So, our sister (14F) has a school counselor, I believe, in her school. She is going to see her again this year. (We use we because we’re plural).
The counselor says she cannot affirm the identities of people who are LGBTQ+, such as gay, bi, or under the trans umbrella. She also believes that being transgender is linked to mental illness and that she can’t affirm people who are trans because it will “make their mental health worse” or something. The host is transmasc and when she referred to him as her brother, who happens to be trans, she said that he was really a girl and that in 2 years, he would “grow out of it”.
In my opinion, it sounds unprofessional but I can’t talk to anyone I know because they would agree with the counselor.
This feels like bait. If you’re serious, then go up the chain of command. Everyone has a boss. Your sister’s counselor should not be trying to convince your sister that her brother needs to change. Your sister’s counselor really should have no opinion of kids (or adults) not under their charge, and if she does have an opinion, she should keep it to herself.
You and your sister probably have more allies than you suspect.
Thank you so much. No, it is not bait, just worded weirdly. Thank you.
Is this genuinely the counselor’s opinion, or are they echoing the opinion of the person who can fire them? Is there some screwed up law/school policy that says they “can’t affirm LGBTQ+ identities”?
Nope, they highly support the LGBTQ at the school
Good. Maybe you can do something to get that counselor replaced, then.
You don’t need the affirmation of stupid people. That being said, you do probably come of as a bit of a loony when you start referring to yourself as “The host” and “We”.
Thanks. Lots of people who have alters do it.
My comment came off as a bit harsh. I don’t see anything wrong with it, but it will be hard to get any kind of change from such a conservative community when you layer on pluralism on top of the rest.
Tbh, I would start planning and prioritize moving away from such a toxic environment. Easier said then done most times though.
Ohh, I get it. (Using I for simplicity) Is this advice community conservative or just the people my sister is with? For that, my sister thankfully doesn’t mention it to the counselor that I’m plural because she doesn’t know.
I think most people’s immediate reaction to hearing someone refer to themselves as we may be the royal we instead of simply being plural. I don’t have any issue or negative reaction to the idea of a plural sense of self, but we feels pretentious for those reason. It should go without saying that you can identify however you like, I just like talking about words.
Also, it’s totally outside the ethical bounds of a school counselor to affirm or deny anyone.
