I study architecture, I’ve been at this school going on 3 years now although I’ve only completed my first year before taking a break. I think I’ve been subject to abusive behavior by administrators, teachers, and students. I’ve overheard school secretaries refer to me as ‘the ugly one’, teachers talk down to me, students heckle me while I present my projects, and it’s obvious this is motivated by transphobic bigotry.
I emailed the lady in charge of my program, the person who recruited me because I felt like she might be someone I can confide in. I detailed several stories and instances of harassment.
She wrote back to me today saying,
‘I hope you find yourself well, I profoundly regret that you’ve felt this way at the School.
The Dean of the school and I want to schedule a meeting with you next week to discuss this situation, preferably in the morning and not on tuesday since she has class.
Thanks’
I honestly don’t know what I expected from the email I sent. I just wanted to share my pain with someone, someone I barely know but think might be an ally since they recruited me in the first place. I don’t and didn’t expect them to actually do anything about it.
Am I wrong for reading this response and thinking none of these people actually care, and that they’re going to run a train on my ass in the meeting to cover up any legal issues?
Should I, like, be bringing a lawyer or something?
Contact any advocacy services to bring someone from them as a support person. Most campuses will have a student advocate as a part of the student union.
You may also be able to find a support person in any local LGBT organisations.
Failing an ‘official’ support person, bring along a friend. Even if they just sit there, having someone else to observe will make the school tread more carefully, and give a second perspective to help you confirm how fucked up the response is.
At this stage a lawyer is overkill, especially if you have to pay for it.
There are no groups for my demo around here, nobody gives a fuck about people like me. I’m thinking about just not replying because all I really want is a shoulder to cry on and it’s clear from this response that’s not what I’m going to get. It was emotionally charged without being accusatory or offensive, I’ve at least got this on record so the next person who harasses me will bear the full weight of consequences.