So, last week, I spent three days with my oldest, August, at Ithaca College for orientation. August will be starting there next month as a freshman. We both had a great time and I discovered time and again that my kid had found the perfect place to go to school.
As the orientation process is set up to keep the parents and students completely separated for three days, I had many opportunities to make lots of friends with other parents. Each time, as we would introduce ourselves, I inevitably got this question, “So, do you have a son or daughter?”
Yeah… that.
I found myself each time taking a deep breath, smiling and starting with either, “Sort of” or “You would think so!”
When your kid does not identify as male or female, it is an awkward question to answer.
Let me clarify, though. It was not awkward because I disagree with August. It’s not awkward because other people reacted poorly. And it was not awkward because I am embarrassed by the situation.
It is awkward because it is such a simple question that really cannot be answered with a simple answer.
So, I ended up giving each parent I met a mini lesson on agender and transgender. I was greeted with the most compassionate, supportive and genuinely interested responses. Not once was I given a side eye. No one walked away from me and started whispering. I heard a lot of, “That’s great!” and “So how will they find a roommate?” The questions were kind and honest.
All of this was further proof that Ithaca is the place for August. In case you wonder how we found such an amazing place, when August was a junior, Ithaca was #1 for transgender students. It is now #2, but still way up there!!! Go Bombers!
For more information:
http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-colleges-for-lgbt-students/
