Transgender Teen Gets School To Install Gender Neutral Bathrooms
CHICAGO (CBS) -- When 18-year old Jonas Valentine came out as transgender in January, he felt isolated at school at first.
"They then isolated me into the teachers' locker room," Valentine said. "They said students felt 'uncomfortable' with me in the normal locker room and bathroom. At first I felt like it was fair to the students, but now I'm realizing how unfair it is to myself."
Soon after, the senior at Round Lake High School petitioned the administration for gender neutral bathrooms.
"I just got out of a meeting with the principal, and the first thing he said was 'What can we do to make you feel comfortable?' Then I was told that they are going to be putting four gender neutral bathrooms in the school," Valentine said.
Valentine said he was able to get nearly 200 signatures in support of his cause. He's just glad he was able to make a difference for other transgender students like him.
"I'm very happy. I started this petition only four to five days ago. I've always wanted to make a difference in somebody's life especially those in similar situations makes me really, really happy," said Valentine.
Podcast
Valentine said he has some classes that are far from the gym, so "I have to run to make it to the bathroom and be back in time for class. I've gotten used to holding it in whenever I need to use the restroom, because it's such a far distance."
He said students at the school have had mixed reactions.
"From my fellow students, I've gotten a fair share of support and [yet there are] those who don't support me," Valentine told Care2 via email. "Some classmates respect my decisions and refer to me in male pronouns, while others flat out call me by my legal name and female pronouns because they say they know it 'irritates' me."
Although Valentine is graduating soon, he says he's happy the school will create a gender-neutral bathroom so that future transgender students don't have to feel isolated.
"I'm hoping that future trans students are able to get that comfort that they need, to not be afraid of whatever may happen if they come out. I hope to some day return to see that there is a difference being made. That trans students like me won't walk around with their head down afraid to show the whole school who they really are. To embrace who they really are on the inside," he said.
