediately has to discuss it?”

One speaker said it is very simple to just ask a trans if they prefer to be referred to as sir or ma’am.

The final  question the speakers were asked is “what is the one major thing you want the audience to learn from this forum?” Wyatt said, “Just treat everyone the way you want to be treated.” What a simple answer.

Everyone is taught that lesson from a very young age but for some reason, people seem to forget it once they become adults. It does not matter what gender a person is or what type of clothes a person chooses to wear, everyone wants the same thing, respect.

Who: Lesbian Gay Transgender and Bisexual community

What: Transgender, gender non-conforming discussion panel

Where: LBCC Library

When: Wednesday January 28

Why: To inform