Menntaskólinn við Sund has a duty to support their trans students

It is the duty of schools to make sure that their students feel safe at school. It is their job to create an environment where all students are allowed to flourish and are celebrated for being who they are, writes Ugla Stefanía, referring to a school that is not allowing a trans boy to use his new name.

OPINION I remember the feeling when I first disclosed my trans identity at school. I was incredibly anxious and nervous about how everyone at school were going to treat me, both the students and staff. Would they accept me? Would they use the right name? How would the administrative side of it work? Would the teachers be able to use my new name? Or would they continue to use my old name? Would I be made a laughing-stock?

I grew up on a farm in rural north-west of Iceland. As you can imagine, being trans wasn’t a topic many talked about. I went to menntaskóli (mix between high school and college) at age 16 in a nearby town with a population of around 16.000 people, and there I finally felt like I had the opportunity to be myself. With the help and support of my friends, I finally disclosed to everyone my trans identity. I remember those first days walking down the school corridor. I felt like everyone was staring. I felt like everyone were judging me. It caused me incredible distress, but as the weeks went by it slowly became easier and easier.

“Currently, they are reading out his old name during name calling and all his assignments, tests and documents are on his old name. His parents have reported this to the Ministry of Education, that has refused to take the matter further.”

The second person I ever told I was trans was my student councillor at Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri. I told her because I trusted her and I knew she would do her absolute best to help me. Not only did she immediately show her support and offered to help me inform the other staff at school, but she also helped me with my first steps of seeking medical care to start a medical transition. She went out of her way to help me and support me even beyond the walls of the school.

It clearly says in the equality and human rights policy of Menntaskólinn við Sund that no student should be discriminated against because of who they are, and people who belong to minorities should be equal and have equal opportunities within the school.

Once I was ready to start using my new name and pronouns, she and other staff at the school made sure there was a meeting set up with the rest of the staff, where they were informed of this. They were all asked to respect my new name and pronouns and were told to use them at all times. Teachers that had me in class were to make sure they used my new name during name calling and preferably on assignments, tests and other documents where possible. This was long before I got my legal name change, but they made sure they accommodated my needs and made sure that I was comfortable as possible.

Not only did this have positive impact on my well-being, but it also allowed me to continue my studies and flourish as a student. I was being respected for who I was, and they created an environment for me that affirmed me and my identity. Aside from a few slip ups to start with, all teachers and staff never used my old name again. This was around 10 years ago.

This is why I was outraged when a young trans boy called Dalvin Smári informed me at a conference earlier this month that his school was not allowing him to use his new name. In a recent episode of Hinseginleikinn on national television in Iceland, he describes his experiences. He recently came out and has been in fighting with his school, Menntaskólinn við Sund, to have it changed within the system. Currently, they are reading out his old name during name calling and all his assignments, tests and documents are on his old name. His parents have reported this to the Ministry of Education, that has refused to take the matter further. This would’ve been my worst nightmare when I was at school. It would’ve totally crushed me, and I am so thankful to Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri for respecting me and making sure I felt supported at school.

“It has hard to imagine what is the reasoning of the school and the headmaster not wanting to change their name.”

Several primary schools, secondary schools and at the University of Iceland already allow trans students to change their names within their system despite what their legal name might be. This is vitally important for the well-being of students, and shows an effort in making sure these schools are welcoming of trans students. Trans people have to wait for up to 2 years to have their name legally changed within the system, and you are only able to do so after you turn 18. Trans kids and teenagers are therefore forced to carry a legal name for many years before they can have it changed. The least their school can do is to help and support them.

Several primary schools, secondary schools and at the University of Iceland already allow trans students to change their names within their system despite what their legal name might be.

It has hard to imagine what is the reasoning of the school and the headmaster not wanting to change their name. I am left to wonder whether it is a case of them simply not being well-informed enough about trans issues and if they are not aware of the gravity of the situation. Not only would this be a very simple change to make within the administrative system, but it would be very easy inform the teachers of Dalvin’s new name. The fact they are unwilling to accommodate trans students shows a lack of understanding towards the struggles trans people face and must be driven by ignorance and even prejudice. This wasn’t a problem 10 years ago at my school, and it certainly shouldn’t be today, in 2018.

It is the duty of schools to make sure that their students feel safe at school. It is their job to create an environment where all students are allowed to flourish and are celebrated for being who they are. No student should have to feel distressed and anxious at school because they aren’t being accepted as who they are. This has a serious negative impact on the well-being of this particular student, and will have on all current and future students that are trans. It’s not acceptable for an institution that is supposed to offer quality education and a learning environment to discriminate against their students in this way.

It clearly says in the equality and human rights policy of Menntaskólinn við Sund that no student should be discriminated against because of who they are, and people who belong to minorities should be equal and have equal opportunities within the school. It is time to put the policy into practice and make sure trans students are respected and supported.

I therefore challenge Menntaskólinn við Sund to make these changes and allow Dalvin Smári’s name and identity to be recognised. If they require help with the process, I am more than certain that Samtökin ‘78 or Trans Ísland would be more than willing to offer their help and support. They offer lectures and support on queer issues to schools, which by the sound of it, is sorely needed.

Note: The opinions and viewpoints expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the editorial staff of www.gayiceland.is.

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

—————-

Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

Webpage/vefsetur

Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
    - award-winning chocolate maker

      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

      Our creative flavors are carefully crafted by meticulous chocolate makers. The cacao beans are roasted, winnowed, ground, and refined into melty-smooth chocolate.

      Omnom’s process is one of constant exploration, invention, and experimentation. If it doesn’t please us, if something isn’t absolutely delicious, there’s no reason to be doing it. So, we always start with our taste buds and follow our instincts. Our team searches for the finest ingredients in the world and new ways to improve chocolate. This obsession with knowing where our ingredients come from has led us around the corner to dairy farms in the Icelandic countryside and all the way to rainforest cacao farms of Nicaragua.

      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

        Our unique position at the center of the capital markets allows us to see firsthand how these values have redefined corporate culture and success, deepening and accelerating our own commitment to champion inclusive growth and prosperity, as we strive to create more equitable opportunities to help people of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Most notably, we published our diversity statistics for the first time in 2020. These metrics serve as a quantitative assessment of where we are today and help determine what strategies we need to adopt to enhance diversity in the workplace. We recognize that we have much work to do, but we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture—one that reflects the communities in which we live, allows all employees to be their true, authentic selves and fosters individual growth and achievement.

        As we move forward together, we will continue advancing diverse ideas and perspectives that help fulfill the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous world. We aim to set the pace for rethinking capital markets and economies anywhere and everywhere. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
        comes from 2.000 meters within the earth where seawater and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of porous lava and searing heat. Propelled by extreme pressure, the water ascends to the earth’s surface, emerging enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the elements that endow Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater with its radiant, healing properties.

        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
        geothermal lagoons, a subterranean spa, a renowned line of skin care, a thriving research center, and a wealth of spa and refreshment facilities.

        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

        Landsbankinn’s strategy is to provide comprehensive financial services that meet customer’s needs. It emphasizes providing exemplary service to customers, developing e-banking for their convenience, increasing the efficiency of support functions, modernizing its technology and ensuring effective utilization of its balance sheet.

        The bank’s vision is to be exemplary and its role is to be a trusted financial partner.

        Special emphasis is placed on promoting a performance-oriented culture in the bank. To follow up on the implementation of this strategy, the bank has defined key goals which are measured regularly to determine progress. These goals include, for example, customer satisfaction and loyalty, profitability, cost efficiency and the correlation between risk appetite and employee satisfaction.

        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

          Macland is located at Laugavegur 23 (101, Downtown Reykjavik)
          For all your Apple needs. We are here.

          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

          Ísey skyr builds on this remarkable legacy. It was some of those very same women, the recipients of their mothers’ expertise, who, around 90 years ago, taught Icelandic dairy scientists the art of skyr-making. The production process is more high-tech these days, and the quality standards more rigorous. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Protein rich, fat-free, creamy and delicious – Ísey skyr is as relevant to consumers now as it was all those centuries ago.
          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

          Contact Us


          PGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20vbWFwcy9lbWJlZD9wYj0hMW0xNCExbTEyITFtMyExZDI3ODQyLjM0NzA2NDA3OTU4ITJkLTIxLjkwMDg1MDg1NzkxODQyITNkNjQuMTQxNzA3ODE2NzAyMDEhMm0zITFmMCEyZjAhM2YwITNtMiExaTEwMjQhMmk3NjghNGYxMy4xITVlMCEzbTIhMXNlbiEycyE0djE0MzMzMzc5MTUyMjYiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyPSIwIiBzdHlsZT0iYm9yZGVyOjAiPjwvaWZyYW1lPg==
          Thank You. We will contact you as soon as possible.