The Fight for Transgender Rights in the Public School | Rubin Smyers | TEDxBergenCommunityCollege

Описание: When I came out as transgender, my school denied me my legally protected right to use the facilities in accordance with my gender identity. I refused to take that injustice laying down, and in time the adminis- tration agreed to follow the law. Despite this, I am a very lucky Trans kid. Throughout my battle with the school board, I had the support of my parents, my extended family, my friends, even the majority of students and teachers at my school. And of course, the law was on my side. Most Trans kids aren't so lucky. Over half of the transgender student in the United States report having been denied access to restrooms in accordance with their identity, and only 17 states in the country have laws that protect people from discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression. This is not ok. I, who had to fight for rights I'm legally entitled to, should not be considered lucky. It's time for a change.

Rubin Smyers is a 17-year-old transgender male from Ocean County, New Jersey. He came out to his parents in February of 2014, and to the rest of the world in June of that same year. He considers being transgender an important aspect of his identity, and he has a passion for the movement towards equality. Rubin is a senior at the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools Performing Arts Academy, where he studies voice and actively participates in the schools theatrical productions. He hopes to go to college, earn a degree in musical theatre, perform on Broadway, and use his relative notability as a Broadway actor to promote important social causes such as transgender equality to his fans.


This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx