[Madison]

I thought the questions were below were valuable and did a bit of digging this weekend to better understand the policies adopted by Seattle Public Schools.

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

I have a few questions:

• Any mentors have advice on best practices to develop environment conducive towards inclusion of minorities (and specifically LGBT+ students)?

While perhaps not the same, I can speak a bit about what seems to work on my team to make ethnic minorities and women seek us out. I think all of it falls under the umbrella of 'visibility.'

Our team has been headed by a Chinese woman, Donna, and her family for most of its history. She understands the challenges faced by many students in our schools more than, say, someone like me ever could. Consequently, the students and -- most importantly -- their families trust her. In the past, she's had to visit several students' homes to get their families to allow them to be part of the team, but she's never failed to get it to happen. If someone wants to be on the team, she'll find a way to make it happen.

The team is also led by women. Donna handles all of the team's administrative needs. I lead the engineering team and have been the drive coach since I joined the team in 2005.

The team is very present in its community. We focus our outreach heavily on recruitment. I've lost track of the number of students that have joined our team instead of others that are based in the school they attend or nearer to their homes because they interacted with us at an event and felt more comfortable with us.

• Any mentors familiar with common public school policies surrounding these topics?

Our team operates its field trips using rules set by Seattle Public Schools. We haven't had to deal with an openly LGBTQ student in about ten years, however.

Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action: Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students

Originally Posted by From Above Link

• Names/Pronouns: Students shall have the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity consistently asserted at school.
  ...
• Restroom Accessibility: A student should be provided access to a restroom facility that corresponds to the gender identity the students consistently asserts at school.
  ...
• Dress Codes: Students shall have the right to dress in accordance with the gender identity they consistently assert at school, within the constraints of the dress codes adopted at their school site.
  ...
• Gender Segregation in Other Areas: As a general rule, in any other circumstances where students are separated by gender in school activities, students shall be permitted to participate in accordance with the gender identity they consistently assert at school.

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

• If hotel assignments are a "red herring" in these conversations, are there other "real" challenges towards inclusiveness/equity that mentors face when serving LGBT+ students?

I'm as guilty as anyone of treating these subjects like it's debate club, but I wanted to include another link here -- http://www.thetrevorproject.org/page...-about-suicide -- to remind folks that mentoring kids can be a lot more than just showing them how to design robots. This is the stuff that matters more than anything else.

Moving on...

Originally Posted by anonymous123

And that is the fundamental point where we disagree, Madison. I do not (can not) know what it feels like to be "trapped in a man's body", to “have no choice”.

I won't say much to address this or the rest of the paragraph that followed since my thoughts echo those of others who've already responded.

I am afraid of dogs. I feel nothing but terror when I'm around a dog. My good friends are absolutely in love with their dog and, though I can't imagine how that's possible, I don't disbelieve that it's true. I respect them enough to take what they say as truth and realize that my discomfort is less important than their happiness. Maybe there are parallels to be drawn here; maybe not.

How do you feel about sharing a public restroom with everyone, not just women?

Couldn't care less.