This year has been a significant year for the LGBT+ community. LGBT+ students say they feel they live in a world where their rights are moving backwards due to the actions of the Trump administration.
Peri, a graduate of the class of 2025, said of his time at Montclair High School: “There have been notable ups and downs. I recall last year I had a teacher who was part of the LGBT+ community. I have never felt more supported than in that classroom (shoutout to her, you know who you are).”
However, Ryan Talmud, a rising sophomore, said that the school should “try to make subs more aware that they have to use preferred names,” which has been a problem at MHS.
The restroom situation for transgender and nonbinary students could also see improvement.
“If gendered bathrooms must exist in the school, there must be a place where nonbinary individuals can go, and I just haven’t seen enough of that at all,” Peri said. “This hurts students far more than words can describe.”
“I recall being at an event in Boston, and signs had been frequently posted that stated that the place was transgender friendly, and that any individual could use the bathroom they were most comfortable with,” Peri said. “A small gesture like this went such a fair way in making me feel comfortable. Signs like this are something I would love to see in MHS. It’s such a small thing that can seriously go such a far way for transgender individuals.”
On the positive side, all students interviewed reported that they felt very supported by most of their teachers throughout their time here, and where there were improvements needed. Those improvements were usually made.
Montclair High School is “certainly a more accepting place.” Peri said. “Despite all of the scary news in the world, I have felt especially safe in Montclair and am grateful for that.”
Peri also said of his peers that “In my 3 years of MHS, I’ve never had any negative experiences with students. I’ve felt supported in my social circles.”
Another important aspect of school that does not just apply to LGBT+ people is education about gender identity and gender roles.
“I’ve had health classes that completely swept transgender and/or queer students under the rug completely.” Said Peri. “The education on LGBT+ individuals is difficult to come by as it is. Even now, I learn new and crucial things about my own body that our education system has severely neglected.”
On the flip side, Talmud said the education he’s received about gender identity at MHS has shed light on the cultural viewpoint of many different parts of the world. “I feel that I wouldn’t have learned what I did about the third gender in India and many other places a few years ago and am glad that I did.”
