I am fortunate, the students in the theatre company are the most open, tolerant and compassionate students at the school. Many of them attend the Pride Club meetings once a week (which discusses LGBTQA issues). The gender fluid students in the company seem fine with any dressing room. They are not set in any one sex, since they seem to identify with both. They usually have no issue about dressing in the room that relates to their biology. Besides the two separate dressing areas, there are two private bathrooms backstage, large enough to change clothes in for anyone who does feel uncomfortable or is too shy to change in front of others. The key here is about providing alternate spaces for everyone.
I have students who identify only with the opposite sex of birth. A few students who were born female, signed up for theatre using male names, use only the "he" pronoun, and are only considered for male roles when auditioning. They have only been cast in male roles. They will use the male dressing room. So far, no one has been offended. If anyone is, there are the two bathrooms.
I puzzle over the students who seem confused and unsure about any of this. I have a couple female students who may be exploring their identities, however, they have signed up for theatre using their correct female names, they use female pronouns, often fix their hair in curls, etc., wear make up, skirts and dresses, and generally act and present themselves as females. They have been cast in female roles. The only time they use a male name is with other students, never with me. I am old fashion, if you use a female name, act, dress, and talk like a female, then I expect you to use the female dressing room. (To be clear, that would be true of a student born male, who did all this; I would assign "her" to the female dressing room.) Investigation of self is an important part of growing up, however, I feel the issue of students dressing and undressing too sensitive for someone still in the exploring stage of their identity. The two students mentioned used the female dressing room without issue.
These are changing times, and there are no clear guidelines or directions, since even states and schools seem troubled creating laws. I think it is best to be open and fair to all students as the drama director, and still provide a safe and protective environment for all. With that said, you have to do what you think is best for your students and community. I try to remain fair and open about my guidelines, and I have not had any student complain, yet.
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Valerie Farschman, Drama Director
MLS Theatre Company, Troupe 1422
Marion L Steele High School
Amherst, Ohio
Original Message:
Sent: 10-07-2016 12:04
From: Janet VanWess
Subject: gender neutral query
As we prepare to launch our fall play, one of my (female) students, who goes by 'she', but is gender neutral has asked if she can be in the men's dressing room for the run of the play the other 10 young men in the play. I'm guessing, since they're a pretty tight group of friends, that she won't get any push back, but something about this is making me uneasy. What if there is one boy who isn't okay with this? How do I honor all parties? Your thoughts are welcome...
Janet Van Wess
Theatre Arts Director
Liberty High School