Leadership magazine Sept/Oct 2015 V45 No 1 | Page 25

sexual-orientation-gender-identity-genderexpression).
If you keep human rights at the core of
how you operate and treat people, then understanding sexuality is not essential, because you understand all human beings have
a right to equality regardless of their sexual
orientation or gender identity. More and
more people who live a public life are “coming out.” Before there was Caitlyn there was
Ellen, Rosie, Elton, Ricky, Jodie, Portia,
and the list goes on and on back through to
the beginning of time.
It is important that we have public figures
who are willing to tell the world they are
LGBT because it opens a path for the rest
of us who are trying to make our way in our
given professions. They all had a lot to lose,
and so do we. More importantly, so do our
students.
We are adults who are LGBT or allies,
and we made it through childhood. Suicide
is the second leading cause of death among
young people ages 10 to 24, and LGB youth
are four times more likely, and questioning

youth are three times more likely, to attempt suicide as their straight peers. Nearly
half of young transgender people have seriously thought about taking their lives, and
one-quarter report having made a suicide
attempt (www.thetrevorproject.org). These
statistics alone serve as our call to action.

Our work is people – All people
Not every administrator is willing to be
on the forefront in supporting LGBT students and staff, and it is understood that personal bias may impede progress. However,
as leaders, you are reminded that our work is
people – all people. We must do what we can
to ensure that our students and employees
thrive at school and at work. Don’t wait for
someone else to make this a reality in your
workplace. Let the action come from you,
because if not you, then who? n

Julie A. Vitale is superintendent, Romoland
School District.

September/October 2015

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