In a heartfelt plea during a recent Wilson County School Board meeting in Tennessee, Lindsey Patrick-Wright, a concerned mother, exposed the cruel insults hurled at her sixth-grade child, Pippy, by their classmates. Here’s the full story.
The Bullying
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Patrick-Wright shared these distressing accounts to shed light on the pervasive bullying and discrimination her child faced due to their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Relentless Bullying
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The litany of abuse included deeply hurtful remarks.
They Came Out in Fourth Grade
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Pippy, who came out as lesbian in fourth grade and later adopted they/them pronouns, endured a tumultuous school year, frequently coming home upset.
They Aren’t Alone
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Their experiences reflect a broader issue of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments that have gained traction across the United States.
New Legislation
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Various states have introduced or enacted legislation seeking to erode LGBTQ+ rights for individuals of all ages, including restrictions on gender-affirming care, limitations on pronoun usage in schools, bans on drag shows, and constraints on freedom of speech.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Sentiments Are on the Rise
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The state of Tennessee alone has seen 491 bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community proposed, with 25 bills either advancing or passed into law.
They Found Support
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Against this backdrop, Pippy managed to find solace in a supportive group of friends and a few teachers, and a counselor at the school who tried to create a safe space for them.
Abuse Happened on Uncontrolled Places
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However, the abuse predominantly occurred in areas where teachers had limited control, such as school buses, hallways, and cafeterias.
As Lindsey Patrick-Wright pointed out, these are challenging environments for staff to moderate behavior.
The Mother Shared Her Thoughts
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Patrick-Wright expressed her empathy for the educators and administrators, emphasizing that she holds elected officials responsible for allowing such harmful rhetoric to persist within homes and communities.
She Had Always Spoken Out
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She has actively engaged in Tennessee school board meetings, previously speaking out against book bans and the efforts of certain groups to undermine the public education system.
She Wanted to Protect Her Child
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However, until now, she refrained from discussing her child’s experiences to shield them from further scrutiny and harm. But, recent developments have prompted a change in approach.
The Child Wanted to Attend Virtual Schooling
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Pippy expressed their desire to attend a virtual school in the upcoming academic year to escape the bullying they faced in person.
Freedom
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This decision provided Patrick-Wright with the freedom to openly share her child’s experiences without fear of retribution.
It also allowed her to advocate for other parents who may not be ready to speak out and for students who are unable to voice their struggles.
Storm Clouds on the Horizon
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Several commenters shared their thoughts on the incident. One wrote, “This is what they want, to push all of us out of public life.”
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The post Mother’s Support for Fourth-Grader’s ‘Genderqueer Lesbian’ Identity Amid Growing Debate Over Youth Gender Expression first appeared on Thrifty Guardian.
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