My name is Mya. I’m 14 years older, I have two daughters and I am the youngest. I live with my parents, one of my daughters, and a lot more community members who live close by. I’m in seventh grade, and second year I’ll get a freshman in high school. I love Tucson because it’s where I’m from, where my home is, and where my society is. As a student, I want to spend my time hanging out with my friends, practicing a new praise program, or planning my quinceañera.
But, because I’m trans, I also have to worry about politicians in Phoenix creating difficulties where few exist.
My mother and I were now discussing social transition when I was 8 and in the second degree, when I was living as the girl I’ve always been. The intention was for me to complete all of that in the fourth degree, when I would begin a new academic year.
But no one should have to wait to be themself, so I went straight to the principal’s office to tell her,” I’m Mya. That’s who I am”.
Since then, the vast majority of my peers, teachers and school administrators have supported me. My mother again asked my director,” What happens if other kids have queries”? The principal said,” You do n’t worry about that”, and that the principal would handle any questions. It’s important for people to be able to request issues, but that primary allowed my family and me to focus on the reason I’m in class: to get a good education.
I would like to see Republican lawmakers step in my shoes and tell me that they are solving a problem that does n’t exist.
I would like to see Republican lawmakers step in my shoes and tell me that they are solving a problem that does n’t exist.
I’ve been using the woman’s room since second degree, and no one cares. Republicans seem so concerned about where people like me urinate, which is crazy that I even have to say that. All I’m doing is the exact same thing as everyone else, which is why my classmates do n’t care: It’s not their problem, and so they do n’t judge or treat me differently than any other girl.
Why are n’t these Republicans focusing on issues that really matter when they were elected to help people in our state? The data reveals that LGBTQ students who have experienced discrimination are more likely to miss classes, have lower GPAs, and be less likely to grad. This is the kind of discrimination that politicians are trying to pass into law. Our elected leaders may be concerned about those issues and about supporting the LGBTQ community rather than focusing on us.
There are a few payments that I’m particularly concerned about. Additionally, Senate Bill 1166 may make it more difficult for instructors to use the correct names and pronouns for pupils. In some cases, teachers might even have to choose the incorrect people. Senate Bill 1182 would force me to use the kids ‘ room, making me less safe. Additionally, Senate Bill 1628 had completely update Arizona law.
I’ve spoken with elected officials in Arizona to explain how these expenses would hurt me and many other Arizonans. I hope the elected officials are listening because we need more compassion and less love.
Most trans people are aware that we simply want to live and let live. I hope everyone who disagrees on this point will believe that it’s wrong to criticize and discriminate against someone just for living their lives and being who they are, even transgender persons.
I hope Arizona’s elected officials may vote to accept SB1166, SB1182, SB1628 and any other expenses targeting the transgender community.
Mya and her family live in Tucson and are in the ninth grade. Her home requested that the Arizona Mirror publish her previous name, but it is not.
